BSB: Beauty news, makeup swatches and pictures, nail polish articles, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and how-to's from a MAC-trained makeup artist.

Dude- that's PERMANENT!

Just playing around, writing some posts for tomorrow, and came across this fool.

That is a tattoo on his face, folks. Not makeup. Nope! A TATTOO.

8 Days of Halloween - Amazing Halloween makeup!

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There is so much amazing makeup out there everyday, but the freaks artists come out on Halloween Night! Throughout this past week, I've highlighted some themes, but there's so much more! Some didn't fit in the themes others just didn't make it in the posts. Take a look at some of the other great amateur and pro looks I found:

The next two looks are from MAC, created for The Early Show on Friday, 10.30.09:

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More MAC:

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I know you dressed up, right? Share your pic with us by linking to your site in the Comments or emailing a pic to [email protected]. Or Comment with links to some great makeup elsewhere on the web!

8 Days of Halloween - Misc. treats!

Some great Halloween Links

Last-Minute Costumes

• Ya know that busted black umbrella you just haven't gotten around to tossing? Pat yourself on the back for your laziness and create a Halloween masterpiece with it! - Cheap and easy last-minute costumes
• Grab an eyeliner pencil and make a costume in 4 minutes, thanks to BellaSugar! - 15 Ultra-Last Minute Halloween Makeup Ideas
• Dressing as Michael Jackson "too soon"?? - The 7 Deadly Sins of Halloween Fashion
• If you have red lipstick and a nice outfit, you can join the ranks of couture Halloween fashion - Stylish Halloween Costumes

Jack o'Lanterns

• Get inspired - make a fantastic pumpkin this year! - Pumpkin Way (example at right)
• These pumpkins are sick!
• Pumpkin carving at its wildest! - ExtremePumpkins.com
• Pining away for a peek at a Statue of Liberty Jack o' Lantern? Enter stage right: Scott Cummins, pumpkin carver. -PumpkinGutter.com

Halloween Crafts

• "You don't have to be 'Scary' (or even local) to play with this group of alternative crafters!" - Follow along with the folks at ScaryCraft for a gazillion ideas for Halloween crafts.
  
  
• A skeleton + a kitty = Skelekitty! The life of an arts-and-crafts-ing skeleton feline is never easy but always pretty!
  
  
• Adorable mummies are easy and fairly cheap to make.
  
  
  
  
• SUPER COOL: Make a mummified fairy!
  
  
  
  

Cool Sites

• Planning a Halloween wedding for next year? You're not alone, and there's a site to prove it. -Halloweddings.com
• Halloween miscellaneous-ness abounds at Old Fashion Halloween
• If you're in the mood to just browse a cool and dark website, check out The Art of Darkness, which is where the aforementioned mummified fairy.
• LiveJournal group CraftyGoths is a great time-zapper! I could play here for hours. 
• Sure, it's too late to order for this year, but curl up with Etsy.com and search "Halloween" - stock up for next year!
• Are you ready to fully commit to your Goth lifestyle? (Or interested in seeing what that means?) Visit the Gothic Martha Stewart and prepare to get your decorating on!
• Get lost on CreepyCupakes.com - the "Life & Times of a Happy Halloween Homemaker". It's not (just) about food, but rather all sorts of spooky decorating and crafts and all things Halloween.

Costumes:

Fan of Pop Art? Not as much as she is!
(created by a MAC artist, of course)

see more here

Don't you just want to shake him?

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Now, who knew there was an app for that!?

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Truly bizarre:

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[Insert "something's fishy joke here]

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You know this dog is thinking "F-you!"

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What, exactly, is Mr. Lego grabbing with this left hand?

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No. Just... NO:

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I loved these things on Sesame Street! The Yip Yips:

I KNOW you've seen some
great costumes & sites ---
please share in the Comments
so we can all enjoy them!!

