Make-up that’s eerie-sistible
Need an idea for a last-minute Halloween look? Skip the fancy costume and get creative with your make-up.
That’s one sure-fire way to stand out at that spooky soirée tonight, according to make-up artist Maria deBraga.
Once you paint your face as a zombie, skeleton or vampire, you can go pretty simple with your outfit and just wear all black, she said.
“Halloween make-up completes the look and makes it more convincing,” she said. “For example, what vampire wouldn’t have fangs, pale skin, dark circles and blood dripping down the side of its mouth?” Ms deBraga first started dabbling with special effects make-up three-and-a-half years ago while studying at New York City’s Makeup Designory. One of her required courses happened to be multimedia make-up and special effects. She fell in love with it from the first day of class.
“Before that I didn’t realise make-up could capture so many little gory details,” she said. “I had the chance to work on the set of a small film last summer called ‘Before I Disappear’, and that got me interested in doing character-driven looks as well.”
Social media has made it easier than ever for people to try out different looks for Halloween, she said. “Social media forums like YouTube or Instagram are a great way for finding easy Halloween make-up tutorials,” she explained. “My favourite YouTuber at the moment is Madeyewlook By Lex. With her easy step-by-step instructional videos, anyone can recreate the looks she posts on her channel.”
So what are Ms deBraga’s tips for getting started on your gruesome guise? First off, make sure to start with a primer, which allows your make-up to stay in place and last longer. This step will also help prevent certain face paints from staining your skin, she said. She also recommends that make-up newbies outline and map out their make-up with white eyeliner, before filling in the details. “That way if you make a mistake, it’s easier to correct it.”
Another suggestion to make the look really convincing, decorate more than just your face. “Take the make-up down to your neck and hands and cover any exposed skin the costume doesn’t hide,” she said. As a final touch, Ms deBraga encourages people to set their make-up with a light dusting of translucent powder or setting spray. This step will help prevent the make-up from smearing and double the staying power of your look, she said.
If you’re not sure which make-up brand to use — look for Snazaroo face-painting products. They sell box kits and also give you a book detailing how to recreate each look. Other options are available locally from iCandy cosmetics, she said.
Ms deBraga has loved the horror of Halloween since she was a child.
She and her mother would watch scary films together, and get spooked.
“Thus began my love affair for horror/thriller films,” she said. “Ever since then, I’ve loved the fantasy aspect that surrounds Halloween. It’s dark and spooky, spiritual in a mysterious sense.
“Plus, you get to create this alter ego to be for one night, and celebrate the holiday of gluttony that existed to honour the dead. What’s not to love?”
Watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIkvLBLA4N0&list=UU3AlIphiZWwWw2nWsjgvmsA
Looking for more last-minute Halloween ideas? Here’s five suggestions:
Black cat — You’ll need ears and a tail to pull off this look. But when it comes to your make-up you just need three tools: pencil eyeliner, liquid eyeliner and a pink gloss.
Start by using the black eyeliner pencil to draw a triangle on the tip of your nose, then add whiskers on your cheek. Get the liquid eyeliner and trace a thin strip along your upper lash line, extending it out slightly at the corners for a cat-eye effect. Add a baby pink lip colour to your lips.
Vampire — If you have a white blouse or collared shirt and a pendant, this look is easy to pull off. You’ll just need to buy fangs.
Start off your make-up with a foundation a few shades lighter than your skin. Apply a matte translucent powder so your skin is flawless and pale.
Next, create blood droplets from the corners of your mouth using red lipstick. Fill in brows with a dark brown or black pencil for a strong, flawless appearance. Finish up with lots of mascara.
Cleopatra — Go through your closet to find a Grecian-inspired dress and flat sandals. You’ll also want to pull out your gold costume jewellery and can even invest in a black bob wig for this look. When it comes to make-up, use a liquid illuminator to create a glowy look on your skin. Using a very dark eyebrow pencil, draw in your brows so they have an arch at the centre, then add gold eyeshadow onto your lids. Use black eyeliner to trace a thick line along the lashes. Finish off with blush and a brownish-brick-red lip colour.
Witch — Start by getting a pointed black hat. After that, all you need is a household broom and black dress. Your face should look even in tone, so find a foundation that’s a couple shades lighter than your skin to create the right effect. Next, create a smoky eye, by rimming the top and bottom lash lines with black liner, and using a brush to smudge the liner and smoke it out. Use dark brown eye shadow over the lid and under the lower lash line, as well. Add a nude colour to your lips and finish it off by adding the staple witch’s mole.
Mermaid — A green, maxi skirt and bikini top is all you need to perfect this last-minute look. When it comes to make-up, focus on the eyes. Start with a thick black line along the top and bottom lash line, then create an ombre effect with blue, green and gold eye shadow. The blue colour should be smudged into the eyeliner and across the top of the lid, the green shade should be lightly swiped under the blue on the bottom and then blended into the crease of the eye and onto the lid where it meets the blue shadow. The gold shadow should be used under the brow bone. Wear your hair in loose waves or a side braid ... and voila!
