With Halloween around the corner, what better time is there to practice some new makeup and visual effects techniques? Give this blog post a quick read for some tried and true tips on making your Halloween costume truly spooktacular.

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1. Be honest with what you can accomplish with your skillset and time limitations.

‍While some Halloween die-hards begin working on their next costume on November 1, most start putting serious thought into a costume a month or two before Halloween. Before you begin building out a complex costume, take an inventory of how much time you have to complete your project, what your budget is, and how much you can do yourself versus outsourcing to a third party. Always err on the side of caution and estimate more time and money than is needed, especially when you’re just getting started on hand-made costumes.

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2. For budget-friendly Halloween costumes, check out thrift stores or modify an existing piece of clothing to match your theme.

‍Since Halloween costumes are usually a one-time-only affair, you can save money by heading to your local thrift shop to pick up some of the core items you need for your costume. From there you can rip, cut, modify and embroider clothing without the guilt of knowing you paid full price for it. For custom pieces that require a bit more attention to detail, you can check out Etsy shops to support independent artists and get that buckle, leatherwork, or lace gloves that you need.

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3. If your Halloween costume includes a big or heavy look for makeup, practice before the big event!

‍There’s nothing worse than racing the clock to complete your Halloween makeup only to mess something up and having to start all over. Be sure to practice applying your Halloween makeup early -- especially if it involves a lot of layering and detail. Additionally, you can see if certain appliques are irritating or will need some freshening up after a couple of hours of wear. This will give you the chance to play around, make mistakes, and create the look you and your fellow trick-or-treaters will love.

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4. Be selective about the contact lenses you choose to compliment your costume.

‍Contact lenses are one of the simplest ways to add a lot of oomph to your costume. However, all contact lenses aren’t created equal. Do your due diligence and ask around when you purchase costume contact lenses -- especially online. You certainly don’t want a fun night to turn into a trip to the hospital for an eye infection. If on Halloween night your contact lenses start to irritate your eyes or cause pain or discomfort, take them out! No costume is worth compromising your vision.

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5. Experiment and have fun!

‍The most important tip is to have fun with your Halloween costume! Don’t be afraid to experiment, try out new things, or remix two ideas into a brand new design.

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We’d love to see some photos of your completed Halloween costume or planning process.