When dressing up for Halloween, I really want to commit to whatever character I'm portraying (usually a black cat). The hair, makeup, and costume must work together to create a believable image, haunting or enticing onlookers. Maybe both. Here are some budget-friendly tips for many different looks:
- Create everything from smoky, seductive vampire eyes to zombie freak shows with just a few simple eye shadow colors in your repertoire. Black and white can be used to create depth, while the primary palette allows you to mix and blend to achieve desired colors.
- Basic black eye liner is awesome for drawing attention to eyes, but can also be used for whiskers, black noses, stripes, or scars.
- Need a hair color fix? For light-haired people, try using Kool-Aid to change your locks. Simply submerge hair in water for about 15 minutes with two packets of powder. It will wash out easily with the next shower. I recommend lemon-lime for Medusa-goers.
- For intense lip colors, mix lip gloss with eye shadow and apply liberally. For scarier looks, the lips can even be outlined in eye liner.
With the right coupons, these makeup purchases are very cost effective, more so than costume make-up packs Halloween stores sell. The same can be said for costumes. Creating your own look from clothes in your wardrobe or fabric around the house can typically make a more realistic outfit than what you see online. Great examples are:
- The classic Grecian look. Know anyone with even a hint of design/sewing talent? Then that white bed sheet is your new toga. Cotton is easy to cut and drape while being affordable. Project Runway contestants are always draping clothes, and YouTube is full of videos about how to get the perfect toga look. Pair the toga with some strap sandals and a wreath of leaves from a craft store to tie the costume together.
- Mermaids. Yeah, it can be cold during October, but some girls (and guys) just need to get their fish/human duo on for Halloween. Again, craft stores are your friend. Using an old swimsuit top, sew or glue (depending on what type of shells you buy) store-bought shells onto the fabric. Shimmery, fish scale fabric can be used to create the tail or simply draped as a flowy skirt.
- 80's. Everybody knows someone who grew up in that era. They can't hide from the clothing choices they made, from the side-high ponytails to neon colored pants and shirts. Some are probably still closet junkies, desperately clinging to paint splattered stirrup pants while popping their collars in a million directions. The point is, ask these people if they have their old clothes. Once you've got the outfit, just match the hair, makeup, and shoes to the look. I'm thinking crazy mohawk, electric blue eye shadows, and untied black Chucks.
Looking for tasty recipes so far this season? My favorite fall foods/drinks are hot chocolate, apple cider, cranberry bread, and lightly pumpkin spiced drinks/breads. Pepperidge Farm just released a new (vegetarian) pumpkin swirl bread that looks tasty. Apple sales are popping up at every store, so now is the time to prep butters, jams, and sauces for storage. Here's a quick and yummy recipe for apple cider that I love to drink hot with a cinnamon stick.
Hot Wassail
1 quart apple juice (freshly juiced or Simply apple brand)
1/2 c. each of lemon and orange juice
Cinnamon, sugar, and clove to taste
Mix ingredients in pot on stove and heat thoroughly. Serve with cinnamon sticks for serving.
And by the way, be on the lookout for this new Halloween flavor of Kool-Aid. I can't find it anywhere :(
~The Vegetarian Cat
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