Editor's Picks - #1

Ya'll, I did this on request for another site that ended up going nowhere, so I pulled out. But while leaving, I boxed up my posts and brought them with me and thought I'd share. If you like this idea, "Editor's Picks", let me know and I'll do it weekly. If you don't like it, I'll skip it. Vote at the bottom of the post [poll embedded].

Editor's Picks #1
Stuff I like right now

1. NARS The Multiple Coffret - 3 Mini Multiples: Orgasm (pinky peach shimmer), Copacabana (glistening pearl), South Beach (shimmering apricot)
   Seriously, folks, I need this. I've been wanting all three of these, but each full-size is $37. I can get these three minis for $40. Let's face it, I'm never going to use all of a full-size Multiple with all of the makeup I've got, so this size is perfect. Do the math, here - It's essentially 3 for the price of 1. Duuuude...
   
   Oh, wait! Not sure what "a Multiple" is? These are cream-to-powder products in stick form, and they're lightweight, shimmery, and sleek. Use them anywhere - they have multiple uses (Hence the name. Get it!?). Great for highlighted eyes, kissable lips, glowing cheeks, shimmering decollete and shoulders...
   
   Now, if only they'd do a special BSB Set with minis in St. Barts (taupe shimmer), Luxor (iridescent pink) and Portofino (shimmering coral), I'd be in Heaven! They could call it "The pale girl's special"!
   
   
   Sephora Exclusive - Limited Edition $40
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Bond No. 9 - Andy Warhol Success is a Job in New York
   I reviewed this great unisex scent here, already, but I'm still loving it! It's definitely on my Big Bottle Wishlist (for I only have a tiny, dwindling sample!) along with Bond's other Warhol scents (Silver Factory & Lexington Avenue ) and their amazing Chinatown (which I can't believe I haven't reviewed.... but I can't find the link!).
   
   50ml for $145, 100ml for $220
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Purple Lab - Huge Lips Skinny Hips Lip Gloss
   I haven't personally tried this lip gloss, but it gets such rave reviews from everyone who has, I just can't wait to get my hands on it!
   
   Six shades - designed so at least one will work for you! - of silky, non-tacky, plumping (without stinging!), moist, hydrating goodness with a twist! The "skinny hips" part of the name kicks in with the addition of orange peel extract and Hoodia, the former being a metabolism booster while the latter is reported to contain an ingredient (P57, for those of you taking notes) that may signal the brain to make you feel full.
   
   $20 at b-glowing. Visit Purple Lab here.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm
   Amazingly healing and hydrating balm. I reviewed it here. I got a tiny sample from Kiehl's and now need a tub vat! This is saying a lot, because I'm usually fairly underwhelmed by Kiehl's in the bang-for-your-buck department.
   
   8oz for $40 <---- yes, outrageous but totally worth it.
   
   
   
   
5. Living Proof No Frizz Wavy Curl Defining Spray
   We already discussed the No Frizz shampoo and conditioner and why they're unbelievably rad. Now I want this spray! I have wavy hair, but since it's in a pixie at the moment it's a non-issue.,  but should I choose to grow it out again, I'm headed for this product immediately. I will be picking it up for the kid, though.
   
   3.4oz for $24
   
   
   
   
   
6. Judith Leiber Sphere
   Sexy rhinestones light up this Judith Leiber wristlet, so the party is with you no matter where you go!
   
   If you're reading this and you can afford this handbag, I'm not mad at ya! I will, though, encourage you to support your bloggers and send me a donation (email me at [email protected] and I'd be glad to give you my PayPal info!).
   
   A mere $2,495 (I'll take two!)
   
   
   
   
   
7. Marc Jacobs Cammie
   I'd like you to meet my new friend Cammie. She was made for me by design god Marc Jacobs, and her punchy color will melt that early Fall frost! 
   
   $495 at Bloomingdales
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars
   If you haven't tried super-pigmented, meant-to-be-blended lip products yet, you should. I'm eying up Plum and Hush as the newest additions to my kit. A teeny tiny (I mean it!) amount gives a silky, perfect look and the color combinations you can create are endless.
   
