Halloween Makeup Tips and Ideas
The human face is very expressive, weaving intricate tales without uttering a sound. It can also be used as a blank canvas, cleverly conveying a variety of emotions, meanings or surreal statements. Halloween is a prime time for the cosmetic genius locked inside each person’s soul to burst forth. Miniscule amounts of magical mayhem will be eagerly imbued with each dab of makeup being applied to the blank face staring impatiently into a handheld mirror.
Some artists actually attack their canvas with ferocious creativity, utilizing every square inch of space. Others love large wide open spaces, preferring to occupy only a particular portion of an enormous canvas. The human face can be entirely covered with one hue or ravaged with a rainbow of different colors, or a swath of color can be spread across the face in a diagonal or zigzag pattern. A human face could also be transformed into a classic checkerboard design.
If the magic of makeup is really deep inside one’s blood, then the Halloween makeup artist should consider planning the rest of the seasonal costume around the face and/or extremities. Even if the face is less important than the costume itself, it still deserves expert consideration. Be attentive to every little detail. A little bit of cosmetics expertly applied can really scream success!
Organize all the items you’ll be needing. A gigantic makeup kit or trunk would be wonderful. Even a clear storage tub with many dividers will do nicely. Find a comfortable area for your workshop. Make certain you have proper lighting and that it is well-ventilated. Not for safety’s sake, but just so you will be totally at ease while you’re busily creating your masterpiece.
Cosmetics and costumes have an intricately intrinsic connection - that bond can be simple or quite complex. The costume covering the human body can be a single color. The makeup can either be an extension of that solitary color or it can provide a startling contrast. Clever clusters of cosmetics can either enhance one particular facial feature or miraculously highlight all of them simultaneously in an explosion of artistic activity.
Makeup can add to the majesty of a costume steeped in horror. It can also provide a puzzling surprise. A person could easily don an incredibly gory mask that matches their costume’s concept. The mask is worn very briefly though. Then, the real artwork unfolds as soon as the mask has been removed. Spectators will be treated with the sight of two spectacular visages instead of one.
A classic pinup girl from the 1940s or 1950s is an extravagant example of old school glamour. A lovely lass in a slinky evening gown represents the ultra glamorous side of makeup. An ordinary girl or woman can easily be transformed into a superstar with the perfect combination of cosmetics subtly, tantalizing yet not too overwhelming. A clever combination of pale shades, medium tones and bolder, brighter hues. Maybe even a pinch of perfume or sequins highlighting sensuous curves, a splash of glittery makeup around the eyes, or bold rich reds beneath glossy sheens.
Vintage monsters from bygone eras or even modern monsters obviously require an entirely different style of makeup. Bold colors. greens, blues, eerie shades of silver and white will effectively alter a normal person’s distinctive facial features. Bottled blood smeared just so on the face and hands, then red paint splattered haphazardly onto the monster’s ragged apparel.
Gory faces may require unique designs. Slightly surreal or at least atrociously avante garde. The face may look completely normal from the left side but when the person turns their head, unpleasant scars or open wounds will greet the onlookers. Gory makeup often oozes varying shades of red, black and neon green. A fractured face deserves appealing attire, such as a perfect bridal gown or bridegroom’s suit, neatly starched and ironed. Not a single button missing. Nothing out of place. It will be an incredible contrast to mangled eyes and broken noses or that overall sunken in look.
For the folks not into gory ghoulish faces, the fantasy look is another stellar style, full of whimsy yet still steeped in the full flavor of the science fiction genre. Here’s a detailed example: a legendary creature of tiny proportions, the fairy. Face paint can be utilized but colorful eye shadows and pencils will also suffice, according to the folks at makeup-tips-magazine.com.
A picture of a woman with a radiant yet otherworldly look on her face is a prime example of the power of makeup. She has three flowers gently tucked into her up swept hairdo. Two of the flowers are yellow and the third one is a vibrant shade of purple. She has corresponding eye shadow colors that have been applied onto her eyelids and beneath her eyes. Three colors in all: yellow, purple and blue. The black eye liner is used to create her fairy eyes. They resemble extra fancy “S” shapes.
