Blood, gore and hairy warts; a DIY Halloween makeup guide.

It looks like we’ve got a little Halloween fever here at Wise Bread. Following on from Andrea’s great story on homemade costumes, I thought I’d add some flavor with homemade Halloween makeup effects. Get ready to learn the secrets of peeling skin, oozing blood, big bad bruises, open sores and creepy cuts.

As we all know, Halloween is big business. I heard that we’ll be spending $5.4 billion on the holiday this year. In retail sales, it is second only to Christmas. And when you see the prices charged for some of the most simple items, well, it’s easy to see where the money comes from.

I first had to make my own blood for a photoshoot a few years ago, and since then I’ve never looked back. So here are a few simple recipes, tips and tricks that I’ve been collecting. I hope they can help you turn Halloween into something both frightening and frugal. (Oh, and be careful of a real menace out there this year - Sherwood brand Pirates Gold Milk Chocolate coins recall. They are dangerous, check out your kids’ candy collection before they tuck in. Here’s a Snopes link with all of the info.) Have a safe and scary Halloween.

The Joker’s White Face

Heath Ledger’s stunning Joker will be roaming the streets everywhere this Halloween. If you’d like to make your own white base, here’s how to do it.

2 tsp white shortening
5 tsp corn starch
1 tsp white all purpose flour
3-4 drops glycerin

Mix together the shortening, corn starch and flour. For easier application, add 3 to 4 drops of glycerin. Lipstick and black eye shadow completes the eerie look.

Fake blood

You can go simple or more complex, depending on how realistic you want it. To be honest, the simple method has always worked well for me, but you decide. Fake blood can stain, so be aware of this before you throw it all over a rental costume or your wedding dress.

Simple blood

16oz corn syrup
Red food coloring (as desired)
Milk (optional)
Blue food coloring (optional)

Just mix them together. The more red food coloring, the better. If you want, a tiny touch of blue can give it a darker, more sinister look, but be careful…too much and you’re bleeding purple alien blood. You can also add a small drop of milk instead of the blue food coloring, which will make it thicker and darker.

Realistic blood

2/3 c. Corn Syrup
1/3 c. Warm Water
5 Tbsp Corn Starch
4-6 tsp red food coloring
1 Tbsp Powdered Cocoa
2 drops of green or yellow food coloring (optional)

Mix the corn starch and water in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the corn syrup and cocoa. Add the food coloring slowly, checking for color.

Thick and goopy Blood

Plain Flour
Water
Red Food Coloring
1 tsp. of instant Coffee

Boil the water on the stove, then sieve in the flour (as much as you want depending on how thick you like your blood), making sure you get all of the lumps out. Once you have the flour mixed into the water it should look thick and runny. Next, add the red food coloring. At this point, it will be very red, but adding the coffee brings it back to a great bloody color. Make sure it’s hot when you add the coffee. Now, let it cool and apply liberally.

Bruises

Eye shadows: Deep blue; Smoky gray; Blue; Shiny olive green.
Complexion powder.

Want to look beaten? Use this simple, classic bruise effect. And yes guys, this works for you too. Don’t be afraid of a little eye shadow. Start with a blot of deep blue eye shadow, applied with a wet brush. Use your fingertips to add daubs of smoky gray and blue shadows. Next, finish the edges with shiny olive green. Smudge the bruise and dust with an amber frost (try gold for jaundiced highlights). Finally, blend it all in with a small brush and dust lightly using a regular complexion powder.

Big hairy warts

Whole peppercorns white or black
Corn syrup or eyelash glue
Hair bristles from a paintbrush or out of your hair brush
(Optional) Non-toxic watercolors (the kind you use in grade school)

Glue peppercorns to your hands or face using the corn syrup or eyelash glue. You may have to hold them in place until the glue or syrup is dry. And REMEMBER TO KEEP PEPPERCORNS AWAY FROM YOUR EYES! Ouch. Dip one end of the hairs in the glue or syrup and attach to the peppercorn, giving them that hairy look. Finally, use paints to color them creepy, like green for witches.

Finally, the more beautiful side of Halloween

Now everyone wants to dress up as something horrific from an open grave or sweaty nightmare. So, the makeup experts from M.A.C. cosmetics have put together some looks that are truly stunning. From a robot, to an amphibian, or even a floral face, there’s plenty of inspiration here. There are 10 different looks to play with.