Halloween Make Up

How To Use Halloween Makeup

Clown faces, skulls, vampires, kitties and a thousand other makeup designs are possible for the Halloween holiday. But makeup can be a real chore to apply. Here are some tips from the Hollywood pros to make your face-decorating safer, less work and more fun.

Use quality makeup and facial products. All contemporary department store makeup is designed to be healthy for your skin. But things like spirit gum, heavy green or black face coverings, or (yikes!) dyes can cause problems. Stick to well-made products from trusted manufacturers that are specifically meant for Halloween and you can't go wrong.

Test for allergic reactions on small portions of the face, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Each of these sections can react differently to different compounds. The skin is a different thickness in each area, has different kinds of hair and varying pore structure. Apply and allow to dry for an hour, then remove it and look for any undue reddening and bumps.

Similarly, avoid using any makeup that causes eye or lung allergies. Spirit gum is particularly noxious to some, since it sits right under the nose and around the mouth. Any eye shadow or facial cream that produces tearing should be discarded.

Pancake or base is usually the first to go on. It helps create an even 'canvas' for your face and permits easier makeup removal later. Theatrical pancake has been used by stage actors for generations and the quality and usefulness just keeps getting better and better. Apply lightly with a sponge then powder.

Cream-based makeup is perfect for creating an overall color for ghosts, devils and more. It feels somewhat like grease paint (a very old type of thick makeup), but is much easier to remove and better for your skin.

For those all-important highlights, a tube stick is perfect for highlights, lines and small special designs. Use them sparingly. Never substitute an ink pen, magic marker or similar device. Not only will you have to scrub forever to get the material off, but it's unhealthy for the skin.

For overall body painting, buy makeup that is specifically labeled as body paint. Apart from the need to easily remove it later, and health issues, it will spread more evenly without permanently staining skin or clothes. Speaking of health, always leave patches around the body unpainted. Air has to pass in and moisture out for the body to regulate itself properly. Some makeup can hinder that function.

Mustaches, fake eyebrows and more are applied with adhesive. Spirit gum is traditional, but can be difficult to remove. Here again, be sure to buy a quality product and you will protect your skin from harmful compounds.

Latex is best reserved for those who have more experience. Skin tearing, ammonia used in manufacture, and more can cause problems for the novice. Latex prosthetics are another matter. They are formations made from this special rubber-like material and attach to the skin with adhesive, rather than cover it like a second skin. Different considerations apply.

Use makeup the way the pros do and you'll have a safe and fun Halloween.

Halloween Makeup Removal Tips

You don't necessarily have to limit yourself to Halloween makeup that can be removed solely with soap and water. But what you use and how you apply it can make the job ultra-easy or absurdly difficult. To make your after-Halloween chore closer to the former than the latter, follow some of the methods used by the Hollywood pros.

Soap and water will work for some types of makeup, but for many a real makeup remover is best. Not only does it get rid of all the makeup, but it cleanses the skin and leaves the pores open.

Removing all Halloween makeup after the evening's festivities is a must. Leaving it on for hours is hard enough on the skin. Sleeping in it keeps it on for hours longer and grinds it into the pores, almost guaranteeing problems. The skin has to exchange air, in and out, to stimulate healthy reactions and minimize acne. Clogged pores are the major factor in creating pimples and other problems.

Also, be sure to use a remover that is appropriate to the type of makeup you're trying to get off.

Non-oil based makeup is used for eye shadow, blush and powders. Here, soap and water may be enough. But specially formulated remover will do a more thorough job and leave pores in the best condition afterward. Naturally, you'll want to be especially careful around the eyes, just as you would with everyday makeup.

Oil-based makeup types are used to apply lip covering, mascara and other heavy coatings. Because they contain various fat derivatives, a distinct remover is needed. This second type of makeup will also take a bit more effort to remove completely, which is even more important for this category.

Thick makeup left on for long periods clogs pores even more than non-oil based types. Nevertheless, avoid excessive scrubbing. Irritating the skin via harsh pressure with a washcloth or sponge is just as likely to produce skin problems as the makeup itself.

Mineral oil can work with eye makeup that comes off easily. A cotton ball is best whenever it is enough to do the job. Heavy eye makeup can often be removed with petroleum jelly and a damp washcloth. Use warm water and be patient. Cold cream is another option.

Stubborn eye makeup requires a solvent. Using it, even thick mascara will come off easily without scrubbing. A gentle rub, taking care to avoid the eyeball itself of course, is all that's needed. It also rinses cleanly, where mineral oil will take quite a while to wash off.

Once you've removed all makeup completely, follow with a gentle soap and wash as you would at the end of a regular day. Pat dry and allow the skin to recover a while before pressing or covering any part with a pillow. A little moisturizer is a good idea, but don't overdo it. Some people swear by toners, but pros know they can be drying. Proceed with care.

Monitor the skin closely the next couple of days for dry patches, redness or other signs of allergic reaction.