How to Avoid Post-Halloween Horror Skin

It’s that time of year when we are most creative, the time where we can become who — or what — we want to be!

At least for a night…

By now you’ve probably seen too many Pinterest photos of elaborate makeup jobs that turn people into forest animals and zombies. You’re ready to try it this year!

Beware… most of us think that using any form of Halloween makeup will do the trick in helping us achieve our fantasy. But for most of us, our skin is not used to so much product coverage. October cosplay can lead to November nightmares!

Since wearing makeup has some advantages over masks (makeup doesn’t obstruct your vision and is not as stifling hot), many companies now manufacture fantasy makeup kits. Be sure to read the ingredients. White pancake makeup, unscented baby powder, and black cake liner are safe to use on our faces. Do not improvise with marker pens, superglue nor anything else not meant for skin — while permanent ink is not permanent on our skin, it will take time to fade away and rough washing will cause our faces to breakout.

Before you transform (into…whatever character you’re supposed to be there; I give up guessing…) here are some SkinSmarts tips to save your face.

Few Days Prior to the Big Night:

Patch Test for Allergies. Keep in mind that those makeup and prosthetic scar kits sold in stores right next to your costume may have some ingredients that can cause allergic reaction to some skin types. Burning, itching, hives, blistering, peeling skin, swollen eyelids — no one wants a post-Halloween crisis.

1. Put a patch of makeup or prosthetic glue in a spot that won’t be too conspicuous if there’s an allergic reaction, like your neck, under your jaw, or near your ear.
2. Leave it on all day and wash it off with the products you plan to use to wash your face.
3. It’s best to repeat the patch test a couple of days in a row.

On the Big Day of the Big Night:

Prepare and Protect Your Face. Starting with a clean face will keep impurities and dirt from being trapped between your skin and the makeup. A clean face will also help the makeup last.

1. Always wash your hands before washing your face!
2. Wash your face with a milky cleanser (dry and normal skin types) or a soapless cleanser (oily and combination skin).
3. Do not rub your face; this could allow the makeup to soak into broken skin and cause irritation.
4. Rinse well and gently pat dry with a fresh, clean cloth.
5. Use a cotton ball moistened with toner or clarifying lotion to refresh your face. Now you are ready to apply the makeup.

When the Big Night is Over:

Never sleep “in character”. It will only result in dry skin, makeup in the eyes, nose, ears and under fingernails, and a tough-to-clean multi-colored pillow!

1. Use a creamy cleanser to remove all traces of makeup.
2. Again, don’t rub too hard and cause irritation.
3. Be careful around the eyes. Gently pat dry.
4. Use a cotton ball to apply a soothing moisturizer.

Happy cosplaying and candy-gorging — it’s the only time of year you can do both without getting peculiar looks!

Here are some wildly creative makeup ideas from PopSugar. Many need to be done by a professional but some you can actually accomplish at home, with practice.