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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: