I did a previous post on wearing elf ears using slip-on ear cuffs, but I got a lot of requests for applying realistic elf ears with latex. I happen to use a latex-free product for my own elf ears and costume prosthetic pieces, which requires less layers to build up. Keep reading for details on the process I use to apply them and blend them into my real ears.

If you’d like the simple pointed ear cuff tutorial, just click here.

How to Apply Elf Ears

You’ll need three things for this: ears, spirit gum and 3-D Gel by Mehron. I’ve used 3-D gel for years, and it’s great for blending prosthetic special f/x pieces. It’s latex-free and gelatin based. Latex usually takes me three or four layers to blend, while I can do it in one or two with the gel.

Click here to find Mehron 3-D Gel

Preparation for Applying Ears

My ears above are a little old and worn, but they still work. They just needed a fresh coat of makeup. You can use ears of any size or type, as long as they open up for your own ear to fit inside. Make sure the ear matches your skin color before you put it on! Use makeup to adjust the color.

The first thing to do is prep the 3-D Gel, which needs to be heated. Put a cup of water in the microwave for about two minutes and then drop your gel bottle in the cup. Let it sit while you prepare your ears. Flip the bottle upside down for a bit as well, so all the gel gets heated.

Make sure you have secured all your hair out of the way before you get started, because you do not want to get it caught up in the spirit gum or gel!

Directions:

1) Open up ear and apply spirit gum inside, making sure you get all the ends covered.

2) Fit elf ear over your ear and press the ear into place. Spirit gum takes a few minutes to get tacky and stick, so press and release a few times to make it tacky. make sure you have the ear very well stuck to your own ear all around the edges.

3) Once you get the ear stuck on and the spirit gum is dry, use a small drop of 3-D gel to blend the edges. My picture is not that clear, but you can still see how much gel I used. The gel is moldable, so you can put it on and move it around a bit and smooth down the edges.

Give the gel a little bit to dry and then apply a second layer. I usually wait about 20 minutes, but it depends on how thick your first layer is. It usually only takes two layers but keep going until the ear looks smoothly attached. The picture below is layer one.

4) Once it is dry, cover the gel parts with a little bit of makeup to blend everything and then set with powder. I use a small brush to apply both the foundation makeup and the powder. My favorite setting powder for this is Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder. The powder will also help take care of any leftover stickiness from the gel.

And that’s it! You should now have a very realistic elf ear attached to your head. If you are wondering about how to remove it, I just pull it off. This is why it’s so important to get all your hair out of the way. If any gets stuck in there, it hurts a bit to pull it off!

Using this method, your ears will stay on all day and are so lightweight you’ll forget you have them on!

About the Author

Candy Keane is a digital content creator and long-time cosplayer, most well-known for being on the cover of the Star Wars documentary Jedi Junkies. After making costumes professionally for over a decade, she now writes about geek culture and mom life, and continues to cosplay for fun, while sharing her love of costumes on Instagram @SewGeekMama. Her first children’s book, I’m Going to My First Comic Convention, was published in 2020 and won a Story Monsters Approved award for Excellence in Literature.

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