Vaishnavi Prasad has just about recovered from the Bigg Boss fever and she’s already planning her do for this year. The two most common costumes which are a go-to for her are based on death, gore and blood or recreating pop culture character. She says, “I’m always prepared in advance to rock a scary outfit and invariably, I dress up as a zombie or my costume has some influences of death.”

 

The former is the easiest look to put together, especially for those who decide to attend a Halloween party in the last minute. “All you need are old clothes that are shredded (cut and fray after putting the dress on) and black, brown, red, grey and white makeup or colours. Take plastic spoons or a knife, break a bit and glue it onto your collarbone — add some makeup around it so it looks like bone is exposed. Finally, whiten your face till it looks pale,” she shares.

Prakruthi Ananth, a popular makeup artist in the city has created a similar look, she says. “You can buy a product called scar wax to either fake an injury or like I did, use it to glue a broken pencil to your face to make it seem like it’s coming out of your cheek.”

 

Halloween makeup is after all an extension of your creativity but gives you the license to go bold. However, Vaishnavi and she warn against using unknown or harmful products on the skin and hair. “Depending on how long you’re planning to be in character for, either use heavy makeup or keep some so you can touch up from time to time. Ideally, use reliable brands Snazaroo or Kryolan instead of acrylic paints,” they say.

Lisa Simpson, Khal Drogo, the clown from It, Venom, the band members of Kiss, K-drama or anime characters and skulls inspired by pop culture icons or Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) are some of the characters and events that could be of inspiration for a great Halloween costume. “If you don’t have a costume, use makeup to create a smudged out smoky eyes for a ghostly look or do a stitched lips effect using thread cut up into pieces and eyelash glue,” says Prakruthi.

1 cup corn syrup

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

8 drops red food colouring 

Water, as required

Combine corn syrup and chocolate syrup. Add a little water depending on how thick you want the blood to be. Stir in red food colouring until you get a desired colour.