Halloween Transformation (part 1)
The Skull
This is a handy guide for a rapid costume idea that, with hair down and black clothes, can get you out of the door in thirty minutes – use this if you want to take it to the next level . . .
Feel for the bones in your face as to create a good skull you over define your natural bone structure. I put a primer on my sensitive skin and some people use Vaseline (let it sit for a few minutes to absorb) but for water based face paints you should fine. Dampen the sponge and begin the white out phase, I left out around my eyes and you can leave out the tip of your nose too because these will be black, but remember to cover your lips (they take a lot of dabbing with white).
I drew in the features with black eyeliner; around the eye socket and up along the brows for the eyes.
As my pencil was diminishing rapidly I then drew two thin lines either side of the bridge of my nose then connected these to the edges of my nostrils for to create a black triangle around my nose.
I then drew in the teeth before the pencil vanished entirely by drawing a line where the lips meet and extending it out to either side – it often helps if you smile slightly to get a natural upward curve. Draw teeth with slightly curved lines and make the top slightly bigger that the bottom.
Fill in the nose and eyes, using black eyeliner for the edges and around the eye, use black eye-shadow to set it for a really dark look.
Dab a little black onto your temples and up along the hairline at the edge of your forehead.
Darken under your cheekbones and blend it down to above the jawbone, bringing it forward to meet the teeth. I also did a little under the lower teeth but keep that light. Then add a dark line under your jawbone. If you notice patches of skin emerging through the white leave it to dry then add another layer of white.
I darkened my neck and drew a line of white before quickly flicking the white sponge to the side to give an impression of a spine, but that’s up to you and your costuming – make sure all skin is either blacked out or painted like a skeleton a la the awesome make up below.
Voila!
For a celebration of the Day of the Dead break out your creative side – I used my little finger thickly dipped in red face paint but the end of a brush handle or a round lid works really well to create spots. Sequins, colourful eyeliners and glittery eye shadow all over your eye looks incredible. Find some flowers for your hair and a flamenco/maxi/vintage dress and you are set to dance the night away!
