Halloween is creeping up, and while the holiday isn't so widely celebrated here in Aotearoa, it's still a great excuse to get creative and show off how hot you are on social media - even if you do take off your zombie cheerleader costume straight after hitting 'share'.
Of course, you could always choose to be yourself for Halloween, because to be fair, life is a bit of a nightmare. Ba-dum tiss.
For the amatuer artists and makeup mavericks among us, Halloween is a freakishly good opportunity to experiment and have fun with your face. The possibilities for frightfully delightful looks are literally endless and of course, Instagram and TikTok serve as stalwart sources of inspiration.
Some of us also may want to get into the spirit of things without the fake blood and face paint, in which case a little self-(s)care never goes amiss with some aptly-themed products.
To save you from undertaking a witch hunt for the ultimate blood red lipstick or SFX makeup, Newshub Lifestyle has rounded up 10 Halloween-appropriate products to really set the scene. After all, if there's one day to look drop dead gorgeous, it's October 31.
Lush Vampire Kisses Lip Scrub, RRP$13.90
Before painting your lips with lashings of red, it's so, so important to prep your puckers. Most of us will be familiar with that uncomfortable feeling after applying a matte product to chapped lips, which can cause the product to flake and crumble with your peeling skin. While that does sound like Halloween horror, dry lips do not a look make. But help is on the way. This year Lush is introducing their largest Halloween range yet, seeing the return of a few favourites but also several new additions - including the Vampire Kisses Lip Scrub. Made with sweet sugar crystals and a sour grape flavour, your lips will almost be good enough to eat.
Mac Cosmetics Chromacake, RRP$66
For those who want to go the extra mile, there's nothing quite like a bit of body paint to take a look from average to A+. A highly pigmented formula for body painting or creating fake tattoos, Mac's Chromacake is a versatile, multi-use product that comes in several Halloween-ready shades; Landscape Green, Pure White and Black Black. The solid colour cake is activated with water and provides an opaque matte finish that sheers down easily. This stuff is used by the pros, so you know it's going to be good.
Makeup Revolution Beetlejuice Beetle House Shadow Palette, RRP$18
Inspired by Tim Burton's horror-comedy classic, Makeup Revolution's Beetlejuice collection is not only very aesthetically pleasing, but very on-theme. The purple palette is designed to resemble the Beetlejuice House and features nine colours to create a range of smokey and sultry looks. The house is filled with both shimmery and matte shades, including monochromatic purples and a couple of coppery neutrals for day-to-day glam. The Beetlejuice Beetle House Shadow Palette can be purchased via the authorised New Zealand retailer Beauty Bliss.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick, RRP$37
Many of us would kill for the perfect blood red, and we may just have found one. Available in 35 stunning shades in cream, matte and shine finishes, Urban Decay's Vice Lipsticks - available via Mecca Maxima - give high-impact, long-lasting and super-pigmented colour in a single swipe. The creamy formula is enriched with aloe vera and avocado oil, making them incredibly moisturising on the lips. 'Bad Blood' is a vibrant blood red matte that works on all skin tones, while 'Manic' is a cream finish with more burgundy undertones. If you're thinking of dressing as a silver screen icon, the deep red 'Olivera' is an ideal throwback to old Hollywood glamour. Another good bet is Mac Cosmetics Love Me Liquid Lipcolour (RRP$49) in 'Adore Me', a mid-tone blue red.
OXX Cosmetics Halloween 24 Pack False Nails, RRP$6
Look, not all of us are MUAs in the making, and if you're lazy (like me) and want to give a subtle nod to the holiday, a fresh set of claws could be the magic touch. There are plenty of styles out there, but in ode to the occasion, you can't look past a classic coffin shape. OXX Cosmetics, Kmart's very affordable makeup line, offers a cute black-and-silver spider web design for just six buckaroos. Other styles include dripping blood, grinning pumpkins and a Frankenstein-inspired set. However, as a fake nail aficionado, I would advise skipping the from-the-box adhesive and spending a few extra dollars on a good nail glue (if you want your manicure to actually make it through Halloween). The Kiss PowerFlex Max Speed Nail Glue is my ride-or-die and you can pick it up cheaply from Farmers.
