The best part of Halloween is becoming someone else. A great costume is a first step; using makeup or Hallowing face paint completes the transformation. Use good quality makeup or face paint to decrease the risks of an allergic reaction.
Why Halloween Makeup is Better Than Halloween Masks
Masks, whether they cover just the eyes or the whole face, can be hot, ill-fitting and uncomfortable. More elaborate masks can also restrict visibility, creating a safety hazard when children go trick or treating at night. And with lit candles in pumpkins, masks may be a fire risk if kids get too close as they check out the pumpkin carvings.
Instead of a Halloween mask, use either makeup or Halloween face paint to create fantastic designs.
Where to Buy Halloween Makeup or Face Paint
To buy Halloween makeup or face paint supplies, check out Halloween stores, costume stores, theater makeup and supply stores, beauty supply stores, large retailers and drugstores. Many of these products are also available online.
Forget discount or dollar stores. Products from these stores are often imported from countries that don't have strong health and safety laws and may contain chemicals and additives that are harmful to skin and eyes.
Test Makeup or Face Paint Before Halloween
Think ahead. Don't wait until October 31 to get face paint supplies or they may be sold out. Decide on a costume and matching face design. Buy a ready-made kit that includes face paint makeup as well as either instructions for face paint design or face painting stencils. For a more personal touch, make a sketch of the face design to see what colors are needed and then purchase makeup, face paint or supplies to create homemade versions.
Note: If buying face paint, make sure the package is clearly labeled face paint. Other products are too irritating and won't let the skin breathe.
Always test the products up to a week before Halloween. Do a patch test on the inside of the wrist to see if there is any skin reaction. If the skin becomes red or irritated, don't use the products. Either buy another brand or go the homemade route with natural products.
Making homemade Halloween makeup is quite easy and there are many recipes to choose from.
Tips for Putting on Halloween Makeup or Face Paint
To get the best effect, think of the face as a canvas. Proper preparation before applying the makeup or face paint means it will stay on better. For costumes that go on over the head, put the costume on before the makeup so the face design doesn't get smeared. Protect the costume with a towel tucked around the neck.
- Clean and dry the face completely, using an astringent for greasy skin. Most makeup or face paint won't adhere to wet or greasy skin.
- Use a variety of tools such as paint brushes, sponges or feathers to get different effects.
- Apply a thin coat of the product, waiting for each area to dry before applying the next portion of the makeup or face paint.
- After finishing the face paint design, apply a faint dusting of face powder or baby powder to help the makeup or face paint set.
- At the end of the evening, clean the face thoroughly. Use soap and water or a good quality makeup remover. Then apply moisturizer to keep the skin soft.
There are lots of online websites that give step by step face painting makeup instructions and face painting pictures for creating Halloween makeup or tips on creating special effects. Search Youtube using "Halloween Makeup" as search terms for video demonstrations.
Preparing Special Effects Makeup for Halloween
Special effects makeup adds more interest to any Halloween face or costume. They can either be bought in Halloween makeup kits or made at home with simple ingredients.
For scars, use
- a mixture of gelatin and water,
- white glue,
- wax, or
- water and cornstarch.
Build up the thickness by adding a bit of the material, letting it dry and then adding more. Painting over it gives a more dramatic effect.
For blood, add red food coloring to a thin mixture of corn syrup, water and flour. Use it to create scars and other gruesome effects.
To add even more interest, think accessories and Halloween prosthetics. Stores that carry Halloween makeup and face paint also carry accessories such as teeth or fangs, fake body parts, spooky-looking contact lenses, wigs and a wide range of nail polish colors.
Halloween is a time for fun. No matter what the costume - zombie, cat, vampire, witch, clown, butterfly, pirate or princess - use Halloween makeup and face paint to complete the look.
For information on how cheap and easy-to-make Halloween costumes, read Halloween Costumes Go Green - Make, Trade or Rent Them.
Sources:
- Allfreecrafts.com. Rose Smith. "Halloween Costume Safety Tips and Halloween Makeup Recipes." (accessed July 26, 2010)
- Facepaintingdesigns.co.uk. "Face Painting Designs." (accessed July 26, 2010)
- Ghoulskool.com. Makeup FX." (accessed July 26, 2010)
- Youtube.com "Halloween Makeup." (accessed July 26, 2010)
Harriet Cooper - Harriet Cooper writes for magazines, newspapers and websites on health, nutrition, the environment, ESL, cats and feng shui.
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