The Skin Illustrator Starter Palette is the perfect entry-level palette for those taking their first steps with alcohol-activated makeups. It brings together 10 of the most versatile and in-demand colours, selected from the professional palettes in the Skin Illustrator range, in a compact format that fits in your pocket and works perfectly on set. If you're looking for an affordable and functional entry point into the world of special effects makeup, this palette is the strongest starting point.
Technical specifications
| Number of colours | 10 |
|---|
| Base | Alcohol (activated with isopropyl alcohol or specific activator) |
|---|
| Compatible surfaces | Skin, silicone, latex |
|---|
| Format | Compact starter palette |
|---|
| Compatible activators | Skin Illustrator Activator, Skin Illustrator Slow Activator, Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% |
|---|
| Recommended remover | Telesis Super Solv |
|---|
| Unsuitable alcohols | 70° alcohol, MEK, acetone, water |
|---|
What it's used for
This palette is designed for makeup artists starting out in special effects and for professionals who need a compact kit of base colours. The coverage and staying power of the Skin Illustrator range make it suitable not only for practice, but also for real on-set and on-set work.
- Special effects makeup (SFX) on real skin
- Painting and finishing silicone prosthetics
- Colouring and detailing latex pieces
- Theatre and television character makeup
- Practice and training in professional makeup
- On-set work where space and weight are critical factors
- Complement to more complete palettes such as the Flesh Tone Palette or the FX Palette
How to use it
- Prepare the surface to be made up: it must be clean, dry and free of grease.
- Activate the colour by moistening the brush with Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9%, with the Skin Illustrator Activator or with the Skin Illustrator Slow Activator. Never use 70° alcohol, water, MEK or acetone.
- Touch the moistened brush onto the chosen colour in the palette and mix if necessary directly on the palette or on a mixing tile.
- Apply the colour to skin, silicone or latex with controlled strokes. The colour dries in seconds as the alcohol evaporates.
- Layer colours to achieve greater coverage or mix colours for custom shades.
- To remove the makeup, use Telesis Super Solv with a cotton pad or soft brush.
Usage tips
Amount of activator: the key to coverage
The brush should be damp, not soaked. Too much activator dilutes the pigment and reduces opacity; too little doesn't fully activate it and the colour won't adhere properly. Practise finding the right level of moisture before working directly on the prosthetic or on the actor's skin.
Slow Activator for detail work
If you need more working time — blending, transitions or gradients — use the Skin Illustrator Slow Activator instead of isopropyl alcohol or the standard activator. The longer evaporation time gives you room to blend without the colour drying before you're done.
This palette as a starting point, not a limit
The Starter Palette brings together colours from the Flesh Tone, Dark Fleshtone, Complexion and FX Palette. Once you've mastered these 10 colours, adding any of those full palettes will open up a much wider range without needing to learn a new technique.
Frequently asked questions
What activates the colours in these palettes?
The colours in the Skin Illustrator Starter Palette are activated with Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9%, with the Skin Illustrator Activator or with the Skin Illustrator Slow Activator. It is essential to use high-purity alcohol (99%). 70° alcohol, water, acetone or MEK are not compatible and can ruin the result or damage the surface.
Can it be used on silicone prosthetics?
Yes. The Skin Illustrator Starter Palette is compatible with silicone, latex and skin. This is precisely one of its strengths for special effects work: you can use the same colours to paint the prosthetic and to blend the prosthetic with the actor's surrounding skin.
How long does makeup applied with these palettes last?
The Skin Illustrator range has very high staying power. On skin, the makeup withstands sweat and the normal wear of a film shoot or performance. The exact duration depends on the surface, the number of layers applied and environmental conditions, but it is significantly longer-lasting than conventional cream or powder makeups.
How is this type of makeup removed?
The recommended remover is Telesis Super Solv. It is applied with a cotton pad or soft brush to the made-up area and removed with gentle movements. Do not use water or soap as the primary removal method, as they are not effective on alcohol-activated pigments.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
The Skin Illustrator Starter Palette is formulated for use on skin and is common in professional productions with actors. However, if the model has particularly sensitive skin or known allergies, a patch test on a small area is recommended before full application, following the standard protocol for any professional cosmetic product.
What is the difference between this palette and the full palettes in the range?
The Starter Palette selects 10 representative colours from larger palettes such as the Flesh Tone Palette, the Dark Fleshtone Palette, the Complexion Palette and the FX Palette. It is more compact, more affordable and designed for getting started or for carrying in your pocket on set. The full palettes offer a wider variety of shades and more product.
Can colours be mixed together?
Yes. The colours in the Skin Illustrator range are completely miscible with each other. You can mix them directly on the palette, on a tile or on the brush itself to create intermediate shades or customise skin tones. This mixing capability is one of the key advantages of the system.
Is this palette suitable for full-body makeup?
Technically yes, but for large-scale work — full body or very large areas — standard palettes with a greater amount of product are more practical. The Starter Palette is optimised for detail work, facial areas and medium-sized jobs where selective coverage matters more than pigment volume.
