Hera Syndulla Silicone Lekku

$195.00

Quantity

This sale is for a made-to-order Hera style SILICONE lekku headpiece with Hera's tattoo pattern.

Shipping Time:
Every lekku headpiece is made to order, and will be cast, stuffed, and shipped as quickly as possible. The final shipping time will depend on how many orders I have in my work queue, and how complicated the designs are. Please be patient, and know that I'm always casting and shipping as fast as I can!

My Order Spreadsheet:

I have a Google spreadsheet where I keep a list of my current orders. It only shows each person's name and what style of headpiece they ordered, but it lets everyone know how many orders I have at any given time and they can watch their names move up to the top of the list as I ship out headpieces. I also post occasional notes and updates at the top of the spreadsheet. If you would like to see the spreadsheet, you can find it here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12ugjiqRntBPM5Ue8DflZravJT7kmnhdqrkMJJbRcR44/edit?usp=sharing

Tattoo Pattern:

The tattoo pattern is cast permanently into the silicone. Hand painted tattoos have a straight, hard edge. Airbrushed tattoos have a soft, fuzzy edge.

Head Sizing Options:

The tattoo Hera style headpieces are made in only one size. The mold is 21 inches in diameter and will stretch to accommodate larger head sizes. Please note that the Hera style mold is trimmed back to match the shape of Hera's flight cap, so it does not encase the costumer's head as much as the other styles of lekku. For some people, this makes it more difficult to keep the headpiece secure. You may need a more secure head wrap to hold the lekku in place.

Ear Cones:

I will include one pair of matching ear cones with this headpiece, in case you want to use it for other costumes.

Length and Flexibility:

These lekku are 25 inches in length when cast. They stretch a bit when they're stuffed, and may get a little bit longer when worn since the silicone can stretch a bit under its own weight.

LEKKU COLOR OPTIONS (Shown in Sample Picture):

ALCOHOL and HYBRID PAINTS:

These paints come in liquid form in a bottle. They are more expensive than water based paint, but being able to wear the paint all day without having to worry about the paint rubbing or sweating off makes it worth every penny. They also have a more natural "skin" look, rather than looking like a visible layer of paint on top of the skin.

1. Reel Creations Mix

(ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE USA) Reel Creations is an alcohol based paint which must be applied with an airbrush. Excellent durability, does not tend to rub or sweat off, and must be removed with body paint remover because soap and water don't work. This is a very close match to the reference pictures of Hera. It is a blend of 3 parts Avocado Toner, 1 part Green, and 5 parts Lite Toner. I offer this mix on my website, but due to postal regulations for liquids that contain alcohol I can only ship it to addresses within the U.S.

2. ProAiir Hybrid Mix

Can be applied with a paint brush or sponge, but airbrush application can give better results. ProAiir paint is widely available and is nearly as durable and waterproof as Reel Creations. Slightly more brownish in tone than the Reel Creations mix, but still an excellent match for Hera's color. It is a blend of 1 part Olive and 1 part ST10 flesh tone. While this paint can be removed with soap and water, it is faster to take it off with body paint remover.

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WATER BASED PAINTS:

These paints are water based and come in a dry cake. You must wet the cake and apply the paint with a brush or sponge. Water based paints are less expensive, but they have a tendency to rub or sweat off over time. Setting sprays can help them last longer, but it is important to keep the layers as thin as possible. Thicker layers of paint and setting spray or powder will cause the paint to rub off more easily. These paints are easy to remove with soap and water.

3. MAC Chromacake in True Chartreuse

This is a good match for Hera's color. The cakes of MAC paint are more expensive than other brands, but they are also two or three times larger than the other brands. One cake of MAC paint will last a very long time! I do offer this paint for sale on my website for those who would like to ship a cake of paint with their lekku.