White eye liner was also used but the look is a bit underwhelming, since it is invisible to an untrained eye. The black liquid eye liner was used to create the ornate “S” flourishes. The use of optional rhinestones and glitter was highly recommended by this particular site.
An alternate way of creating a simple yet stunning fairy look involves a trip to the craft store. One would need to purchase one to two inch butterfly cutouts. These should have their own adhesive on the back; ifthey don’t, artificial lash glue should do the trick.
If an up and coming makeup artist is undecided as to which particular facial makeup and costuming they’re actually going to settle on, he/she may sit down and take a short break while viewing one of the various DVDs that contain costume makeup tutorials. Twelve minutes will provide important information that will cover every aspect of which particular brushes and cosmetics should be used for thirteen different costumes. Unfortunately, due to health laws, exchanges and refunds are absolutely forbidden. If one doesn’t have the spare time, interest or extra money , , , one can simply choose to follow his/her own inner blueprints. Tackling this artistic project by oneself would be an enlightening and enjoyable project. One could include a friend or family member if she/he feels they need some additional help, moral support or the all important feedback.
A costume quickly thrown together with a somewhat lackadaisical approach may not appeal to every person. Some need to study the situation. For example, a person may have finally decided on a monster costume. They should do some research before they begin applying any makeup to anyone’s face. They should collect five to eight different pictures of the exact type of monster they are interested in.
Preferably, they will have different angles for each one in order to get a better idea of what the entire face looks like. They should also draw some fairly large sketches of exactly how they envision their ideal monster’s face will end up looking. Some may scoff at such extreme preparations. Others with a little OCD will actually enjoy all the extra fuss and focus on detail.
Purists may think of makeup as being purely cosmetic items that are applied to one’s face. Others may expand the cosmetic category and include props such as hideously ugly teeth or vampire veneers. An extra limb or other body part may also fall into the cosmetic category as a necessary special effect.
Halloween makeup is not necessarily limited to the face. Hands, feet, arms and legs are all easy targets for the makeup artist and his/her heavy cosmetic kit. Open wounds, unsightly scars, intriguing birth marks, chic moles and tantalizing tattoos can easily be manufactured for private parties, grandiose galas or the average trick or treaters.
Eagletribune.com ran an article on August 18, 2011, which featured twin special effects experts. Their home base is in Florida but they have an international reputation for excellence. They have carried their craft into new realms. They studied anatomy and they’ve always loved gore. They specialize in face and body painting and apparently teaching master classes in the art of applying cosmetics.
Brian and Nick Wolfe teach other makeup artists how to expand themselves. Three dimensional effects can be achieved by just using flat paints. The use of latex and prosthetics enhances the total look. Beyond the current techniques of these eager makeup artists honing their crafts. One example looked like pseudo realism with a surreal twist.
Speaking of surrealism, someone may select a very precise theme. Say, eyeballs. They can meticulously paint eyeballs of varying sizes and colors all over their bodies and faces. If they are shy about exposing too much human flesh, they can purchase a solid-colored unitard. Unitards are available in three different versions. Long-sleeved, ones with spaghetti straps and the tank style versions. One could also opt for the bizarre-looking,full body spandex suit costumes. The fabric over the face could be carefully sliced open. Then you’ll have access to all or part of the human face. Creating either a traditional or an abstract look. The human face can also be covered with all sorts of geometric designs, animal shapes, hearts, flowers, punctuation marks or anything else that catches the fancy of the makeup artists.
An oversized plaid costume could be donned, giving something of a Zoot Suit look. Then makeup could be applied to the face. It should be quite easy to fashion a perfectly plaid face. Simply add some plaid boots or pumps thus creating an entirely plaid person. I mention the apparel and footwear because they will fully enhance the cosmetic wizardry of the face paint.
If you’re decorating clothing or other fabric to match your painted faces, don’t waste your expensive makeup unless you want a perfect match. Instead, try fabric paints, pens or permanent markers. Fabric paints are very handy because they can be brushed or sprayed all over the intended targets.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Failure often leads to great success. With makeup, mistakes can easily be erased. One can start over with a clean face and learn from previous missteps. A strong suggestion. It would probably be easier to have someone else paint your face according to your wishes and then you can return the favor. If you don’t think you’ll feel nervous working on your own face,that’s even better. You’ll be both the artist and the canvas!
