Knowing what steps to take

Don't start making your costume and makeup plans the night before Halloween. Do some advance planning and get all the materials, props, costume and makeup items you'll need ahead of time. If you wait too long, what you need or want may not be available.

When Halloween finally does come around, start your preparations early in the day. Set all your materials and makeup out to make sure you have everything you'll need. Give yourself time for a last minute trip to the store.

Decide if you should put your makeup on before or after getting in costume. If your costume is one that can easily be put on without touching your face and messing up your makeup, go ahead and do your makeup first. It's easier to put makeup on when you are not in costume because you don't have to worry about messing up your costume.

However,  if your costume is going to be difficult to put on, go ahead and get into it before putting on your makeup. Simply drape a towel around your neck to protect your costume from makeup splatters and drips. This way you can do a great job on your makeup and not accidentally mess it up while putting on your costume.

Get your hair out of the way.   Now that you are ready to begin with the makeup, secure a scarf around your head so that all your hair is covered. This will keep your face makeup out of your hair, prevent your hair from messing up your makeup and will give you a clear view of your whole face.

Be thoughtful. Use a couple of mirrors (one on either side) to study your face. Take a moment to imagine the makeup on your face before applying it. Taking a little time to mentally plan how you're going to put on your makeup can help prevent frustrating mistakes and may give you some new ideas.

Have fun! Nothing is too strange for Halloween, so be creative!  If you decide at the last minute that you want to try something wild, go for it!  If it doesn't work out, you've (hopefully) started early and will have time to clean up and go back to the original plan.

Ingredients to make your own make up !

2 tablespoons of soft shortening
4 tablespoons of cornstarch
Food coloring (color of your choice)

Make-up is not only fun to make, apply and wear, but it's much safer than masks, since it doesn't obstruct your vision.

	Wash your face and any area that you will be applying makeup to and than dry thoroughly.
	Wrap a towel or old cloth around your neck to prevent makeup from getting on your costume.
	Apply a thin coat of cold cream to the entire face. Be extra careful when applying around the eyes.
	Using a cotton ball, gently pat cornstarch over the face. Keep your eyes closed.
	Mix together all of the ingredients.   Separate the recipe into different cups if you want to make more than one color and apply to the skin with fingers.   For a faster cleanup, use paper cups to put the makeup in.
	Apply makeup! Go have FUN!
	Note: This will keep for several weeks if refrigerated.
	Now..........look below to see how to remove make up!   It follows the How-To Ideas.

Applying Make Up for Different Costumes

Old As The Hills - When trying to look old, don't just draw dark lines on your skin to look like wrinkles. First cover the skin in a lighter than normal color using baby powder or white blemish cover stick. Then draw the dark lines and slightly blend them to the surrounding area with your finger. Then add baby powder to give the skin that old, dry look. You can also use the baby powder in your hair to get that gray look.

Get Bit - If you want to be a Vampire, first cover face in white powder makeup or white blemish cover stick. Outline sharp eyebrows, and then fill in with black makeup. Draw lines on the face with reddish-brown makeup, and blur the edges a bit. Outline the eyes and draw a line up about an inch from the outside edge of the eye. Drip fake blood from the edges of the mouth. (see below for details on making fake blood).   Comb hair into a point in the middle of the forehead. Use fake teeth to complete the transformation.

Which is Witch? - To look like a witch, cover the face in green or white powder makeup or white blemish cover stick. With a black makeup stick, draw lines in a "V" in the middle of the forehead and create some lines around the mouth. Draw lines on the hands with an eyeliner pen; almost follow the veins to make the hands look old. Tease and spray hair with a super stick hairspray. Place in a few plastic bugs.

For scars and sores: Combine pink or green face tissue with corn syrup.

For facial hair: Use the hair from an old stuffed toy or hairbrush and attach with double stick tape or fake eyelash adhesive.

For blood: Combine red food color and corn syrup. After dripping the blood where you want it to be, don't let the edges of the blood smear. Give the fake blood plenty of time to dry and be mindful not to wipe your face later on in the evening!

For blood and gore: Use red food color, corn syrup and chunky peanut butter.

Removing Makeup

Mix a teaspoon of Carnation Nonfat Dry Milk with warm water, apply with a cotton ball, wipe clean, and rinse.