   $12.50 through the OCC website
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
9. The Good Wife
   Have you been watching The Good Wife? Julianna Margulies artfully plays the resilient Alicia Florrick, who keeps putting one step in front of the other after her husband (Chris Noth) gets tossed in jail after a very public sex and political scandal.
   Why I love it:
   
   • One word: Julianna Margulies!
   • Archie Punjabi's (shown in pic below) perormance as sarcastic and jaded research assistant, Kalinda.
   • Chris Noth is there (good) but not the focal point (better!). While I love Chris Noth, this show is about Alicia's struggles and not Noth's character. It's clever to focus on the wife herself and only dip into the scandal in quick clips. Noth's character, Peter, isn't even listed on main cast rosters (he's a "guest"), and he's mostly seen via flashback or brief prison visits.
   • Likewise, Christine Baranski is there, but not overwhelmingly so. I find her annoying and think she's an over-actor, though her character here is pretty good. I just think she's got that kind of personality that takes over anything she's doing. Here, though, minimal impact.
   • I'm completely fascinated by the makeup for Alicia. The makeup artist in me is transfixed, trying to figure out if the gorgeous Julianna is purposefully made to look dowdy, or if it's just bad makeup. Her foundation is just a bit too cakey and the eyeshadow used in most scenes is terribly unflattering. I will keep watching to see if her makeup improves as her character gets further from the scandals. (Yes, I'm a geek!)
   
   Catch up on the episodes you've missed and/or find out when it airs next here.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Candy Land Sweet Celebration
    Life is stressful lately, what with rising unemployment rates and dwindling retirement funds. Shake it off with a game! Try an updated version of a childhood fave, Candy Land, and have a little fun tonight.
    
    $19.99
    
      
11. CUTE HATS
    I officially deem this The Year of the Hat. I'm starting with this cozy number from Anthropologie! 
    
    Tieree - $58
    
    
    
    
12. Black Phoenix Trading Post - Down the Rabbit Hole Atmosphere / Linen Spray
    I'm going nuts waiting for Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland. While I wait for it to hit theaters next year, I'll be madly spraying Black Phoenix Trading Post's orange marmalade, daisies, dry leaves and crunchy sticks-scented Down the Rabbit Hole Atmosphere / Linen Spray around my house and waiting for Johnny Depp to show up.
    
    $23 for 4oz & $40 for 8oz
    
    
    

Online Surveys & Market Research

7 Days of Halloween Nail Art - Day 7 (Them Bones)

The Ninja loves Halloween and The Day of the Dead, so today is dedicated to nail art with bones and skulls and skeletons. Happy Hallowen!

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ARRGH, Matey. The Ninja may have to try this one!





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Minx: Dee's Skulls

Minx: Skull Flowers

Minx: Skull & Flames

PS: Do not Google "skull nails" if you don't want to see something like this:

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Comments malfunctioning. *headdesk*

Many apologies for not replying to comments. Well, for the fact that it appears as if I am not replying to comments. I actually have been, but Typepad has had a major FAIL and they haven't been coming in.

You see, they have a "neat" feature that emails me when you guys comment, and then I simply reply to the email and my reply is posted as a comment.

Allegedly.

Only it's not working, but I didn't realize it, so I am so sorry for asking you to de-lurk and then appearing to ignore you! I surely wasn't and I enjoy every single comment and cleverly craft a reply to each one (and then, apparently, email it into the ether, never to be seen again!). I'm about to re-reply to everyone and then pen a nasty note to Typepad.

What are YOU doing today?

8 Days of Halloween '09 | Day 7 - The Monster Mash

Zombies and monsters and goblins - OH MY!  When in doubt, rock a Halloween look that scares and thrills! There are so many ways to go spooky and scary, so this post will be a Monster Mish-Mash.

