step 1

start with a clean face

step 2

add a very thin layer of white cream makeup or grey - a little black mixed with white, all over the face to remove the healthy glow.

step 3

add a touch of brown cream makeup below and above the eyes, in the lines from nose to mouth, in forehead creases, below the mouth, and around the lips to make the features seen sunken. If collar bone is exposed, emphasize this too.
Blend well.

step 4

add a touch of black cream makeup below above the eyes, along the eyebrows, in forehead creases, at the temples, in the cheek hollows, at the edge of the nostrils, below the mouth, and in the mouth corners to make the features seen more sunken.
Blend well.

step 5

add a dollop of liquid latex (white craft glue works too) for fake skin, in random areas, allow to dry, then tear gently, leaving the torn "skin" intact. Add a touch of brown makeup in the "holes".

step 6

insert fake rubber "rotten" teeth if you have them - for small mouths these applicances can be uncomfortable - cut them to fit. Or apply a little black cream makeup to the teeth to "rot" them.

step 7

add fake blood (preferably edible) around the mouth or elsewhere including the skin tears. Bleeding ears and eyes can be effective too. Mess the air up a lot. Use hairspray to hold if it won't stay messy. Dried leaves can be inserted for effect.

step 8

coloured contact lenses can be inserted to enhance the lifeless appearance. Blue, green, or purple makeup can also be applied in select areas to suggest bruised and rotten flesh.