Whether you are in or out of costume, be sure to take care of your beauty needs this Halloween. With theater makeup being worn, hair color spray on your locks, latex special effect bits on your face, and all that walking you are going to do trick or treating, you most definitely want to make sure to look and feel your best.
Candy tip: Enjoy your favorite candy treats while minimizing the effects on your skin. Sugar can aggravate acne, so here are some candy indulging tips: Eat dark chocolate peanut M&M’s instead of Jelly Beans because you get a little protein in the nuts. Choose Snickers over Milky Way for the same reason. Dark chocolate is less harmful than milk chocolate, since it is higher in sugar and contains dairy, & has been linked to acne. Hope this helps on your candy selecting!
Protect your skin: If you will be using a product you’ve never tried before, think ahead. Check to make sure that you aren’t sensitive to its pigments, fragrance, or adhesive by applying a small amount of the product to the back of your hand, the wrist, or the inside bend of your elbow. If you aren’t itching or breaking out after a few hours have passed, it’s probably okay. If you do experience a problem, wash the product off immediately and find something else that will give you the look you want. If you will be using a latex product to produce special effects (scars, wounds, etc.), it is particularly important to test for sensitivity. Theatrical-quality liquid latex is FDA-approved for use on the skin, but be cautious about other liquid latex products—if the label doesn’t say it’s skin-safe, it isn’t. As always, use a mild cleanser to remove dirt and oil from the face before applying makeup. If you are using latex or a Halloween makeup kit, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a heavy moisturizer as a protective barrier between your skin and the product. Glitter on your face part of your costume? Do not apply it anywhere near the eyes—no matter what kind of adhesive you use, some of that glitter is going to fall off.
Blemishes/Oily Skin: Whether you opt for heavy, oil-based face paint layered over your complexion, a pore-clogging rubber costume mask or the surge in sugary treats in your diet, there are many possible triggers for an acne outbreak during the Halloween season. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it’s a good idea to skip the oily face makeup altogether. But, if you do decide to use it, be sure that you don’t leave it on for too long and definitely don’t go to sleep before you thoroughly cleanse your skin of every last trace. And while Halloween is the season to indulge in a few extra sugary sweets, don’t go too overboard. To ensure that your skin and hair are getting the nutrition they need, balance the candy with a few extra fruits and veggies. To achieve that ghostly pale face without the heavy costume makeup, look for the fairest shade of a water-based foundation that you can find.
Halloween Makeup Image Courtesy of Vanessa Sanchez.
(To get this look, check out her video at the end of the beauty tips!)
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/makeupby_vanessa
Learn more about her services at: www.makeupbyvanessasanchez.com
Hair Damage: Spray-on hair dyes are temporary and should wash out after a few shampoos, without leaving behind lasting damage to your locks. But when you pair chemical color with extra heat styling and heavy-duty products to hold your hair in place all night, your tresses may suffer some damage. Protect the luster of your locks by using a thermal protector when you style with heat. If you have fine hair or locks that are sensitive to chemical colors, skip the dyes and instead wear a wig or clip-in extensions. Add an Intense Repair Mask to your hair care routine after Halloween is over. This nourishing hair mask restores moisture, shine and hair strength by infusing powerful antioxidants and nutrients to each strand from root to tip.
Blisters: It’s necessary to compromise when it comes to picking the perfect shoes for your Halloween costume. From sky-high platform heels that you borrowed from a friend or lace-up black boots that are just a teeny bit to small, you may find yourself with sore, aching feet and bulging blisters before the night is over. Prevent blisters before they form by layering your feet with petroleum jelly, baby powder or Band-Aids to reduce the friction that causes blisters to form in the first place. And, consider slipping a pair of flip-flops or flats in your purse, just in case your Halloween shoes have you hobbling in pain.
Allergic reactions: From glitter and face paint to rubber masks and expired cosmetics, Halloween can expose your skin to lots of triggers for irritation, causing rashes, inflammation, itching and more. While those with sensitive skin are especially susceptible to irritations, everyone should be on alert with Halloween cosmetics. When it’s time to paint your face for Halloween, it’s tempting to dig out the old neon eye shadows, outdated red lip colors and last year’s face paint from the bottom of your bathroom drawer. Before you start applying them, check expiration dates. If a package doesn’t have an expiration date, examine it for questionable odors and unusual consistencies, which may signal contamination. Toss aside any products that have gone bad; using them can trigger a reaction. *Always perform a patch test to determine if a product is safe for your skin. To do this, simply apply a bit of product to a hidden patch of skin – like behind your ear or along the inside of your arm – and allow it to dry. Examine the area for any signs of irritation, including redness, bumps or itchiness.
Irritated Peepers: Many Halloween costumes call for eye makeup that’s heavier than usual. Glitter, glow-in-the-dark paint and false lashes can leave your eyes irritated, itchy and uncomfortable. Prevent eye irritation with a few easy tips. Eye-saving solutions: Avoid applying costume makeup – including glitter and glow-in-the-dark paint – near the eyes, and always use products that are meant for the face. The glitter in your craft supplies probably contains harsh metallic materials that could damage the eyes. Also, use lots of caution when applying false lashes – especially if it’s not a normal part of your routine. Using too much glue can cause your real lashes to fall out when you remove the false ones. Remove them very gently, or better yet, skip them altogether. With all of the great mascaras on the market, you can create a dramatic eye without the potential pain and suffering.
Removing makeup: Your latex special effects can be peeled off. Gentle washing with soap and water should take care of any remaining latex, but do not use oily makeup removers. Heavier-than-usual regular makeup may require several applications of baby oil, cold cream, or the makeup removal product you typically use. Use a cotton ball to cleanse the delicate skin around the eyes. Rinse, repeat, but DON’T SCRUB, especially if your skin is sensitive! Rubbing can cause more irritation than the makeup. Many Halloween makeup kits sold at this time of year include a small supply of cold cream, because that’s what generally works on these products. If the makeup is oily, baby oil will remove it—oil adheres to oil. Again, don’t scrub! Most glitter will wash off in the shower (again, protect your eyes!). Any stubborn pieces can be peeled off with scotch tape. A thin application of shaving cream will remove fake blood.
Happy Halloween!
