How to Apply Make-Up for Halloween

It’s less than two weeks before Halloween and I am sure you already have your costume picked out, but whatabout that that little extra make-up job to make everything complete. You can’t be a ghoul or a zombie without bluish skin or blood stained lips.

Applying make-up for a Halloween costume isn’t like applying it for going out on the town and if you are a guy, then odds are you are completely clueless about make-up. Here is a quick how-to on proper make-up application for Halloween.

1. Gather your supplies. Your first step is to head out to the store and get all the equipment you need to begin the make-up process. The Halloween aisle should have almost everything you need. There will be several colors of make-up available so pick the one that best fits your costumes. For example, aclown would want white make-up while a zombie would want something more bluish to shoe decay. If you want scars and gashes, then some modeling wax or liquid latex is needed and don’t forget about the fake blood.

2. Scars should be completed first as they require no make-up on underneath them. Place the wax or latex on the skin and mold accordingly. As it dries out, it will pull the skin together and look exactly like a scar.

2, First application. Odds are your first application will be used to cover most of your face. It provides the overall skin tone of the costume. This should be applied with a make-up sponge because it’s easier to use and applies evenly. If you use your fingers, you won’t get an even layer and if you use a brush, it will take forever to apply.

3. Detail work. If you have any fake scars on your face, use a brush to color the area with the make-up so it matches the rest of your face. If you want to add a second color to the main coat or put on a second coat of make-up, make sure to let the first coat dry completely. Otherwise the make-up could crack or the colors will mix and that would just look silly.

4. Geometric shapes. Sometimes you may want to add a specific shape or figure to your face, such as a tattoo or just something to put a little zest onto your costume. Rather than drawing them freehand, which can be pretty difficult when looking into a mirror, don’t be afraid to use a stencil on your face. It may look a little silly when you are doing it, but the finished product will be free of messy mistakes caused by freehand drawing.

The make-up is the little touch that makes a costume complete. It could mean the difference between a good costume and a great costume. Don’t be afraid to try it out. What’s the worst that can happen? If you screw up the application, you can always wash it off and start over.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/toronjazul/285893165/

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