How to do the Makeup for a Skeleton Costume

Skeleton costumes can be a scary choice for a Halloween costume.

Skeleton costumes remain a popular choice among children and adults for Halloween. The spooky outfit paired with proper makeup creates a scary ensemble perfect for trick or treating and Halloween parties. Whether you purchase a skeleton costume at the store or make one at home, your costume isn't complete until you apply the skull makeup, which can be done in a few minutes, requiring only a makeup pen and a sponge for blending.

Things You'll Need

• Damp washcloth
• Picture of costume skull, for reference
• Tape
• Mirror
• Makeup sponge
• Small makeup brush
• Black paint makeup pen
• White face makeup

Instructions

1. Prepare your face for the makeup. Wipe your face with a damp cloth to remove excess oil, dirt or food. Dry it completely. Secure long or straggly hair back with a clip or rubber band. If you'll be working in front of a large mirror, tape the picture of the skull to the mirror for easy reference. Otherwise, keep the picture nearby on the counter top.

2. Use the black makeup pen to shade in the eye-socket area. Color in your eyelids to the area below your eyebrows. Continue to color in the socket, going around the outer edge of your eye and underneath it and finishing up toward the inner eye area and side of your nose. This creates a hollowed-out look. Close one eye at a time when applying the paint so you can avoid getting makeup in your eye but at the same time see what you're doing.

3. Apply black paint to your lips. Avoid getting the makeup on your teeth or in your mouth. You can cover the entire lip area with black makeup, or you can paint teeth over your lips. To paint teeth, cover your lips with white makeup. Then, paint a thin, black line around the outer edges of your lips and along the contour of the bottom of your upper lip and the top of your bottom lip. Draw vertical lines down your lips to resemble teeth, with the lines stretching from the top of your lips to the bottom.

4. Add black makeup around your nostrils and the bottom tip of your nose. This creates a hollowed appearance in the center of your face. Put some white makeup on the makeup sponge, and rub it on the remaining areas of your face. Use a circular motion to apply the makeup to your cheeks and forehead to minimize streaks. You can use a smaller makeup brush for a more precise application in areas around your nose and eyes. Make sure that your entire face is covered with either white or black makeup.

5. Add more details, if desired. Apply black lines that resemble cracks at the outer corners of the lips and eyes. You also can paint jagged cracks on your forehead or chin. If you want to give your cheeks a sunken look, blend a little black paint with the white makeup under your cheekbones. Use downward strokes to create grayish shadows that line up with your bottom lip.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get any makeup in your eyes, flush with water immediately. If you experience any persistent pain or vision problems, seek medical attention right away.

References

• Skeleton Costume Tips: Skeleton Costume for Halloween
• Kidz World: Halloween Make-Up Tips