By Whether you’re going for ghoulish glam or downright gory, there’s no denying the fact that Halloween makeup is always a little extra. It’s often applied with a heavier hand than your usual fare. Not to mention some of the formulas are formulated differently.
To ensure you prep your skin well beforehand, nail the look and give your skin the TLC it needs post-Halloween, we asked makeup and skin care pros for their best tips and tricks.
Image via Dr. Jart+
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator, $16.99″,”Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator, $16.99
“It’s important to properly clean and exfoliate the skin prior to makeup application. This will allow the skin to be cleaned of any dirt, oil and dead skin cells,” says Deisy Suarez, esthetician and founder of Desuar Spa in Los Angeles. “Also, sloughing off that rough, uneven skin texture will leave the skin smooth and clean that will allow a much easier makeup application.”
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SEE NEXT PAGE: BOMEIJIA Filbert Paint Brush Set, $7.84″,”BOMEIJIA Filbert Paint Brush Set, $7.84
You probably already have some makeup brushes, but if you’re doing a serious look for Halloween it’s a good idea to buy some quality synthetic brushes. “This is important so you don’t ruin your beautiful makeup brushes, but so you also have a variety of sizes and shapes that will allow you to cover larger areas or details,” explains Emily H. Rudman, makeup artist and founder of Emilie Heathe.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects Blurring Primer, $35″,”Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects Blurring Primer, $35
A makeup primer helps your Halloween makeup last longer and promotes smoother, better-looking application. Also, and this is key, it creates a nice barrier between your skin and that heavy makeup.
“Most of the time we don’t use primer and many people even wonder why they need it and what it’s actually going to do for them. I always give the example of you wouldn’t just paint your wall, you would spackle and prime it first so the paint is evenly applied. The same goes for makeup,” says Jessica Richards, founder of Shen Beauty. “Prior to applying the foundational makeup, be it white for a ghost, black for a witch or whatever else you had in mind, you must use a primer.”
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Even the pros insist on one or two runs before the real deal. Practicing gives you a chance to see what you can do better so that your look is eerily flawless.
“Watch tons of tutorials and practice, practice, practice to make sure you can achieve the look. Some looks seem so much simpler than they are or take much more time than you think,” Rudman points out. “A lot of Halloween makeup, especially the kind you get at a costume store, can be pore-clogging and heavy. Even if you go the route of the more professional products, you still want to test it out. It would not be so fun to have an allergic reaction after you’ve perfectly painted your face.”
SEE NEXT PAGE: Kryolan Ultra Setting Spray Final Seal, $28″,”Kryolan Ultra Setting Spray Final Seal, $28 “You should definitely use a makeup setting spray to set your look,” says Rudman. “Keep in mind that a lot of the fixing sprays are created to make the makeup settle into the skin and look great, but really don’t have a fixing ingredient to make it last. Use something like Kryolan fixing spray to really set your creation.”
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Even if you end up partying into the wee hours of the night, washing your face is a must. The pros we spoke to agree that a double cleanse, starting with an oil-based cleanser or balm, is your best bet. “You are going to want something that can really remove and break down the makeup, especially if it’s oil-based,” explains Rudman.
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover, $9.99″,”Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover, $9.99
Lingering makeup? It’s possible, especially if your look required a heavy hand. After double cleansing, go back in with a micellar product to get any last traces off your face.
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“We don’t want to congest our pores and Halloween makeup is indeed heavy and oily. Adding a pore cleansing clay mask will help draw out any impurities and oil that might have found their way into the skin,” says Suarez. “A clay mask has absorbent, exfoliating and astringent properties. You can follow with a hydrating toner after masking and finish by treating the skin with a hydrating moisturizer. Your skin will be nice and clean as if no heavy makeup ever happened.”
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SEE NEXT PAGE: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, $48″,”Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, $48
In the day or two following your makeup application, stick to super gentle, hydrating ingredients and products.
“Skip anything extreme just in case there’s any remnants of the chemicals in the makeup you used that could react with intense active ingredients,” advises celebrity electrical esthetician Melanie Simon. “For instance, avoid products concentrated with retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs or antibiotic topicals.”
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