Last Minute Halloween Ideas: Gory and Gorgeous! Under $20 and 20 minutes

Ok, so you need some Halloween ideas and fast. These are two basic concepts that can be used as starting points for many ideas. I challenged myself to come up with many ideas and everything had to be under $20 and under 20 minutes. Enjoy!

I'm starting with a a basic scar tutorial that can be used in a variety of ways. It's easy, fast, and using techniques from theatre class.

T O O L S:

• Clear Liquid Latex (avoid if allergic) $4
• Lip or Eyeliner
• Coloring agents, such as lip/eyeliner, lip sticks, shadows, Halloween makeup, fake blood (I make mine with corn syrup and red food coloring)

M E T H O D:

• Paint face for whatever costume you're creating (see ideas below).
• Using lip or eyeliner (again, depending on your costume), outline and fill in your scar.
• Apply several layers of liquid latex and allow to dry--around 5-10 minutes. If allergic, draw the scar or use a scar kit.
• Your skin will start to pull and the scar effect will begin. Use your coloring agents to add touch ups to complete the look.
• When you're done for the night (or day!), simply peel away the liquid latex.

I D E A S:

• The Joker
• Harry Potter
• Two-face: 1/2 face scarred, 1/2 face done up with makeup
• Zombie
• Witch
• Broken doll (use black eyeliner)
• Skull 
• Jack 'O Lantern
• Ghost
• Vampire victim
• Scary clown
• Day of the Dead 

Don't underestimate the potential or lace or tulle! I've got lots of ideas that have you, um, covered!

T O O L S:

• Lace or Tulle--the bigger the holes in the pattern, the better (free to $9 for a full roll)
• Scissors, tape
• Makeup sponge
• Eyelash glue ($3)
• Face Makeup Kit ($3)

M E T H O D:

• With lace or tulle (check the wedding section of the craft store) you have lots of options:
•  First, you can cut the lace. Cut out patterns in the lace and glue to your face using eyelash glue.
• Cut the lace or tulle into the shape of a mask and adhere to face.
• Use the lace as a template and cut to size needed. 
• Tape the edges of the lace onto your face to hold it in place. 
• Dab makeup onto the lace. When the lace is removed, the pattern of the lace or tulle remains. 
• Set with makeup setting spray or aerosol hairspray. 
• Remove with baby wipes and then your regular facial cleanser.

I D E A S:

• The tulle gives a scaly pattern on the face, so this is great to create a
• mermaid
• dragon
• alien
• snake
• alligator
• lizard
• The lace can be a mask (cut or stippled) for a
• Venetian goddess
• Mardi Gras partier
• Masquerade ball
• Butterfly (cut lace into shape of butterfly wings and adhere or stipple pattern)
• Lace Lashes
• Pirate
• Lady Gaga
• Bride 
• Jilted bride
• Spiderwoman (glue fake spiders to the lace!)
• Black widow
• Bat
• Catwoman
• Ghost
• Vampire

Here's my 2-faced beauty queen!

Apply makeup as usual for half of face.

I did this for free using what I already owned:

• I mixed samples of too-light foundation, bb cream, and a sprinkle of baking soda and caked on several layers of foundation.
• I used 3 layers of eyelash glue (or liquid latex) and torn toilet paper and allowed each layer to dry. I painted over the scar with foundation.
• I tore open the tissue "wound" carefully with tweezers, and filled in using Coastal Scents 88 palette (red, brown, copper, black). 
• I added more bruises using brown, grey, black, purple, and blue with a big fluffy blending brush.
• I dabbed red lipstick, stain, and gloss in/around the wound, and then corn syrup mixed with red food coloring for blood.

Which look would you like me to recreate??