Happy Halloween!!

Happy All Hallows Eve Everyone!

I'm so excited, as always, for Halloween. But the fact that it falls on a Friday this year makes it a special thrill! Every year I determine to come up with a great costume, and every year due to work and scheduling and production, I end up throwing something together at the last minute. In light of that fun fact and for those of you who find themselves in similar dilemnas, here's a look back at the last 5 years of costumes and how you can raid your closet and makeup drawer to look fabulous in 30 minutes or less!

2008, (the year we all went "Mad" for Madman"). I went as a "mod". Here I want to give a thank-you shout out to the amazing Jenny Han of Jenny Han designs, who had given me this fantastic, 60's style dress, (which I still have). Not surprisingly, I shot her later campaign based on "Valley of the Dolls". To nail a "Mod", grab a dress that's mini in length, add lashes and take the time to paint on the bottom ones, "Twiggy Style. Add volume to your hair. Keep lips and cheeks pale and pink. The rule is go big on lashes, short on hems.

Pictured above: Noa in Jenny Han, Models in Jenny Han Spring Campaign, Makeup by Me.

The next year we were charged to thematically come as a favorite super-villain. Since I didn't really have an anti hero to root for I went as Harley Quin, and used a hat and face paint to nail a costume in 20 minutes. If you're dying on time, try anything you can paint on yourself. (Harlequins, clowns, etc). I nailed a Harlequin on a photo shoot and if you get the makeup right, you don't even need much by way of clothing. Simple black and white tones and garments will seal the deal. (See Below).

The following year I really got my act together, did some prep, and went as Miss Havisham, complete with spiders, webs, and veil, (plus crinoline). We were to come as favorite, literary figures. I know when Dickens wrote Great Expectations he was picturing the joyful reunion of Miss H and a Star Wars Storm Trooper in 70's suiting. 

Thank goodness I like vintage! When it came time for another last minute costume in 2011, I grabbed a 70's romper, threw on a bolero, bought a quick hat (once again, hats can really seal the deal), added a whip and went as a lion tamer. (Yes, I'm PETA so it was more of a nod to Monty Python).

(And of course in a pinch, there's always a wig). Another idea for an easy costume? Go as an Egyptian goddess or queen.  I shot this not long after The Mummy came out, inspired by Anaksunamon's character makeup. You can buy a cheapie, black drugstore wig and cut bangs into it. I added some beads for flair, and then grabbed a white sheet, cut a hole in the top and poked my model's head through while twisting the sheet into shoulder straps. You can nail the dress by belting it with anything gold. Mix gold shimmer into your foundation and blend it all over the body. Last but not least, go big, bold, and long on the liner, top and bottom. Boom! You're an ancient, baddass.

2012 really saw me in a pinch! I was shooting for two straight weeks, as well as on Halloween night itself. I had thirty minutes to throw something, (anything) together. Fortunately and once again, my love of holding on to vintage prevailed, and I went as Barbara Streisand circa Funny Girl. I just snagged the most retro items, (all 60's vintage) in my closet, added some deeply contoured shadows and lashes, and was out the door! (For a quick lesson on liner, sex pot eyes, and mod makeup, check out my tutorials here  and here)!

Tragically I'm pretty sure there was no costume last year as I ended up working last minute, but I did experience a "Haunted Hayride" at Griffith Park, as well as a "Ghost Train" ride. So all was not lost. This year, the theme is to arrive as "An adult version of your favorite childhood costume". Although I've been again thwarted by timing, I've got the basics ready to go. This time there's no escaping the costume!

Happy Halloween to you all!

With Love,

Noa B