4. Kryolan Aquacolor 534

This is a popular color choice for Hera, but it is my least favorite. I find the paint to be a very yellow-brown shade that is difficult to color match, and the tattoos don't show up as well as they do with other colors. This paint also has a tendency to leave a yellow stain on the skin that takes extra scrubbing to remove.

5. Graftobian ProPaint in Alien Green

This is a nice match for Hera's color.

6. FAB in Lemon Lime

This paint is a bit too green for Hera, but it is a nice color if you prefer a less olive shade of paint.

Custom Color:

If you would like me to use another brand/color of paint, select "Custom Color" in the dropdown menu, and then when you go to the shopping cart page, just click on the "Add a note to this order" link and tell me which color you want me to use when casting your lekku! Please note that some colors are very pale or yellow in tone, and the tattoo patterns don't show up well against them. If you select a color that doesn't work well with the tattoos, I will let you know and give you the chance to confirm that color choice or make a change. (Mehron Lime is an example of a color that really doesn't work well with the tattoos. It is very yellow in tone, and I occasionally have trouble casting lekku in this color. I have to use a very large amount of yellow pigment which makes the silicone stiffer and heavier than other colors.)

Durability:

Unlike latex lekku, which can begin to crack after a while, silicone lasts quite a long time. My oldest silicone headpiece is nine years old, and it is still in perfect shape even after traveling back and forth across the country for quite a few conventions. Silicone is prone to tearing under some conditions, however. It won't tear without a starting point, so you must be careful not to create a weakened point where a rip might get started. This is primarily a concern around the edges of the head opening. When trimming away excess silicone, make sure to cut a straight line with your scissors. If you leave a jagged edge, that point can begin to tear. Cut a smooth, even line and it won't be a problem! Stuffing: The lekku are filled with pillow stuffing. I reinforce the top curves of the lekku with a layer of firmer silicone and then they are filled with a soft expanding foam which preserves the shape of the curve. Please note that because of the wonderful stretch of silicone, sometimes it is really difficult to remove every trace of 'sagging' in that area where the lekku curve out from the head. Even after years of making silicone lekku I've never been able to fully eliminate that issue!

Weight:

These lekku average between 1.4 and 1.7 pounds. The weight varies because I can't always use the exact same amount of silicone, stuffing, and expanding foam. I try to keep everything within the same range, however, based on the results I've found to work the best. The silicone itself averages one pound, and the rest of the weight comes from the stuffing.

Static:

Silicone is more prone to building up a static charge than anything else I've ever worked with. It's not a huge problem for costumers, just keep in mind that pillow stuffing fibers, loose bristles from paint brushes, and bits of hair will inevitably be found stuck to your headpiece. For the extra wiggle of silicone, though.... it's worth it. You can rub baby powder on the lekku to reduce the static and shine of the silicone.

Glue:

Nothing sticks to silicone! If you want to attach a decoration permanently to the lekku, typical glues like rubber cement won't work. Instead, you must use a silicone specific adhesive. I recommend Sil-Poxy, which is sold by Smooth-On. If the foam stuffing starts to come out of the lekku after a while, you can also use the Sil-Poxy to glue it back into place, and if the headpiece ever develops a tear, Sil-Poxy can be used to apply a patch.

International Orders:

If you're an international customer, please review your country's import policy before purchasing. Customs fees and import taxes are the sole responsibility of the buyer. As a business owner I cannot declare on the customs paperwork that the lekku are a gift, or that they have a very low value.

Photographs:

The photos shown in this sale are not the same lekku headpiece which is for sale. They are examples. The lekku I ship will be cast from the same mold, and will look identical save for any natural variations in the silicone, colorant, and stuffing. Please keep in mind that colors appear different on different monitors.

I would be happy to help with any Twi'lek costuming questions, so please feel free to ask. Twi'lek costumes are a lot of work, especially since you have to do the body paint every time you wear them if you want to be an exotic color... but it's definitely worth the effort. It's really fun! People often stop you for a picture, and I have a good laugh every time somebody asks, "Can I touch your tentacles?" Good times!