FLOSSé 'Wonderfully Wicked' Nail Wraps, RRP$10
If you want to support local this Halloween, the 100 percent New Zealand-owned-and-operated business FLOSSé has a freakishly good selection of Halloween-themed nail wraps on offer for the spooky season. Simply stick and file your way to a fresh manicure with a price tag that doesn't send you to an early grave. The wraps are non-toxic and made from real nail polish that is said to last at least seven days, and they are cruelty-free to boot. The 'Wonderfully Wicked' range has a host of sexy but scary options, but my personal favourites would be 'Psycho' (blood splatters); 'Muertos' (Day of the Dead-themed sugar skulls); and 'Spookers' (glow-in-the-dark skull print). Plus, Afterpay is also available.
Ardell Magnetic Megahold False Eyelashes, RRP$15
In my humble opinion, a bold eye isn't complete without a pair of fluttery, fabulous falsies; however, they can be a bit fiddly and if they haven't been applied correctly, won't always make it through the night. Thankfully, magnetic lashes are a thing and could be your secret weapon if you struggle to secure traditional lash bands in place. Enter Ardell's Magnetic Mega Hold - yes, you can add drama to your look without the drama of glue globbing on your eyelid. The flexible and trimmable lashes feature an undetectable magnetic band for maximum all-day hold, meaning they aren't going anywhere during that Halloween party. Unlike previous styles, the range uses a patented invisible band without the bulky magnets of previous offerings. Just apply an adhesive eyeliner - Ardell Magnetic Gel Liner or DUO Lash it Line it will do the trick - and attach.
Lush Halloween Body Products, from RRP$14.90
Forget about the TikTok tutorials, it's a Monday, you're tired, and you want to indulge in a little self-care (from here on out, I shall be referring to it as 'self-scare'). The Lush Halloween 2022 range is full of frightful but delightful self-scare goodies spanning shower gels, massage bars, bath bombs, face masks and other body-care goodness. If you're planning a Halloween-themed night in, perhaps the Sparkly Pumpkin Shower Slime (RRP$14.90) will get you in the mood - or have your legs turn to jelly with the Tarantula Shower Jelly (RRP$15.90), made with activated charcoal and rainbow glitter. For the ultimate pamper, perhaps the Toil and Trouble Body Scrub (RRP$29.90) will tickle your fancy, enriched with lavender, peppermint and salt - and a few shower jelly bats for good measure.
Makeup Revolution SFX Blood Spray, RRP$12
For the die-hard Halloween junkies, SFX (special effects) makeup is pretty much a must - and fake blood is a good place to start. Add a few splatters to a dramatic look and say you're a dead celebrity; after all, adding blood can make any outfit ghoulishly glam. There are plenty of options to choose from, and if you want to go cheap, you can pick up a Scarehouse Halloween Blood Tube from The Warehouse on sale for $1.20; Kmart's OXX Cosmetics also have fake blood for $4. Otherwise, the Makeup Revolution SFX Blood Spray is a good bet; it can be applied easily to your skin, clothing and surfaces to create a splattered effect. For the truly dedicated, BodyFX also has a range of products developed for a realistic appearance on stage and in film. The FX Stage Blood (RRP$15.50) is a viscous, lifelike, nearly opaque liquid that is non-toxic and edible, meaning it can be used in and around the mouth.
OXX Cosmetics Nose & Scar Wax, RRP$6
This affordable cosmetics wax from Kmart's line OXX is ideal for creating fake wounds, scars and even facial features if you're wanting a witchy nose or protruding chin. Simply use a tool to apply a layer of the wax before moulding with a sponge or your fingers to create your desired look; you can apply additional layers to build the 3D effect. Once again, BodyFX is a great option for more heavy-duty and long-wearing alternatives. You can also find the Mehron Modelling Putty on the likes of TradeMe and Beauty Bay; the wax is a staple among special effects artists to create three-dimensional character makeup.