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Above: Heidi Klum

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I find it hard to pass up an opportunity to throw over to my imaginary best friend, Kandee Johnson, so here ya go - a great way to make fake scars/wounds:

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PS: It cracks me up that when I searched "monster makeup", this came up!

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Vampire makeup - with stuff you probably already have at home!

An "easy" vampire look? Depends on the person trying it, but it's certainly not made with any fancy products. I used foundation, a liquid lighter than my skin, a liquid and powder darker than my skin, and a handful of brown, taupe, grey and burgundy-ish eyeshadows. Oh - I also used a very jelly-like red lipgloss for the dripping blood. Well, there's one other thing I used that helped a lot and isn't necessarily hanging around everyone's vanity is a green concealer (but that can be faked / tweaked).

 

 

Clearly, this isn't a "sexy vampire"!

Steps:

1. Lightened face with a white liquid. I used FACEatelier's Zero Minus, but you could use anything lighter than the skin- even Hallowen-store makeup. You could also really powder the face - anything to mute any normal-looking, healthy vitality!
2. Took a liquid quite a bit darker than my skin to contour. I used FACEatelier's Zero Plus, but you can use an eyeshadow, a dark blush, a bronzer without shimmer, a brown lipstick. I applied this shade to the hollows of my cheeks - rather, where I wanted there to be hollows! I contoured the chin, jawline, temples and forehead. I blended well, then powdered my face.
3. The same darker color got blended into the eye area. I mean: the whole eye area! I pushed it into the hollows of the eye socked above the eye, on the lid, into the crease and above. I used a MAC #217 to do this, then went back with a sponge to build up areas I wanted more dark.
   
   TIP: You know those spots you usually lighten-up with concealer?
   Dark circles, the area between your tearducts and your nose?
   Darken 'em, powder, then darken again!
   
4. I used a fluffy shadow brush (in this case, a MAC #217) to brush a blend of grey, taupe, and burgundy (all matte!) into those same areas, and also under the cheekbones. I then put that color down on the sides of the nose, too, to change the shape ('cause it's Halloween, so why not!?).
5. I used the same brush to pick up a darker blend of greys and taupes (all matte!) and created some darkness around the forehead. The best way to do that is to glare and find the natural lines your face makes - then make 'em darker.
6. Blend everything some more. Tweak the colors until you look dead and angry.
7. I took a green color-corrector concealer and pressed it down the center of my nose, on my cheekbones, and just above the brows (to make it look more like there was a bit of a ridge there). I used my fingers for this and didn't blend too well - just pressed it on and moved on with my life. You could do the same with (matte!) shadows - mix a light grey and a pale green to desired color and then apply.
8. Finish the eyes:
   ~I put a red-red lip liner in the lower waterline (not advising you to do that - it's "off label" and could cause you to have a reaction!), then a brown-red on both lashlines.
   ~I took a pencil brush dipped in burgundy and grey shadows (both matte!) and smudged the liner with that blend. Excellent black-eye look!
   ~An angled brush dipped in water then a darker brown helped me make crazy, wispy brows.
   ~I also used my Urban Decay lash primer to coat my top and bottom lashes well. While still wet, I dusted some taupe (matte!) shadow into them, to make them less visible. Had this been a vampy Vamp look, I would have used falsies, but it's not, so I didn't.
9. Lips were grey and taupe (matte!) shadows pressed into dry lips with my finger, believe it or not. 
10. Blood was key --- this is a vampire look, right? I used a jelly-like clear bright red gloss (from Lipstick Queen) and put it on the very inside of my lips, top and bottom. I glopped a good amount on then slowly dragged my finger away, letting the drips fall where they might. I did the same thing on the outer, lower corners of my eyes, then took what was left on my finger and patted it on the outer corners of my top lids. Voila! My eyes looked bloody, wet, and creepy. Sweet.
11. Add cape.
12. Done!

