Archive for October, 2010

I was the White Queen from Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, top left, a sword swallower for a freak show theme, top center, Cherry Darling from the "Planet Terror" of Grindhouse, top right, a fresh zombie, bottom left, a dirty mechanic, bottom center, and a nightmare bridesmaid, bottom right.

I LOVE Halloween, can you tell?

I went to art school, so we had theme/costume parties monthly and when the hallowed holiday came around each year, we tended to over do it with three or more costume opportunities.

Over the years I have been everything from a mechanic to a queen, but in high school the first time I used everyday makeup to make facial bruises and dark red nail polish for blood, I was hooked to the gore or at the very least the disturbing. That first time I dressed as though I had been beat up, so I was wearing regular clothing and people asked, “oh my, Jessica are you alright?” That told me I had succeeded in my first attempt at costume makeup.

I have also been a zombie in various states of dead more times than I can count including barely dead to the crawling out of the ground much longer dead version.

A Living Dead Doll, left, and my interpretation.

The key to these random forms of gore and dead is the back story. There must be a reason for the death, sometimes including a killer, and often with a twist.

Others ways that I have impersonated the walking dead include when I went as a Living Dead Doll, which is a creepy creepy doll. This was by far one of my scariest costumes, I actually had people in Chicago who wouldn’t walk near me. I wore the full white dress and the “cracks” on my skin went down my arms (as you can see to the right).

Let’s put it this way, when I take on a costume, I commit from top to bottom. No one wants to see a great looking zombie and then look down and said zombie is wearing brand new sneakers. Or has “normal” living looking hands. The makeup must be everywhere.

Some suggestions I have for those that are nervous about trying more involved costumes that require makeup are:

1. Use the white or gray make up in thin layers so the characteristics of your own skin show through, it looks more realistic.

2. Dark red or burgundy nail polish are perfect for areas where there needs to be a wound, once dried it has a much better effect than fake blood.

3. I have the best luck for bruises with redish brown eye shadow, it looks real. Also, if you are going for a raised bump look, like a head injury, try putting the eye shadow in a misshapen circle around your skin, which makes the center look raised.

4. Black shoe polish is the easiest way to look dirty and it stays put. Works on the skin or clothes and you can save the left over to use it again. TIP: Use plastic gloves, so your hands aren’t so grimy)

5. I steer clear of wigs, they always look fake, an option I use, which also makes the hair appear dirtier, is that spray color in black.

Martin-Cate

6. Check thrift stores for cheap clothes to destroy. Use a box cutter to score the clothes and make them easier to rip, using scissors always looks fake with the smooth edges.

7. Keep going with the makeup, many people make the mistake of adding a little makeup and going out. It takes layers of makeup to pull off a realistic zombie, so put makeup on and if it isn’t perfect, put more on top. It will end up looking even better.

8. Don’t be afraid of the latex wounds, they are not that hard to use and you only need to put makeup over top of them, to help make them blend in.

9. Have a photo of a look you’d like to mimic handy and try working from it, but don’t hold yourself to making it perfect.

10. Do dress up any way you’d like, although I strongly suggest refraining from store bought costumes, but either way, dress up and go and you will realize how much fun it is!

This year I am going as a character from a horror movie, which will involve a lot of fake blood and very specific attire. My co-worker Julie Ann Marra will be joining me for the group costume as my best friend who ends up killing me. I am purposefully refraining from giving away the title, as it will be a surprise for those I encounter.

I hope to see everyone this weekend fully decked out at Cheeks and Friends Freedom Fest Saturday, where The Local Q will be hosting a ridiculously awesome costume contest with a ton of prizes and three categories, including, scary, funny and frighteningly attractive.

Jessica M. Martin-Cate