How to do Special Effects Makeup for Halloween
Halloween is the time of year when would-be actors and makeup artists thrive. Some of the best costumes that receive the most attention and prizes at local contests are homemade versions that include easy-to-make special effects makeup. While imagination is a precursor to the homemade Halloween costume, anyone can turn an outfit into a roaring Halloween success with a few tips and tricks of their own.
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Things You'll Need
- Corn syrup
- Red food coloring
- Lotion with cocoa butter
- Glue
- Glitter
- Black eyebrow pencil
Instructions
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Spend time preparing the face before applying any Halloween makeup. It will not only help to hold the makeup in place and allow it to go on more smoothly, it also will make removal much easier. Clean the face thoroughly and cover it with a thick layer of lotion. Heavy creams and lotions such as those with cocoa butter in them last longer and tend to not absorb as quickly. Cover the eyes and eyebrows with the cream as well as the hairline.
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Start with a very pale or white face to add a scary effect and a good palette for the rest of the makeup. Use a clown makeup base spread lightly for a stark effect or spread the face with cheap extra light foundation. For an old, crackled base, apply a face mask that dries. Wait until it is completely dry, then frown, laugh and move the facial muscles to crack up the mask. Make sure to cover the eyebrows with the white base.
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Make fake blood that lasts through the night with corn syrup and red food coloring. This edible concoction can be smeared around the mouth and remains sticky enough to stay on the chin and neck as it drools out. Corn syrup does not dry well, so add some red highlights on the edges of the mouth with dark red nail polish.
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Work wonders with glue in a bottle and glitter. Take the tip of a bottle of glue and squeeze out the glue over the eyebrows, bringing it up high on the ends. Before the glue is dry, bend the head back and sprinkle the glitter over the glue. Shake the face, allowing the excess glitter to fall off. Repeat the process for stars or other glitter markings on the face.
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Use inexpensive soft black eyeliner pencils to draw evil mustaches, daring eyebrows and scars on a facial palette. Overdo the lines for a more dramatic effect.
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Tips & Warnings
Carry the white base down the neck to the top of the shirt being worn to give the entire look a more realistic feel.
Always close the eyes when applying substances to the face. Use only materials that dry on the areas over the eyes.
