Seems like for kids it’s more about events these days. Least around these parts. Only one kid’s knocked on my door in the last 5 years. They’re all at these ‘spooktackular’ ‘boo bashes’. I envisioned finger quotes there for no good reason at all, except that I’ll be home.

Looking though my Halloween makeup tips from a previous year, I’m pretty impressed. Not sure I have a lot to add to that except that spirit gum is the best sticky substance choice for your prosthetics and gauzes and the like. You’ll find it at all the costume places.

If you’re panicked to get something together last minute, these Halloween looks for the office may help you out. And of course, you have to add Charlie Sheen to the list. Take it a step up by crusting a little baking soda around a nostril.

For those more industrious revelers, check out my personal favorite- really gross Halloween costume ideas. This year’s addition? I’m thinking the litter box. Such a great DIY opportunity, I don’t want to squelch any creativity and provide suggestions, except that a (stuffed) cat stuck on somewhere would be a great touch.

If you’re hosting this year, please use this baby doll dip bowl idea. It’s kind of special.

Happy Halloween 2011!

Not easy, but AWESOME

-An old drag costume trick is to use gluestick to cover textured areas like eyebrows. Allow to dry and put makeup over top.

-Always drizzle fake blood and allow to dry. Painting it on or attempting to smear it won’t look natural.

-If you need copious amounts of fake blood not sold at the costume shop, like for a Carrie costume, combine corn syrup and red food coloring. Combine a little a this and a little of that until you get the right color.

-Fake eyelash glue is a good, safe adhesive for anything not too heavy such as hair or bits or gore. Let it dry for a few seconds before trying to adhere it. I like Duo.

-If your costume makeup is of a human character, look for details like eye brow shape, moles, and lip shape. For example, throwing on the Kate Gosselin wig is nothing without giving her the inner-eyebrow arch.

-This may seem obvious, but powder products are to be used AFTER cream or liquid products.

-Mixing water-soluble and grease paint type makeup just won’t do. Stick to one or the other.

-For scary makeup, focus on texture. Use a paint brush, stipple sponge, tissue, or anything around the house on your makeup to give it a yucky quality.

-Think about getting your costume on before you start. You’ll be sad if you get your makeup just right only to realize you have to somehow get a turtle-neck over it.

-Alcohol based makeup will stand up best against sweat or weather elements.