Every day is Halloween at my daughter’s BFF’s house. At least that’s what her mom says when she sees her 6-year-old come out of her bedroom with a mountain of make-up on her face. I’ve seen the mini Tammy Faye Bakker in person and will attest that she definitely is no slouch when it comes to face painting.
With Halloween right around the corner, kids and grown-ups alike are sharpening their make-up application skills in order to transform the plainest Jane into the belle of the ball or a hideous horror queen. Fake blood, purple and green bruises, and deep black scars are not as easy to create as one might think. However, having the right make-up and tools can go a long way to making all your child’s spooky costume dreams come true.
For starters, it’s a good idea to do some research on Halloween make-up before caking it on your kid’s face. The most common types of make-up are cream, oil-based (a.k.a. greasepaint) and water-based. You should choose appropriately given your child’s skin type. If your child has extra-sensitive skin, then stick with alcohol-free products and avoid make-up made with a ton of foreign chemicals. If your child is prone to acne breakouts, then you are better off using water-based Halloween make-up.
While some Halloween face goop can be quite expensive, resist the urge to make your own. Some ingredients may seem benign, but when you apply them on your child’s face, especially near his eyes and mouth, you might be met with a reaction that is scarier than a showdown between Dracula and the Dragon Slayer. Also, don’t try to save money by using markers, paint, glue and glitter on human skin. The creepy rash you’ll get designing your own make-up will be a frightening experience you’ll never forget.
Finally, even if you plan to purchase traditional Halloween make-up, it’s a good idea to read the labels before application. Make sure the products are “non-toxic” and made in the United States. Halloween make-up made in the USA is subject to stricter regulations. Look for labels that read: “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested” or “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics.”
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