Whoops! Accidentally played with photoshop again! :)

Your mani is boring. Vol. 2

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SSSSSSsssssssssserioussssssly Ssssssssssssstrange...

This gives a new meaning to "nail art":

It's pretty wicked. I think it's Ninja-Approved.

Jessica Simpson in India

I happen to have a love affair for the Indian culture.


I don not love Jessica Simpson.

I am not sure how I feel about these pics:

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How corny...

The Ninja did a candy corn mani. It's silly. She likes it!

It's also an interesting blend of high and low products. The whitish shade is by Shu Uemura, the Orange is Firespot by MAC, and the yellow is a little Sally Girl shade (=cheap!).

The Ninja apologizes for the state of the mani - it was cloudy yesterday after application
and there seems to be no maid around to do the dishes, so The Ninja had to do them.

7 Days of Halloween Nail Art - Day 5 (Do you want some candy, little girl!?)

It's Halloween. We can beat around the bush and decorate our nails with ghosts and ghouls, or we can just cut to the chase and put candy on 'em!

Everyone likes candy an sweets, even the people who are virtuous and don't eat it! The Ninja is partial to dark chocolate. How 'bout you?

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And as a real stretch, just do Skittles nails!

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8 Days of Halloween '09 | Day - You're such a doll!

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I think this might be the most fun research I've ever done! There are so many amazing makeup artists out there and doing this "doll" search brought up so many clever and pretty ideas. I love my job.

Dolls are another common Halloween costume choice (often for teens), but I think adult women overlook it as a viable option. Really, not too hard to put together in part because so many different looks can be created! And almost all of us have something in the old closet for a costume, or we could easily get stuff at thrift stores (or high end stores if you like - great reason to check out the local Betsey Johnson boutique!).

There's not just one kind of doll, though I admit when I started this search and thought "doll costume" I immediately pictured the traditional "baby doll" look or that hyper-sexed-up adult doll atrocity. But just browsing here will give you some new ideas, I think! It sure did me.

I'm partial to the gothic or broken-doll looks, myself, but those of you who know me won't be surprised to hear that! I also love the super-sweet looks (see Galliano look above) and the more cartoon-y looks (again, no surprises here!). What are your favorites!?

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To Do:

• Make eyes look extra big, either with exaggerated makeup that goes way outside the margins, or by bright and light colors. Doll eyes are big and round, so avoid angles and hard shapes. Use curves and blend if appropriate (depending on what kind of dolllike look you're going for).
• LASHES, LASHES, LASHES. Lots of lengthening mascara over an extending primer is great, or grab some falsies (you can even put on more than one pair for a lot of oomph!) A trick to make eyes look rounder: take a strip lash and cut it in half. Place the 1/2 strip in the center of the upper lashes to make the top of the eye more prominent. You can also concentrate lengthening mascara in the center of both top and bottom lashlines to fake roundness. Another great trick: draw on lashes or place a strip lash about 1/2 an inch below the lower lashline and color in between white (don't forget to do bottom waterline white, too).
• Dolls have no flaws! Skin must be perfect. If you want freckles, draw 'em on, but obliterate your own and any other flaws with full-coverage foundation before putting on makeup. To really clear away anything human, moisturize skin and let it soak in, then conceal everything and anything you see. Then put on multiple thin layers of foundation, waiting in between applications to let them set, until perfection is achieved. You can buff a shimmer powder or illuminating lotion into the skin to get a high-shine plastic finish (MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes are great for this, but there are a gazillion shimmer products to choose from, including eyeshadows you may already have!). 
• Cheeks are usually played up with rosy hints or bold circles.
• Cartoon-style doll? Use bright colors and try cream formulas for more punch. Ditto some gothic style dolls. Porcelain doll or "pretty" doll? Use powders and soft dreamy shades.
• Lips depend on the doll style, too, but often reshaping the natural lip is helpful. Use your white makeup or foundation to cover your lips first, then redraw using the appropriate colors for your doll style. Try an exaggerated cupid's bow or even a heart! You can gloss or not - play around and see what you think looks best!

