So, last night was Halloween and, theatre dork that I am, I couldn't resist dressing up. I dug out an old "vampiress" costume that I bought in high school from CVS. I don't typically go for the ready-made costumes, usually I string together costumes from what I happen to have or can find in the thrift store, but apparently this one intrigued me enough to change my habit. Initially, I was just going to do a witch since I have a witch hat lying around, but then I remembered I have stage blood in my stage kit. So, naturally, I wanted to use my fake blood. I took several pictures, none really show my teeth since I do not possess fangs and I didn't want to get them at the last minute.
For the first half-hour I was even sitting on my front porch amongst fake cobwebbing that I put up a week earlier that covered nearly everything because it just kept stretching! I threw on a velvet cape I have from a fancy costume company called
The Pyramid Collection because it was chilly out, but eventually I got bored. We don't get a ton of trick-or-treaters.
I was quite pleased with the result, especially my make-up. I thought I would share what products I used. If you are interested in a video tutorial that is very similar to this look, check out this
Seductive Vampire one by MichellePhan!
Foundation: If you follow my youtube channel, you know I don't go for the liquid foundations, Instead I typically opt for powder/mineral. However, one of my products I have is Revlon Photoready Compact Makeup, which is a cream-to-powder spf 20 product I apply with an Ecotools Foundation Brush. I don't use it that often because it is a little too light for me save in the dead of winter, but I figured since vampires are nocturnal, I should use a lighter foundation, so I did. I applied it a little thicker than usual, (and down to my decollete!) and had to buff it with a kabuki brush afterward because it got a bit cakey, but it gave me a slightly paler look. Color = Vanilla
Concealer: I only used this for covering zits and redness for a more flawless face, I ignored my under eye circles for this look, though because the foundation was worn thicker you can't really tell that much. I used Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer (I know, discontinued!) in "cream" because it was matte. Fun fact: I applied the concealer first because of the nature of the foundation.
Eyebrows: I actually filled in/darkened my naturally dark eyebrows because I figure vampires should have well defined eyebrows. I used the ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit, but if you have lighter eyebrows, you may wish to use a pencil instead. I just worked with what I have naturally.
Eyeshadow: I mostly used my Diamond Cosmetics 48 shade mineral eyeshadow palate, but I also threw in a shade or two from my ELF 36 shade eyeshadow palate. I did not prime my eyes, but I also only needed it to last a couple hours. First, I used a pinkish-reddish matte shade from the Diamond and applied it from my lash-line to my eyebrow, concentrating on the lid using a basic flat eyeshadow brush. I then used a burgundy shade, also from Diamond, and applied that on the outer portion of my lid and outer-V using a domed crease brush, I then used the tip of my flat brush and dusted the burgundy under my lower lash line like a liner. I took a warm brown shade from my ELF and used that to define the crease and outer-V, I used a smudger brush to use the brown to line my eyes all around. I took a shimmery white shade from ELF and highlighted my brow bone.
Eyeliner: I used a cream eyeliner with my ELF angled eyeliner brush, but a pencil would work too. I initially wanted a flat black and intended to use my Wet n Wild cream liner, but it was a bit dry for the brush I was using and I was running out of time to fight with it, so I used a Physician's Formula one instead, I grabbed the black with green-shimmer and rimmed my eyes all around. I drew a point down from my tear-duct, and I thickened the line at the outer upper lash line a-la 60s Mod. I then dipped my smudger brush in the deepest shade in my Diamond palate (a matte black, or very close to it) and set to work smudging and softening the eyeliner. It was very creamy so it smudged beautifully. I also brought some of the black into my crease/outer-V using the smudger, I wasn't precise.I also extended the line making a wing to compliment the tear-duct.
Eyelashes: I simply curled my lashes and applied a generous amount of black mascara, I used Physician's Formula Organic Wear in Black Organics, but feel free to use your preferred mascara.
Cheeks: I didn't use any blush, I just contoured more than usual. I used the ELF Studio Countouring Blush and Bronzer. I used a big eyeshadow "blending" brush for more color concentration. I took the bronzer under my cheekbones and down the sides of my nose, and to a lesser extent my temples. I then blended out the harsh edges. I took the same brush and my Hard Candy Moonglow Luminizing powder and highlighted the tops of my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. I wanted to look more gaunt.
Lips: Very very basic. I prepped my lips with a balm, I believe an EOS sphere and then I applied Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Crimson. I used the pencil that came with my Hard Candy Glamoflage Concealer (which is too light for me under normal circumstances, btw) to make the edge of my lips very precise. I topped it off with a deep red gloss I received in a kit years ago.
Blood: I took a q-tip and dipped it in my fake blood and applied it where I felt there might be some drippage had I just had a snack. You can go as crazy as you want, I decided I was a tidy vampire so I made very little mess. I happen to have Ben Nye, but there are a plethora of cheaper versions available around Halloween
Hair: I just combed it and finger-tousselled. I happen to currently have quite long, naturally straight hair. Had I had more time, I might have dyed my hair slightly darker.
For added fun, you could add colored contact lenses to up the creepy. I have naturally light eyes, but I wonder if they would have appeared bluer had I used the black with blue shimmer?
