By KATHERINE LAVACCA

Editorial Director

Halloween is upon us and no one wants to be that person with the basic cat or bunny costume. After watching a few tutorials and channeling my inner American Horror Story, I found a couple easy looks that don’t require too many materials. If spooky isn’t really your thing, try imitating your favorite pop icon–as a throwback I decided to use David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust look. Remember, the artists in these tutorials have been experimenting with make-up for a while. So don’t get discouraged if yours doesn’t look exactly the same, have fun and experiment with different styles.

Before you start, I would suggest buying a set of brushes. The skull and jigsaw looks require some contouring, and it’s much easier to get good shading with brushes rather than sponges. Also, be sure to purchase some face primer if you don’t already own some; I used E.L.F. Hydrating Face Primer from Target and it worked well. The primer will prevent the makeup from totally soaking into your pores, which makes removal much easier

Skull

Products:

Sonia Kashuk Foundation Stick in Alabaster (Target)

Rubie’s Black Cream Makeup (Party City)

Little Black Beauty Book Cool Edition (Target)

Tip: Be sure to apply your base and contouring before applying the darker lines. If you have an eyeshadow palette with black, you don’t have to buy the Little Black Beauty Book from Target. I didn’t put much emphasis on covering the eyebrows, but if you want a more detailed look, check out the tutorial by Joseph Harwood.

Jigsaw

Products:

Sonia Kashuk Foundation Stick in Alabaster (Target)

E.L.F Lipstick in Red Carpet (Target)

Rubie’s Black Cream Makeup (Party City)

Little Black Beauty Book Cool Edition (Target)

Tip: Do the dark shading on the cheeks first and then apply the red swirls. This will make blending easier. Again, if you have an eyeshadow palette with black, you don’t have to buy the Little Black Beauty Book from Target.

Ziggy Stardust

Products:

Sonia Kashuk Foundation Stick in Alabaster (Target)

E.L.F Lipstick in Red Carpet (Target)

Maybelline Color Tattoo in 40 Tenacious Teal

Starlooks Pro Liner Pen in Black (or your favorite liquid liner brand)

Tip: The tutorials put an emphasis on getting your base to the same paleness as the photo in order to achieve the pink contouring done to Bowie’s face. I attempted the contouring, but I found it impossible with a cream foundation. If you want the real deal, follow the products that the makeup artists suggest, but the lightning bolt is the iconic symbol you should focus on.