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(I so wish the stupid lion wasn't in this picture, don't you?)





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PSST! Look below: that's no lady! lol

7 Days of Halloween Nail Art - Day 4 (Witchy Woman)

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Nota lot of witches on nails, but lots of fun ideas if you're playing witch on Halloween!

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That's Susan Sarandon!
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Minx:  Alligator Skin

Minx: Black with Red Flames


Minx: Black w/ White Moon



Minx: Gold Lightening




Minx: French Manicure with Silver Lightening Tip






Minx: Large Scales Snakeskin









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Good Witch? by OPI

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What a witch.

Felt witchy today, so I naturally acted out!

The above is photoshopped, because I wanted to see if I could do it. :) I'm teaching myself photoshop, so I changed the skintone (obviously!).

I wanted to play with an "easy" witch look that fell somewhere between "just" green eye makeup and a full-on green look with fake nose, etc. Those things are great, but I wanted to do an informal series of makeup for Halloween that shows you can fairly easily sketch in an idea with products you already have at home (or can pick up without hassle--- and cheaply!).

This is what I came up with, but of course as soon as I 'shopped the green in I wish I had gone all of the way with the makeup!

Here's what it looks like without the green filter:

So, with an eye to proving it can be done cheaply with what you have at home or with one a few additions, I won't be saying which products I used (except one cool one).

Face: Witches can have so many different looks, but I wanted a bit of that Evil Queen Witch look with fair skin and red lips, so I started by whiting down the face. You could use a shimmer cream, a foundation lighter than your own, or mix a light luminizer with your own. I used Face atelier's Zero Minus all over the face, then loaded on some too-light mineral powder I happened to have tossed in a drawer after realizing it wasn't my shade. I used a burgundy blush for a bit of color - the shade matches one of the colors I put on my lips, so they all tie together. Cohesion really helps a look appear more "done".

Contouring: I wanted to change the shape of my face a bit, but didn't want to apply prosthetics or glue over my brows or any of that nonsense (which is super cool, but not the point of this particular look!). I took a taupe-beige eyeshadow and used it for most of my reshaping. I contoured the cheeks heavily using an angled shader brush. The shape and application was much more dramatic than my usual contouring - I used a steeper pitch from temple to just below the pupil around the area of the tip of the nose. I also shaded the outer portion of my cheekbone, which usually curves outward - I wanted to blunt that shape and make it look like I had a longer, thinner face --- you know: "witchy", whatever that means. I also shaded the outer "corner" of the jawline for the same reason. I took a fluffy shader brush for eye makeup and used the same contour color along the sides of my nose to make it look longer, and then pushed up the tip of my chin a bit, too. I took a firmer brush and dusted in a bit of a chin cleft, just for grins. :)

Eyes: I wanted a strong green look, so I put a green cream shadow on first to help intensify the shades I put on top (optional). I used only two green shadows here - both from Yaby. Eyes could be more elaborate or less, depending on what you want, of course. I just wanted simple. A brighter "grass green" went from lashline all of the way up to the brow. A darker green was placed in the inside of the nose and up to the brows, then blended into the other green, to help add to the elongation of the nose and the plunge of the brows. Speaking of brows, I took a small angled liner brush, spritzed it with water (or you could dab it into a wet tissue) and tappped it into some matte black shadow. First I traced my own brows, then exaggerated their shape with a stiffer arch, then pulled the inner corner in and down to look a tad evil (I hope). Black liner went across the top lid and got smudged along the bottom lashes, too. I used a black pencil on the waterline, but the angled brush and wet black shadow works great for that, too! I tossed on some false lashes (they're cheapie Ardells from Sally Beauty), too, but a few passes with a lengthening liner would work, too.

