When ordering the wig even a very rough sketch will prove of great assistance to the wig-maker.
The beard is also a great help in changing the shape of the face. The chin may be strengthened or modified by a suitable arrangement of the hair.
A great double chin of padded silk is sometimes worn round the neck, but this is only convincing when the chin is slightly bearded.
The foregoing alterations have almost all been in the shape of additions to the features. We will now consider how modifications may be made.
The first time that I played the part of a negro I found that I should not be able to imitate the flattened nose of the race unless I used some method to depress my own very prominent organ. I found that by holding the tip of my nose down with my finger I very nearly got the illusion I required. I next took a piece of strong sewing silk, and first protecting the skin of my nose with a piece of kid, passed the silk over this, and tying this at the back of my head got exactly what I required. Then building the nostrils out with nose paste and covering it all with dark grease paint I look sufficiently negroid to deceive a native.
The nose may be given a very decided upward tilt by passing a similar thread under the end of it. This thread is then joined to the upper part of the wig.
At a short distance these threads are not noticeable.