With Halloween just around the corner, Niamh Linehan provides some tips and tricks for some blood curdling, budget friendly, costumes.
As the old song goes, Halloween is coming. Although the days of cutting a hole in a black bin liner and calling it a costume (thanks Mam!) may be behind us, that doesn’t mean that you can’t embrace the thrifty school of thought when it comes to planning a gruesome get up. Here are some ghoulish looks that will require a only little bit of effort and even less cash.
Day of the Dead:
See a Youtube tutorial here
A Halloween favourite in recent years despite its culturally appropriative overtones, the Day of the Dead make up can work for both guys and girls. The Sugar Skull look can be achieved using products found in most make up bags and a quick trip to an arts and crafts shop should provide you with the white face paint needed for the base. If you’re feeling super thrifty, hit up a Pound Shop for some cheap supplies, although be warned – you may find your face flaking into your drink fairly early into the evening.
Vampy Vampire:
See a Youtube tutorial here
The great thing about Halloween is that you can make anything that is scary become sexy. Case in point, the Vampy Vampire. This is ideal for anyone who has been too disorganised to pull an elaborate costume together or for those who want to embrace the scary theme but still look hot. Don a black dress, pop some novelty teeth in your mouth and this spine-chillingly sultry look is complete.
Stitch mouth:
See a Youtube tutorial here
This is another Halloween make up trick that works just as well for the boys as it does for the girls. While this look is relatively inexpensive to achieve, it is time consuming due to the intricateness of applying the stitches around your mouth. If you are willing to put in the time, the finished effect is definitely worth the effort. You will need to invest in some eyelash glue and thread, unless you already have these lying around the house. Most girls will have all the other products needed in their make up bag. If you’re a guy, it’s time to hit up your gal pals and ring in a favour.
Movie characters:
See a Youtube video here
For some of us, any amount of effort is too much. If you can’t be bothered with make up or face paint to complete your look, then a tried and tested winner is opting for the comedy costume. A good one for the guys is Nigel from 10 Things I Hate About You. A vest jumper, a wheel of Brie and a nametag that says Nigel (just so people geddit y’see) is all you need to pull off this costume. A super simple option for the girls involves a red dress and a vertically blow-dried fringe to emulate that iconic scene from There’s Something About Mary. They may be oldies, but they’re goodies.
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