Author: Alison

Guide to Buying and Wearing Corsets

In This Guide:

  • My Corset Experience
  • Questions to Consider

My Corset Experience

You don’t have to start routinely crushing your organs before puberty to enjoy wearing a corset. Even a gentle squeeze with make your outfit look cooler, whether you wear it under your clothing or over for a more dramatic effect.

I began my corset journey with a waist cincher from Dark Garden in San Francisco. A waist cincher fits from just under the bust to just past the hipbones. I liked the fact that it didn’t cover my boobs – that meant I didn’t have to take their constantly-changing size into account. I also felt it was more versatile. If I wanted to corset train, it would be easier to sneak under my clothes at work, and it wasn’t as dramatic of a look to wear out for an evening.

Due to to the style and fabric, the cincher set me back a whopping $350, and they threw in a back panel for free. The back panel is optional to cover the area behind the lacing. It’s not as necessary if you’re wearing it over clothing, but if you’re wearing the corset only and want to cover up your back cleavage (where the fatty skin meets in the back) you might want the option.

Although I love the cache of owning a handmade cincher from one of the foremost corset shops in the country, I think there are cheaper options that work just as well. It probably would have been better to get two or three corsets for the price I paid, but c’est la vie.

I ended up buying a dress with a built-in corset at one point. It was less than half the price of my cincher – “only” $135. While I enjoy having an entire outfit at once, it’s a little less useful than the cincher. So far I’ve been able to play a pirate and a pioneer, but it’s hard to imagine going out to dinner in it.

Here are some things to take into consideration when investing in a corset:

Do you plan to wear it over or under your clothes?

If you’re going to corset train under your clothes for a few hours a day every day, you might want at least two: one that uses inexpensive, washable fabrics like cotton, and a fancier one for going out. However, if you’re like me and only wear it over your clothes once every couple months, you will likely want a flashier corset.

How much do you plan to reduce your waist?

The corset itself will add a little bit to your waist, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to squeeze into a particular vintage dress. If you don’t lace it tightly, it might retain your waist’s usual circumference while adding a bit to the hips, giving you a more dramatic hourglass. It’s subtle, but pretty cool. I prefer to tighten mine so I lose a few inches. Dark Garden recommends “a waist reduction of 3-5 inches, depending on your natural waist size and how far your lower ribs are from your hip bones”.

I tighten my corset in stages to give my organs time to move around and get used to it. Also, if you’re going out for the evening, it gives your dinner more time to digest.

Questions to Consider

How many looks do you want?

While I can wear my black waist cincher with almost every outfit, I sometimes wish I had a few more options. When my outfit is mostly black, you can’t tell there’s a separate piece on top, and… I wouldn’t mind showing it off. After all, it took me 15 minutes to get into!

How much do you want to spend?

It’s worth investing over $50 for each corset. Trust me, it’s going to look cooler and make getting dressed up easier. Like starting every meal with sautéed onions and garlic, my corset is the basis for nearly all my costumes.

Cheap corsets fall apart quickly, meaning they can only be worn a couple times before they are relegated to your zombie hooker costume. They are also unlikely to actually do their job because their boning (structural support) will be flimsy and not hold you in the right places.

How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner Like a Pro

So you want to look like a cat, or a deer, or a retro babe? Liquid eyeliner is the key. However, it’s also an acquired talent. Fear not! It’s easy to put on with patience and practice.

I really love Sylvia’s video below. Yes, it’s 8 minutes long, but it’s jam-packed with information, including different material applications, how to apply on hooded and mature eyes, and how to fix the inevitable mistakes.

Top 5 Costume Makeup Must-Haves

5. Fixing Spray

While I don’t recommend spraying a layer of sticky goo on your face every night (unless you’re a porn star), if you spend an hour getting your makeup just right, you want it to stay that way. This is especially true if you’re changing the color of your skin with compact make-up (see #4). Some people use hairspray, but I happened to pick up Dermacolor Fixing Spray from Kryolan the same time I bought my compact make-up. I have covered my face, chest, and hands with makeup and then sprayed it with fixing spray and it’s actually stayed on all night.

