Last-Minute Halloween Makeup Tips

Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year. You’ll have fun dressing up in a costume or getting your little ghosts and goblins ready for a night of trick-or-treat. Before leaving the house on October 31, make sure all that makeup is set to stay in place no matter what. Take these last minute Halloween makeup ideas to help you and your little ones stay in character all night long:

Setting Oil-Based Makeup
Don’t give in to the temptation of using cheap, water-based makeup this Halloween. It doesn’t set well and will smear or melt when exposed to moisture such as rain, snow or sweat. Instead, use grease paint. Professional face paints are affordable and easy to find, and you can also pick up makeup like this at a hobby store year round. Once you have a good set of face paints, let your creativity run wild. Then take the time to set the makeup before you leave home.

To set oil-based makeup, you need an old sock, cornstarch and a spray bottle filled with water. Fill the sock with cornstarch, and play with it a bit to make sure the cornstarch will come through pores in the sock. Then spray the made-up face evenly with water. Use the sock to apply cornstarch to the face. Once the face is coated, spray again with water. Use a cotton swab to remove any clumps of excess cornstarch. Once the face is dry, that makeup won’t come off until it’s time to remove it using cold cream at the end of the evening.

Setting Traditional Eye Makeup
Traditional makeup or stage makeup can be more difficult to set. If your look for Halloween involves smoky eyes or other sexy makeup from the drugstore counter, start with a clean face as your canvas. Apply makeup. Then spray the face with hairspray to set it.

Halloween fun is always better with a great costume. Now that you know how to keep makeup looking fresh all night long, you're sure to have a great All Hallows Eve.