Lips: Super basic. Could have done green, but was feeling an easy red today! I used a lip brush to place a bright red lipstick on the entire lip, then took a burgundy lip liner and darkened the corners and bottom of the lower lip. Then a black sparkly gloss went on top, but a red or clear would have been cool, too. By the way, I did overdraw the lips a bit, trying to get a more shapely look. I exaggerated and curved the top lip and pulled the bottom lip down a bit in the center, too. That's not necessary, but fun if you're in the mood.

Summary:

Is this a terribly complex look? Not really. Is it the best witch makeup in the world? No.
But I did it in about 10 minutes, which means you can too.
Maybe next year I'll do "fancy" makeup tutorials on YouTube
but I will think it's important to do some attainable looks to show you that
YOU can do this, too!

Great sources for cheap makeup:
Look at Sally Beauty for little nail polishes, shadows, lipticks.
Check out the drugstores and Walmart to see what they have...
Dollar Stores actually have makeup a lot of the time.
If you ever have an opportunity to pick u one of those "blockbuster sets" somewhere
(Sephora, Ulta, Kohls, etc) they often have colors you might not use
except at times like this, but you get a ton and will have 'em forever!

 

8 Days of Halloween '09 | Day 3 - Witchy Woman!

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Ruby hair and ruby lips
Sparks fly from her finger tips
Echoed voices in the night
She's a restless spirit on an endless flight
Wooo hooo witchy woman,
see how high she flies
-The Eagles

Witches. Sort of typical Halloween fare, but that doesn't have to mean "boring". The great thing about portraying a witch is that the costume can be as complex or as simple as you like! Most of a witch costume is accessories, but makeup for this idea is fun, too. You can go buy the secret recipe to recreate Elphaba's green skin, a la Wicked (out of respect for my best friend, I'll hold off on the secret ingredients for now...), or you can simply put on a bit of green eyeshadow, toss on a pointy hat, grab the kitchen broom and fly!

To Do:

• Face makeup - As I mentioned, do a simple and basic green eye (false lashes optional) and keep it basic but pretty. Or paint the face a dull or green shade, amp up the brows, pop on a false (and warty) nose, and tint the lips green. I prefer the OTT witches below - the ones that resembled a wizened crone. Those are my favorites! But the green look works, too, as do twists like red witches, using purpled, or even pulling a white witch and sprinkling on that glitter you never get to use! Hair can be slicked back in a ponytail under the hat of choice, or can billow about the face in shades of grey, white, silver, green, purple, orange, blonde or black. Do you se how easy this is!?
• Costume - Crones wear old and raggy dresses and limp along over a cane. White witches are in repurposed prom dresses or wedding dresses, often have tiaras, and sometimes have wands. Black capes are an easy (and often cheap!) find, and costume shops have cloaks in an array of shades. Carry a basket of creepy stuff, haul around a crystal ball, or tote a broom. Lots of easy solutions are handy. In fact, if you're a bit more of a cartoony witch take along a black stuffed cat (I'm talking about a toy, not a taxidermy cat, but it's up to you!).

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OK, I know the Wiccan community (and other practicing witches) can get a bit put-off by folks who dress as witches at Halloween, but I mean no offense! I actually have a lot of respect for the Wiccan religion. Send all scathing emails to jen@beautyschoolblog!

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OPI takes a trip to Wonderland

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And VOILA!

Now in nail polish:

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Off with Her Red! – A glowing, empowering hot red
The Red Queen: Cruel ruler of Underland, she cuts off the heads of those who disagree with her. She would rather be feared than loved.

Absolutely Alice - An absolutely amazing blue glitter
Alice Kingsley: Beautiful but slightly off-kilter, sees the world differently than most. In the Rabbit Hole, she seeks to write her own destiny.

Mad as a Hatter – A madly marvelous black-multi glitter
The Mad Hatter: Formerly the White Queen’s hatter. Now, he is part of the Underland Resistance and driven to madness by guilt.

