X-Men Mystique

  Figure 1: Screenshot Mystique Fan fest (2016) 

The scales that are well known to the character Mystique are hand placed and are more concentrated in certain areas of her body. This process alone takes around 2 hours to complete three layers of dark blue body paint are then placed over the scales, using an airbrush to cover all of her natural skin tone. When dried, 5 more layers are placed on top in a splattering motion to give a a main gloss finish to the body paint. This whole process takes around 8 hours and the help of 6 girls for it to be completed. The body paint is the only thing Jennifer Lawrence wears on set so cover and precision are key.

The process of this transformation took Jennifer and her team around 7 hours to complete (excluding time for hair and contacts). To prepare for application of the body paint, Jennifer would either be leaning on a tall board or sitting on a bicycle seat. However, in the latest X-men movie "Days to Future Past", Jennifer wore a full body suit up to her shoulders due to the body paint irritated her skin, because of this the body paint was only applied from the neck above, decreasing makeup time from 8 hours to 3 hours.  Makeup and hair for 'X-Men', Frances Hannon tried to perfect 20 different shades of blue placing it on 20 different girls so she could find the right shade of blue for the 'Days to Future Past' Mystique (Business insider, 2014). 

Mystique's character has had a noticeable change throughout the different X-Men movies. Many fans and critics have commented on the different colour and overall look from different actors that once played Mystique in the past. This was because in production of the 2014 film "Days to Future Past" they could not find any of the original makeup artists from the past 3 movies, this made the team start from scratch and decided to create a more modernised look for Mystique. 

There have been a few changes that happened over the years with Mystique, from the actresses to the colour and look of the body paint. However, the changes have not been drastic, as you can see from the picture below, the body paint which once used to be a dark glossy blue has not changed to a matt vibrant blue. The scales, on the other hand have stayed the same shape and position on the face and body as well as the style and colour of her hair. 

Figure 2 : Every adaptation of Mystique Top funny (2017) 

To get a better look at the process of Jennifer Lawrence's transformation into Mystique, I have posted a video which shows the step by step look in the make up chair.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xksaqb

References 
Figure 1: 
Fan fest (2016) Screenshot Mystique. Retrieved from 
      http://fanfest.com/2016/06/01/is-there-a-mystique-standalone-movie-in-the-works/
Figure 2:
Top funny (2017) Every adaptation of Mystique. Retrieved from 
      http://www.tintucquanhta.xyz/2017/06/x-men-every-adaptation-of-mystique.html

Kristin, A. (2014) Business insider Entertainment. Retrieved from 
       http://www.businessinsider.com/jennifer-lawrence-x-men-mystique-makeup-2014-5

Katey, R. (2012) Cinema blend. Retrieved from 
       https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Watch-Jennifer-Lawrence-Arduous-Naked-Makeup-Process-X-Men-First-Class-26492.html

X-Men first class makeup tests (2011) YouTube video. Retrieved from 
     http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xksaqb