Halloween Makeup Can Be Healthy, Clean, and Simple, Says Makeup Artist Nina Griffee

Steven Schwankert | Oct 29, 2015 5:00 pm | Add a comment | 2186 reads

It's the most wonderful time of the year, if you happen to be in the business of transforming people into zombies, monsters, or other not quite human things. We asked professional make-up artist and body painter Nina Griffee how to get the most out of Halloween with limited resources, talent, and/or time.

What's the biggest mistake non-professional people make when doing Halloween make-up?
Buying oil-based face paints or crayons. No no no! These are super hard to work with and stick to the skin for a long time after use. Buy water-based colors and a brush and work them like ordinary water activated paints. Do some research online for face paint designs and study them before attacking the paint! Start with the base and add details second.

Related: Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

For the procrastinators: It's 5pm on Halloween. I need something. What can I do easily and quickly?
Delve into your (or your wife/girlfriend's) makeup kit – most products can be used to paint something pretty awesome, and if in doubt head to the kitchen and whip up some homemade fake blood; corn syrup, red food coloring, and add a touch of cocoa powder to add a congealed effect. Douse over your whole outfit for something truly horrific.
 
Is there any way to not smear carefully-painted mask on my costume?
If you used water-based colors then they should have dried nicely – but if you could only find the oil-based colors then spray it with make-up fixer, either Ben Nye fixer spray or Urban Decay. Or just don’t move your face!
 
What do you recommend as safe brands of make-up?
Safe paints are Kryolan, Diamond FX, and Snazaroo.
 
For more inspiration or bookings, visit www.faceslaphk.com or find them on Facebook at Face Slap HK.
 
More stories by this author here.