So last week I saw this super creepy demon eye effect in a horror movie trailer, right? And I just had to figure out how to get that look without spending crazy money or needing fancy gear. Figured I’d share my messy adventure trying this out!
First Try: Relying On My Phone Flash? Big Fail.
Started simple. Grabbed my phone after dark, flipped on the flash, and tried taking pics of my eyes straight on. You know, hoping for that spooky red reflection like pets get. Yeah… no. All I got was bright white flashes blinding me in every shot. Squinting like crazy, eyes watering. Not scary, just painful. Wasted a whole evening trying angles and dark rooms. Zero demon vibes. Felt dumb.
Googling Stuff & Finding My Cheap Weapons
Fine. Gave up being lazy and actually searched online. Learned that red demon eyes need light bouncing off the back of your eyeball. Phone flashes? Too weak, and placed wrong. Needed cheap reflectors. Raided my drawers like a hungry raccoon.
- Found: a small roll of red tape (from Christmas gifts!), that flimsy mirror in an old makeup compact, a tiny LED flashlight my kid dropped ages ago, and scissors.
- Plan? Cut the mirror tiny, tape red stuff over the flashlight. Shine that weird red light back into my eyes. Sounded nuts but hey.
Operation “Glowing Eyeballs” in the Bathroom
Locked myself in the bathroom – darkest room, easy. Mirror from the compact? Snapped it trying to cut it smaller. Great. Used the biggest piece left, wrapped that red tape over the LED flashlight, making a tiny red spotlight. Held the mirror piece close to my eye, angled it weirdly towards my face, turned on the red light shining towards the mirror… Felt like an idiot contorting my arms.
Persistence Pays Off (Sort Of)
First 10 tries were blurry garbage. Couldn’t hold the mirror steady. Light kept slipping off. Nearly blinded myself twice. Finally jammed the mirror piece flat against my cheekbone under my eye, flashlight pressed against it pointing straight at my pupil while facing the camera. Took the pic with my phone timer because… obviously. And boom. For half a second…there it was. Creepy red rings glowing back from the photo. Real demon eye stuff! Sorta.
Yeah, It Works… But Be Warned
Got the effect! But honestly, it’s janky. Holding the mirror scrap and flashlight while posing is awkward. Takes loads of tries per decent shot. Eyes feel dry. That weird red glow looks fake if you stare too long. But holding the pic up quick? Super freaky. Worth the struggle for the reaction at the Halloween party group chat.
So yeah. Demon eyes? Totally doable with literal garbage lying around. Ain’t perfect, ain’t comfy, but damn if it doesn’t give you that chills factor for cheap. Give it a shot in a dark room if you’re bored!