PREPARATIONS

Plan ahead. Don't start making your costume and makeup plans the night before Halloween. Do some advance planning and get all the materials, props, costume and makeup items you'll need ahead of time. If you wait too long, what you need or want may not be available.

Take your time. When Halloween finally does come around, start your preparations early in the day. Set all your materials and makeup out to make sure you have everything you'll need. Give yourself time for a last minute trip to the store.

GETTING STARTED

You've got everything you need, and it's time to get ready. So what do you do first?

1. Decide if you should put your makeup on before or after getting in costume. If your costume is one that can easily be put on without touching your face and messing up your makeup, go ahead and do your makeup first. It's easier to put makeup on when you are not in costume because you don't have to worry about messing up your costume.

HOWEVER, if your costume is going to be difficult to put on, go ahead and get into it before putting on your makeup. Simply drape a towel around your neck to protect your costume from makeup splatters and drips. This way you can do a great job on your makeup and not accidentally mess it up while putting on your costume.

2. Get your hair out of the way. Now that you are ready to begin with the makeup, secure a scarf around your head so that all your hair is covered. This will keep your face makeup out of your hair, prevent your hair from messing up your makeup and will give you a clear view of your whole face.

3. Be thoughtful. Use a couple of mirrors (one on either side) to study your face. Take a moment to imagine the makeup on your face before applying it. Taking a little time to mentally plan how you're going to put on your makeup can help prevent frustrating mistakes and may give you some new ideas.

4. Have fun! Nothing is too strange for Halloween, so be creative! If you decide at the last minute that you want to try something wild, go for it! If it doesn't work out, you've (hopefully) started early and will have time to clean up and go back to the original plan.

SOME IDEAS

Old As The Hills - When trying to look old, don't just draw dark lines on your skin to look like wrinkles. First cover the skin in a lighter than normal color using baby powder or white blemish cover stick. Then draw the dark lines and slightly blend them to the surrounding area with your finger. Then add baby powder to give the skin that old, dry look. You can also use the baby powder in your hair to get that gray look.

Get Bit - If you want to be a Vampire, first cover face in white powder makeup or white blemish cover stick. Outline sharp eyebrows, and then fill in with black makeup. Draw lines on the face with reddish-brown makeup, and blur the edges a bit. Outline the eyes and draw a line up about an inch from the outside edge of the eye. Drip fake blood from the edges of the mouth. (see below for details on making fake blood) Comb hair into a point in the middle of the forehead. Use fake teeth to complete the transformation.

Which is Witch? - To look like a witch, cover the face in green or white powder makeup or white blemish cover stick. With a black makeup stick, draw lines in a "V" in the middle of the forehead and create some lines around the mouth. Draw lines on the hands with an eyeliner pen; almost follow the veins to make the hands look old. Tease and spray hair with a super stick hairspray. Place in a few plastic bugs.

Pair O' Dice Lost - Put a couple in a two cubical cardboard boxes painted white with black dots. Have them carrying a road map.

I Paint, Therefore I Am - Think of a spooky painting with a person in it, such as Munch's "Scream." Paint the picture on a big cardboard box and cut out a hole where the face goes. Put YOUR face in it, and you're in the painting. To finish out this costume, you'd want to scream like crazy! You can do this with any painting, like the "Mona Lisa" or "American Gothic."

Two Heads Are Better Than One - Get a REALLY big sweatshirt, have a friend join you in it and be Siamese twins!

Hari, Hari - Cover your hair with pantyhose and cut a hole in the top. Bring your hair out of the hole, or add a ponytail. Wear a toga, and carry a tambourine.

Rutt Roe, Raggy! - For an easy costume, go as any character from Scooby Doo. (except maybe Scooby himself!) You'll most likely find all the clothes you'll need at the local Salvation Army or used clothing store.

SOME SPECIFICS

For scars and sores: Combine pink or green face tissue with corn syrup.

For facial hair: Use the hair from an old stuffed toy or hairbrush and attach with double stick tape or fake eyelash adhesive.

For blood: Combine red food color and corn syrup. After dripping the blood where you want it to be, don't let the edges of the blood smear. Give the fake blood plenty of time to dry and be mindful not to wipe your face later on in the evening!

For blood and gore: Use red food color, corn syrup and chunky peanut butter.

MORE COSTUME AND MAKEUP IDEAS

Visit our Scary Links - Costumes and Makeup section for other websites with great tips and tricks and  ideas.

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