How to Make Costumes With Red & Black Face Paint

Create scary monsters using red and black face paint.

Costumes are used for many occasions but especially for Halloween. Black and red face paint are two basic colors used to create many monsters and creatures. The addition of clothing that emphasizes the face-painted characteristics adds to the allure of the costume. Face paint works well on the face but is also used on the neck, hands and arms to complete the costume. Help in the removal of the face paint by applying a layer of face cream or body lotion to the skin prior to applying the painted design.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Soft towel
• Hand lotion or face cream
• Black and red face paint
• Artist's paintbrushes
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Red lipstick

Instructions

Devil

1. Wash your face, ears and neck with warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly. Apply a thin layer of face cream or body lotion to your face, ears and neck. Allow the face cream or body lotion to dry for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Apply a layer of red face paint to the face, ears and neck using a cotton ball, cotton swab, artist's paintbrush or fingers. Apply the paint to areas that are visible to others. Allow the paint to dry for 10 minutes. Choose an application device that you're comfortable using to apply the face paint.

3. Apply black face paint to the eyelids, eyebrows and under the eyes with a cotton swab or artist's paintbrush. Add black to the lips with face paint or lipstick. Add other black areas as desired.

Vampire

1. Wash your face with warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft towel. Allow your face to air dry for 5 minutes.

2. Apply a thin layer of face cream or body lotion to the eyelids, under the eyes and below the lips. Allow the face cream or body lotion to dry for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Apply black face paint to the eyelids, eyebrows and under the eyes, using a cotton swab or artist's paintbrush.

4. Paint one to three teardrops of blood coming from the corners of the mouth with red face paint. Use an artist's paintbrush or a cotton swab to paint the teardrops.

5. Color the lips red with face paint or red lipstick.

Head Wound

1. Wash your face with warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft towel. Apply a thin layer of face cream or body lotion to the forehead and cheek areas. Allow your face to air dry for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Paint a 1/4 to 1/2-inch-wide long gash across the forehead and/or cheek with black face paint. Use an artist's paintbrush or cotton swab.

3. Apply red face paint to the gash to look like blood dripping from the wound. Paint teardrop shapes for the blood droplets and a wavy line along the edge of the black gash to resemble flesh turned back from the cut.

References

• Kidzworld: Halloween Make-Up Tips
• Daily Motion: How to do Devil Face Painting