Halloween Makeup – Halloween.biz

Halloween Makeup Ideas

A lot of the theatrical makeup used for Halloween dress-up can cause reactions in sensitive people, so always test it first. Or, read the ingredients before purchasing. You don’t want to look like a leopard with spots, if your goal was to be an Egyptian queen! If you’ve purchased your costume then it will usually have a few make-up ideas in the package. If you are lost and don’t know what you’d like to do, then look at some books or designs on the Internet and they will inspire you.

If you sweat a lot, then chose a light makeup up look. The more “greasepaint” you put on your body, the bigger the likelihood that you will sweat. There are natural mineral makeups out there plus specially designed ones used in show business, that won’t cause reactions. They can be more expensive but it’s worth it if you’ll feel more comfortable. Some costume designs require a lot of makeup to create the look, while a few hardly need any. A lot of costumes use masks and if you aren’t allergic to latex then this is an almost instant way to glam up your outfit.

Makeup for animal costumes is more complex than a lot of others This is like those face paintings that the kids get done at county fairs. One accidental wipe at your cheek and the look may be ruined. Even little babies can have a few dots or noses or whiskers on their faces. Of course, any makeup for babies should be hypoallergenic from the get go. Watch out for glitter. It’s usually applied by a spray and it can cause reactions, besides the fact that it tastes funny if you get some in your mouth. Use a well-lit makeup mirror for your makeup if it’s complex. Try and get a photo of the look you’re aiming for and tape it up on the mirror at eye level so you can refer to it.

One thing to be careful of is makeup staining either your skin or an area of your home where you don’t want it. You have to get it off you before you go to bed, and sometimes it does take special removers. Test first, well before you’ll be needing it, and also test how to get it off. Remember — read about both the makeup and the way to get it off, because you don’t want your skin being removed along with it.

Theatrical makeup artists study for a long time because they often have to age or “young” an actor up for a role, or create a monster or disfigured person (such as in Phantom of the Opera) and these become an integral part of an actor’s costume. Once they start to act, then the two often meld together to form the character. We’ve gotten a few tips together for specific looks.

Monster

This is not just throwing a bunch of makeup on your face and mixing it up together like a bread pudding. At the base of every monster is the person or being which existed before they became a monster. Somehow, you have to transcend the bridge and make your monster real. If it’s an “affliction” then make it as simple, and as real as you can. Sometimes a perfectly simple Mardi Gras-like mask can help, as in Phantom of the Opera. There needn’t be anything behind a mask, but we can always wonder.

Swashbuckler/Daredevil

For men, there’s a certain swagger to an explorer or adventurer or pirate. This can mean beard stubble, which is easy for men as they have their own. Just don’t shave for a few days. You can always stipple on some black makeup as well, unless you are a red head of course. An old sword wound can be created as long as it doesn’t curl up on your face like a mini-venetian blind because of sweat. One director made himself up as Nanki-Poo in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, and he was so active that his eyebrows started to peel off. I couldn’t look at him without choking up. You can buy wounds in either a magic shop or makeup store or off the Internet.

Women’s Makeup

Most women use makeup every day, but some do not. Most women leave the superhero and heavy makeup look to the men and opt for a more natural makeup job. Most women know when they look silly so most women will do alright at Halloween. Have a friend help you if need be. Help the men in your family with their makeup, because they are no doubt quite inexperienced at it. Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Halloween makeup ideas can be a crucial part of your costume. In fact, in some cases, it may be the most important part of your costume. The outfit is one thing, but makeup can help drive the point home about what your costume is supposed to be. A zombie isn’t really a zombie without makeup to create the full effect.

The Easy Route

Some store bought costumes actually include a small kit of makeup to help with your costume, for example, may include a tube of green face paint. A monster may have already made scars that can be fairly easily applied. If not, there are still ways to create or add to your look with little to no effort.

The simplest approach may be using white face paint and black eyeliner. These two items can help you create multiple looks. Ghosts, skeletons and mimes all utilize these two shades and also don’t require too much skill. That, or don’t overlook the simplicity of creating a simple cat face with whiskers. You can do the nose in black, but pink can add a little more depth to it.

As a Costume

Maybe you want your Halloween makeup ideas to act as your costume, not in addition to it. There are ways to do so, but some can require some intricate work. Shop online or offline for makeup kits that include stencils for this specific purpose. You could also consider using a professional makeup artist, or hitting up a friend who is one for a favor.

So, if you have time, patience and a wide variety of colors to work with, here are a few ideas that act as costumes instead of just makeup. One idea is a deck of cards. You can paint your face white and add either multiple suits, such as hearts or clubs, or a single one. Or, how about a zebra or tiger! While it doesn’t have to be perfect, it will be slightly more time consuming than some other options. Just think of things or animals that could be easily represented by face painting, like fish scales, and give it a go.

You also pick something that is highly recognizable by its face. Think comic books, super heroes or cartoon characters. Anyone would recognize a well painted Spider Man or Joker face. You can also just think back to your childhood when you would get your face painted at the fair. When in doubt, simply painting a swimming fish or mystical unicorn on your face can act as a costume. If nothing else, you can also go really simple and paint puzzle piece sections on your face. At least it is something.

More Elaborate Ideas

You can get as complicated as you like when it comes to painting up your face for Halloween. It depends on your ability and the amount of time you have. As mentioned before, zombies just aren’t the undead without a full face of makeup. For those who have the skills, create deep cuts, gashes and scars to make a dramatic impact. Keep in mind, there are recipes to be found online to help create 3D effects for some Halloween makeup ideas. For example, corn syrup and red food color can be used to make sticky bloody marks or incisions on your face.

Tips

Decide if you should put the costume on before or after the makeup is applied. If your costume tends to make you heat up and slips on without going over your head, then you will want to wait until after you’ve finished your makeup. Otherwise, especially if the costume slips on overhead, it is generally a good idea to have the costume on. Just be certain to cover up the costume to prevent spilling any makeup on it.

Bring extra makeup with you. There is always a chance of a smudge occurring and having your kit with you enables you to make a quick fix. Of course, it is also a good idea to bring some tissues and facial wipes with you. You may find out an hour into the party your eye makeup is irritating you, and should have a quick easy way to remove some or all of the face paint. At the end of the event, you also may want to remove the makeup immediately to allow your skin to breathe.

The idea is to have fun with it, try not to take it too seriously or get frustrated. Allow yourself some time and, when possible, practice your technique before the holiday party. Halloween makeup ideas can really add some depth to whatever character you decide to portray for the holiday.