4. Glycerin-Based Compact Make-Up

This compact makeup is super easy to put on – just spray the compact with water and use a sponge to apply. It’s not slimy and smeary like the oil-based makeup you get in cheesy Halloween kits; it actually dries to the touch. Plus you can put it all over your body. I have turned myself red to be a demonic secretary and metallic silver to look like I’m from the future. At the end of the night, it washes off with soap and water, so you don’t need to smear yourself with cold cream.

Possibilities are endless and a single compact lasts forever. I like to get a couple similar or contrasting shades so I can create depth and special effects.

3. Fake Eyelashes

Yes, they suck to put on. But if you do it often enough, you’ll get really good at it! Then you’ll find yourself investing in subtle pairs for everyday use and even crazier ones for wild costumes. For more coaching and calming down, check out my Guide to Buying and Wearing Fake Eyelashes.

2. Liquid Eyeliner

Talk about all-night drama! Properly-applied liquid eyeliner will make your eyes pop in every photo. It also provides a nice base for your fake eyelashes, and, in my experience, will make them easier to remove and clean at the end of the night. Start by putting on a very thin layer as connecting dashes close to the base of your lashes. You can always thicken the line afterward, and it gives you practice getting a fine line for those cat-eye points. Check out all the different videos on the How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner Like a Pro page.

Note: if you don’t have black lipstick, you can use black liquid eyeliner. Be sure to spray it with Fixing Spray (see #1) after it dries so it doesn’t flake when you eat and drink. And be sure to bring it with you for the inevitable touch ups!

1. Red Lipstick

I believe every woman should have various shades of red lipstick, from bright to sultry, whether she’s in costume or just wants to feel special running errands. I started wearing lipstick at the age of 15 to distract everyone from my back brace. I got a lot of free stuff!!! I’m hoping it wasn’t out of pity…

If you don’t have to worry about your lip color coming off, I recommend applying lip liner over your entire lip and then applying lipstick in a matching shade. If you plan to find a make out buddy and don’t want both of you to end up looking like Bozo the Clown, I recommend a lip stain.

Guide to Buying and Wearing Fake Eyelashes

Fake eyelashes are the ultimate patience test. More than being stuck in traffic or meeting your ex’s new girlfriend, trying to get the second eye to look like the first one can bring out your murderous tendencies. Fortunately they’re only directed at your fake eyelashes (and unsuspecting roommates who just want to use the bathroom).

Here are 5 tips to ensure you don’t kill people who contribute to your rent:

5. Buy the right pair of fake eyelashes.

This step took the longest to learn. “These are super cute for my robot costume!” I would squeal as I bought a pair of metallic plastic lashes. Then I would tell them how much I hate them as I struggled to put them on for 20 minutes. The trick to picking fake eyelashes is to choose ones that have a very flexible band. This will prevent them from fighting to peel off your eyelids all night.

Side note: Choose the right glue, as well. The stuff in the tube. I use Duo. Don’t trust anything with a brush applicator.

4. Put on your makeup before your lashes. That includes mascara.

It’s nearly impossible to get your eyeliner on evenly and symmetrically after you’ve put on fake lashes. Plus, if you have to pull them off to reposition them (repeatedly), you’re peeling off makeup, not skin. I tend to apply liquid eyeliner first and use black-tinted eyelash glue to blend in the band.

3. Cut the eyelash bands to fit the width of your eyes.

I don’t have the biggest eyes, so most eyelash bands are too long for me. I used to think “the more eyelashes, the better”, but having lashes near your tear ducts is not only irritating (when you accidentally cover them in glue), but it can make your eyes look narrower or even slightly crossed. Bonus: Shorter eyelash bands are also easier to put on.

2. Cut the eyelashes into sections, if necessary.

I prefer to avoid cutting the band into sections because it can create gaps and asymmetry in the lash line, but it makes them a lot easier to put on. Sometimes you only need a half band at the outside of your eye. It’s also fun to stick on a narrow strip of another, more colorful pair at the outer edge of your eye on top of a black set.

