[ HALLOWEEN ]
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mia Sen is pretty in a pink princess costume, her eyelids turned a lovely blue with homemade face paint.
Some common items can
add grotesquely realistic
touches to your costume
Halloween allows people to drop their daily guises -- whether as accountant or zookeeper -- to awaken their alter egos, whether they are at heart a vampire, monster or princess. The path toward transformation is usually the nearest costume shop, but creative folks can make their own costumes and, to go further, whip up their own witches' brew of haunting makeup.
Homemade face paints, blood and even scabs, bruises and unsightly moles can be created using ordinary items from one's pantry. The formulas are inexpensive when you make them yourself, and the whole family can join in the fun.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
John Paul Arcayna goes for the gore with home made "blood."
Vaseline mixed with food coloring and cocoa powder makes some ugly-looking wounds. When the wounds are attached to the face, the result is a nightmarish "Freddy Krueger" appearance. Red and blue eye shadows can be used to make bruises and abrasions. Yellow and blue shadows can be used to create late-stage bruises. Abrasions can also be made using eye shadows and dirt or cocoa powder. For a more terrifying appearance, dabble some blood over the area.
Scabs can be created using cornmeal and paprika. Corn syrup works well as an adhesive when applying tissue or other grotesque additions to the body. Peppercorns can be used as warts that give the raised appearance you can't get with Magic Marker or eyebrow pencil.
For a simpler look, face paints can be used. A palette of colors placed in a muffin tin can beautify a princess or create hands reminiscent of the "Creature from the Black Lagoon."
Because many of the recipes call for red food coloring, the mixtures may stain clothing. The makeup is meant to be washed off with soap and warm water. If that fails, at least Halloween falls on Friday, and hopefully any stain that lingers on your skin will disappear over the weekend.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ghoulish body paint is a snap to mix up for special effects such as scabby wounds, left, and gnarly mummified skin, right.
An Internet search revealed some ghoulish recipes to try:
Mix all ingredients together. This amount makes one color. Make several colors, keeping each separate in a muffin tin. Wash off with soap and water.Basic face paint
www.notjustbeans.com1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon water
1/2 teaspoon cold cream
Food coloring
In bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Gradually stir in corn syrup and water until smooth. Divide mixture among 4 bowls. Color 3 batches using different shades of food coloring. Leave one batch untinted.Creepy face paint
www.recipesource.com3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon food coloring
1 box facial tissues
Cotton swabs
Separate tissues into single layers creating 2-inch-wide strips. Using swabs or brush, paint generous coat of untinted mixture on skin; place strip of tissue over area; pat firmly with fingertips. Brush on more of same mixture to cover any dry spots on tissue. Let dry about 15 minutes.
Once dry, add desired colors. Paint on one color at a time, and allow paint to dry between coats. Do not paint eyelids or around eyes. For a ghoulish effect, dust face with flour. Washes off with warm soap and water.
Mix ingredients together in a bowl. A squirt of dish soap can also be added to help the blood run well.Fake blood
2/3 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon red food coloring
2 to 3 drops of blue food coloring (to darken)
Place petroleum jelly in a bowl. Add food coloring. Blend with a toothpick.Fake wound
www.notjustbeans.com1 tablespoon petroleum jelly
Pinch cocoa powder or dirt
Food coloring
Facial tissues
Stir in a pinch of cocoa to make darker blood color. Separate tissues. Using one layer, tear the tissue into a 2-by-3-inch piece and place at wound site.
Cover the tissue with petroleum jelly and mold into the shape of a wound.
The center should be lower than the sides. Fill the center with the petroleum jelly mixture. Sprinkle some cocoa on the center or a little around the edges to add color.
Click for online
calendars and events.