Thanks So Muchness! - For this ”much-have” red shimmer
And lastly…; As if the tale was not adventurous enough, one more shade to color your own Underland over and over.

8 Days of Halloween '09 | Day 2 - Clowns

“There is nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight….”

Lon Chaney




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There are two schools of thought on this one:

Clowns are fun vs. Clowns are terrifying

Where do you stand?

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Types of Clowns:

1. Traditional Circus Clown ("Whiteface Clown") / Auguste
   These are somewhat similar-looking clowns. The "Whiteface" has --- well, a white face. And hands. And any other skin not covered by clothing. This is "the King of the Clowns" and what most people picture when they hear "clown". Usually a leader, usually smarter than other clowns, often bossy - but this kind of clown has varying personalities, so don't feel hemmed in! For makeup: paint visible skin (including the whole face, neck, ears, hands) white, then use bright colors to accent the eyes, nose and mouth in a style that suits you and your inner clown. Some Whiteface Clowns wear modest domed hats, others are more exaggerated or "grotesque" and have bald caps, zany bold and fuzzy hair, or tall hats with flowers that shoot water. Clothing is usually a one-piece outfit with contrasting colors, but feel free to be a "character clown" who wears clown makeup and a business suit. The sky is the limit!
   
   Auguste clowns are quite similar to Whiteface Clowns, but... well, let's just put it out there: they ain't too smart! They're a bit more crazy, more over-the-top, and certainly involved in a lot of slapstick and pratfalls. Rather than a white base, the Auguste uses an exaggerated flesh-tone makeup as a canvas for brightly accentuated, exaggerated features. Picture a clown in ginormous shoes and billowy pants, with a big tall head with a tiny perched hat on top stumbling around the circus ring, and you've got an Auguste.
   
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2. Mime
   White, black, red. Those are the keys, and SILENCE! Paint the face white, like a mask. Trace around the outside with black paint. Exaggerated but simple eyebrows high above your own and black lining and marks around the eyes help facial expressions be easily read by the audience. Red lips finish the look. Wear: Black, black and white stripes, or black/white with a touch of red (like a scarf). Then proceed to shut up and irritate everyone by imitating them and pretending to be in a box.
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3. Pierott / European Whiteface / Jester
   A smart clown, usually dressed well in satiny blouses or one-pieces. This is a Whiteface Clown, but think more "jester". These are usually sad clowns, dressed in black, white or red. Makeup is similar to that of a Mime, but a a tear or keep liner and even lipstick down-turned. The Jester is more of a prankster or jokester, often found entertaining royalty in brightly colored garb topped with a 3-tipped hat with jingle bells. Their makeup is obviously going to be more upbeat than the Pierott - often shown with triangles or harlequin patterns on the face. For these, try glitter and bright colors!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Sad Tramp & Happy Hobo
   The Sad Tramp has a rough life, and his sad expression and tattered-looking clothes are the proof. Turn the frown upside down and you have the Happy Hobo, who you can think of as the same clown, but with his cup half full. Makeup is similar to that of the Auguste, with the addition of a "5 o'clock shadow" on appropriate characters. Be sure to exaggerate the normal features with the makeup you choose, so you can easily portray emotion. Bag Lady Clowns are often the feminine version of these clowns, with others in this style can be Keystone Cop types, hillbilly style clowns, or other "hard-luck" or scrappy types.
   
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5. Scary, Evil Clown
   Take any of the types of clowns discussed, change the shape of the eyebrows, possibly add a creepy texture to the skin, fluff up the hair and practice your cackle. Axe or machete completely optional.
   
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   More Inspiration:

   
   

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PS: That's Neil Patrick Harris!

And the next one is the singer Pink:

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I know, I know  - it's a painting, but its still a righteously evil Jester!
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And a tribute to a great actor and terrifying clown:

7 Days of Halloween Nail Art - Day 3 (cats & bats)

Don't let a black cat cross your path... but if you spend too much time looking down, you'll miss the bats swooping around!

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