1. Give yourself plenty of time.

Putting on fake eyelashes should never be the last thing you plan to do before you leave. Save that for filling a flask. If you’re just learning how to apply the lashes, give yourself a good 15 minutes to put them on in an environment where no one will interrupt you. Put on some soothing music and remind yourself how good you are at so many other things. With practice you’ll be able to get them both on in the right place the first time!

I love this tutorial because it’s super fast (and includes a lot of the tips I mentioned). I started it at :33 to skip the intro:

Guide to Buying and Wearing Petticoats

Petticoats are pretty much the most fun clothing item ever: they’re fairly cheap, easy to put on, and they totally change an outfit. The kind of petticoat you need depends on a few factors:

What are you wearing over the petticoat (if anything)?

If you’re not planning to put a skirt over it, don’t hesitate to get a pretty, colorful one. For additional color and fullness you can also wear one petticoat on top of another one. Did I just blow your mind?

Do you want the petticoat seen?

In certain eras, it would be a breach of etiquette for your undergarment to be show. Fortunately we live in an era where we can show as much ankle as we want, but it’s sometimes fun to look like you’re floating a couple inches off the ground because no one can see what’s keeping your long skirt is so full. It can look really cute to wear a skirt that ends an inch before your petticoat so you can see the colorful ruffles underneath.

What era are you recreating (if any)?

I’ve seen some really short petticoats, which won’t work for any era before the 80s. I recommend a long petticoat for anything before 1910. The 50s fashions usually had knee-length petticoats.

5 Wigs Every Woman Should Own

In this post:

  • Wig Advice
  • Top 5 Wigs

Wigs are one of my favorite costume items because they make you look and feel like a totally different person. Let me dish out some hard-earned knowledge that will help with later recommendations.

Wear a wig cap.

A wig cap will keep your natural hair from showing and give your wig more to hold onto so it doesn’t slide around all night. Beware the post-cap hairdo – it tends to be pretty flat. Plan on styling a slick ponytail to seduce your after-party companion.

Own different lengths and colors.

I would never want to lop my locks into a pageboy haircut, but I love the way my short wig makes me feel! I also have a wig with hair trailing down to my waist for a feminine look. Wigs give you the ability to try out hairstyles that are unrealistic for your every day lifestyle, so get a bunch and have fun with them.

Add styles and objects to your wig.

If you are trying to mask the fact you’re wearing a wig, style it or add a headband. Personalize and accessorize your wig with pins, clips, and small animals (I recommend fake ones). Marie Antoinette once wore a model ship in her wig.

Make your own wig at least once.

Did you know you can make your own wig out of just about anything? I’ve seen yarn wigs, metallic wigs, and even wigs made out of foam. All you need is supplies, a head form, a weaving cap, and an afternoon.

Buy decent wigs.

The most I’ve ever spent on a wig was $60. In fact, every single one of my wigs was $60, with the exception of one. I only spent $15 on that wig and it turned out to be a piece of crap, which is why I now invest $60 in each wig. Nicer wigs won’t tangle as easily and, in the dark, they can pass for real hair.

And now for my top 5 favorite wigs:

Pageboy

It is my opinion that Uma Thurman’s haircut in Pulp Fiction was one of the best things about the movie. That’s why this was my first wig style. Since then I’ve worn it for numerous parties and even a skit where I played a vampire.

Mermaid

There’s something undeniably feminine about having waist-length hair. It’s too much of a pain in the ass for most people to deal with every day, but a few times a year it’s fun to sport long locks.

Marie Antoinette

Amaze your friends and avoid doorways with a Marge Simpson sized beehive. For added fun, stash things in it to give away to people who compliment your wig.

Goth

It’s so classic to have black hair with bangs. That’s what makes this wig one of the most versatile in my collection. Rock this look for your vampire or Betty Paige costume.

Red Queen

The most fun I’ve ever had in costume has been in this wig. It’s totally outrageous and people love to interact with you because of it. Throw on a British accent and a crown for the full effect.