The Hair Illustrator Hair Aging Palette is an alcohol-activated makeup palette designed specifically to simulate hair aging in a convincing and long-lasting way. Its 6 colors allow you to go from a subtle touch of grey to decades of aging, and are compatible with natural hair, wigs, skin, silicone and latex. It is the go-to tool for FX and character makeup artists who need professional results and real on-set staying power.
Technical specifications
| Number of colors | 6 |
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| Formula type | Alcohol makeup (alcohol-activated) |
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| Compatible surfaces | Natural hair, wigs, skin, silicone, latex |
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| Application method | Brush, sponge, mascara wand |
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| Recommended activator | Skin Illustrator Activator / Skin Illustrator Slow Activator / 96° ethyl alcohol |
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| Removal | Telesis Super Solv / Telesis Makeup Remover |
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| Compatible with | Full Skin Illustrator range |
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What it's used for
This palette is designed for film, television, theatre and character makeup artists who need to age an actor's hair quickly, with control and reversibility. The colors can be used individually or combined to achieve natural transitions between tones.
- Gradual grey simulation on natural hair or wigs
- Extreme aging: fully white or platinum grey hair
- Color correction and unification of wigs and hairpieces
- Painting punched hair on silicone or latex prosthetics
- Character aging applied to specific areas (temples, roots, sideburns)
- Dirt, dust or discoloration effects on hair
- Combination with other Skin Illustrator palettes for integrated skin and hair effects
How to use it
- Make sure the hair or surface is clean and free of oils, water or residue.
- Activate the chosen color with a few drops of Skin Illustrator Activator, Skin Illustrator Slow Activator or 96° ethyl alcohol. Never use 70° alcohol, MEK, acetone or water, as they will not correctly activate the pigment.
- Load the brush, sponge or mascara wand with the required amount of activated color.
- Apply to the hair or surface with smooth, controlled strokes, working in sections for a natural result.
- Blend colors from the same palette or other Skin Illustrator palettes wet-on-wet to create custom transitions and shades.
- Allow to dry. The color sets once the alcohol has evaporated.
- To remove the makeup, apply Telesis Super Solv or Telesis Makeup Remover and remove gently.
Usage tips
Control intensity with the amount of activator
The more activator you use, the more fluid and transparent the color will be. For dense coverage —such as heavily marked grey hair— load the brush with less liquid and apply in thin overlapping layers. For more subtle effects, dilute the color further and work in glazes.
Always work with 96° ethyl alcohol
The alcohol percentage is critical. 70° alcohol contains too much water and will not correctly activate the pigment, resulting in an uneven finish with poor staying power. Use exclusively isopropyl alcohol at 99.9% or 96° ethyl alcohol as an alternative to the official activator when necessary.
Combine with other Skin Illustrator palettes for complex integrations
If the work requires aging both skin and hair, mix this palette with the Skin Illustrator Flesh Tone Palette or the Skin Illustrator Complexion Palette to achieve a coherent and unified character look. All colors in the range are miscible with each other.
Frequently asked questions
What activates these colors?
The colors in the Hair Illustrator Hair Aging Palette are activated with Skin Illustrator Activator, Skin Illustrator Slow Activator or 96° ethyl alcohol. You can also use isopropyl alcohol at 99.9%. Never use 70° alcohol, MEK, acetone or water, as they prevent correct activation and reduce the adhesion and staying power of the color.
Is it suitable for use directly on skin?
Yes. The palette is compatible with skin, natural hair, wigs, silicone and latex. Its alcohol-based formulation is designed for professional character makeup use, making it suitable for skin application as long as the usage instructions are followed and it is removed correctly with the appropriate remover.
How long does the color last once applied?
Staying power is very high once the alcohol has dried. On wigs and prosthetics, the color holds without issue throughout an entire shooting day. On natural hair, durability depends on sweat and movement, though coverage can be easily touched up between takes.
How do you remove alcohol makeup from hair?
It is removed with Telesis Super Solv or Telesis Makeup Remover applied with a cotton pad or brush. On natural hair, a shampoo wash may be enough to clear residue, though the specific remover guarantees a complete clean without damaging hair fiber or prosthetics.
Can it be used on punched hair in silicone prosthetics?
Yes. This palette is especially suited for painting punched hair in silicone and latex prosthetics. It is one of its most common applications in character FX, where you need to unify or age the hair tone after the punching process using rooting needles.
Can the colors be mixed with each other?
Yes. All colors in the palette are miscible with each other and with any color in the Skin Illustrator range. You can mix them directly on the palette or apply them wet-on-wet on the surface to obtain custom transitions and shades.
Does the color need to be set with any additional product?
No. Alcohol-activated colors set on their own as the activator evaporates. No additional sealer is needed. If you need greater durability under extreme sweat conditions or outdoors, check the compatible setting products for the Skin Illustrator range.
What is the difference between using the official activator and ethyl alcohol?
The Skin Illustrator Activator and Slow Activator are specifically formulated to optimise adhesion, staying power and working time with these pigments. The Slow Activator slows down drying and is ideal for long blends or detailed work. 96° ethyl alcohol is a valid alternative for activating the color, but may dry faster and offer less staying power than the official activator on silicone or latex surfaces.
