costuming

Halloween is right around the corner! If you are doing the last minute scramble, don't fret. As long as you are willing to get creative, a great costume is at your fingertips.

First, consider what you already have. Most of my costumes in the last few years have been comprised of stuff I found in my apartment.

Example 1: I was a Greek Goddess three years running. (I move a lot: new place/new people...it's like it was a whole new costume.) I found a bed sheet in my room and paired it with a bit of leaf garland that was adorning my apartment.

Rad every time.

Example 2: Last year, I got a hand-me-down green organza skirt. I knew I wanted to wear it in some capacity for Halloween. So I brainstormed. I came up with a few ideas, but I ended up going with Mother Nature. I wore the green floor-length skirt and wrapped myself in some leaf garland (are you sensing a pattern here?). I topped off my look with green glamour eyes.

Not a flattering pic, but you get the idea.

Example 3: Lady Gaga. Love her.

Not my best work, but if you'll forgive me for that and my slouchy pose, I'll forgive you for not having a costume yet. Oh snap!

Next, think about what you can borrow and who you can borrow from. My costume this year is made up of clothes I'm borrowing from someone else. Was it a bit awkward asking a boy if I could wear his pants? Yes. But sooo worth it. Didn't cost me a cent, and it turns out he was more than willing to loan me his clothes.

Since I don't have a picture of this year's ensemble yet, here is another costume that I borrowed:

I know what you are thinking: Best. Costume. Ever. Borrowing is boss.

Third, take a look at thrift stores. Thrift stores tend to have awesome finds for cheap. Don't be afraid to venture into sections you normally wouldn't. A male friend of mine found a purple blazer in the women's section that perfectly completed his rocker outfit. I also found a great 80s-style dress at a thrift store for the low low price of $8. I might even wear it to one of the Halloween shindigs I attend this year. What an investment.

We. Are. Hot.

If you are still coming up empty, get punny. Clever costumes are memorable. In high school, I dressed as a cereal (serial) killer for the annual Boo Ball. I glued plastic knives to mini boxes of cereal, then attached the boxes to myself. A little corny, but it was definitely unique. I've also seen men dress up as "God's gift to women" more than a few times. Simply wrap yourself as a present labeled "To: Women   From: God." At least you'll get a chuckle.

My personal favorite:

If all else fails, I suppose you can go buy a costume. But where's the fun in that?

Penny Pingleton, I Love You!

Hokay, so Halloween. you know the classic musical turned movie "Hairspray!"? :D great one huh? well personally my favorite character is Penny Pingleton! shes fun, funny, quirky and cute. SO, she's ofcourse known most for her hair..

so how do you get her fabulous do? lemme tell ya.

i first started with straight hair parted down the middle, and your hair doesn't have to be perfectly flat ironed or anything, just smoothed out.



the next step can be done one of two ways. first remember to leave some of your bangs down to frame your face..but to create the beehive on top of your head you can either tease your hair using hairspray and a comb or use a BumpIt (i recommend a BumpIt because this is considerably less damaging to your hair) and after you've pulled your hair about half up into a bump, secure in back with a discreet rubber band.



now, easily pull the remainder of your hair into two high piggietails and get your curling iron/curlers or curling instrument of choice ready because you're almost done!



lastly curl your piggie tails in sections, i did two curls in each one..but feel free to do as many as you want! and also, if you want you can grab a small piece of hair from the bottom of the piggy tail to wrap around and bobby pin to hide the elastic you used to secure your hair.


and voila! your done!

Halloween How-To's: Glammed-Out Eyes

An eyeball! Creepy! It must be Halloween time...

I don't know about you, but I love halloween. I actually love all holidays. I just love a good excuse to get excited, really. At halloween-time I not only get to decorate (which is oh-so-fun), but I have the added bonus of dressing up! (insert little-girl squeal)

It probably reveals too much about me that I thoroughly enjoy covering my face in shimmery makeup one day a year, but boy-oh-boy do I enjoy it. Here's the great part: glammed-out makeup is something you can add to almost any costume. Since eye makeup is my favy-fav, I'm going to show you how to do my special glammed-out eyes.

You will need:
-shimmery eye shadow, neutral in color (I'll be using white)
-eye shadow, in the color(s) of your choice (I'll be using green)
-glitter, optional
-eye liner, liquid or felt-tip recommended
-mascara

***I apologize in advance for my poor photography skills. These pictures do NOT do this look justice. To get a better look, just click on any picture. Be careful, though, since you might not want to see a close-up of my face.***

You'll want to start with a face devoid of eye makeup. Foundation and concealer are okay.

I like to prep my eye area with white shimmer powder to start with. This makes it easier to blend colors. I also just like shimmer. I'm a go-big-or-go-home kind of a girl, so I apply shimmer all the way above my eyebrows (just a little above) and down until just above my cheekbones. You can include the bridge of your nose if you would like (I like), and then all the way out to the edge of your face.

On the outer edge of your eye, apply your color. Blend in toward the bridge of your nose, using the white shimmer powder to make a sort of gradient.

Last step: eye liner and mascara. You can even apply false lashes if that's your pleasure. Since it's halloween, you can be bold.

If you like, you can add glitter to this ensemble.

You can also try this with other colors. Or even multiple colors, like purple, white, and blue.

You can also keep it simple with just white shimmer and perhaps some glitter.

I have used this makeup style to accompany several costumes, including a Greek Goddess, Mother Nature, and a Fairy Princess (I know, I'm like 5). A friend of mine did something similar with yellow and gold to go with her Bumble Bee costume. The possibilities are endless!

Whatever you choose, have fun with it. Happy Halloweening!

Va Vooooom

today's tip n trick is super short and super easy. i just recently heard about it and started doing it, and i honestly think it makes a difference.
if you want fuller, faster growing, beautiful hair then all you need is 30 seconds a day.
flip your head upside down and massage your scalp for thirty seconds. it's that easy!