Artist, photographer, designer—Gina believes that the main purpose of the arts is to enrich lives, making life a more pleasant experience.

I Used Temporary Tattoos to Create Halloween Makeup Effects

I stumbled upon these temporary costume tattoos while strolling through the Halloween aisle at the Dollar General Store, but there are many similar items available from other places like Amazon. Whether you’re looking for something beautiful, zombie-like, bewitching, or something completely out of your imagination, temporary tattoos are a perfect alternative to Halloween makeup.

All of the designs which follow in the different videos have all been created using temporary tattoos.

Why Use Temporary Tattoos Instead of Makeup?

• They do not take a lot of time.
• They are inexpensive.
• They have a lot of detail for people with no skill.
• They are smudge-proof.
• They are a lot of fun.
• They are easy to apply and remove.

Idea #1: Glam Zombie

What You Will Need

• Your choice of temporary costume tattoos
• Scissors, if you need to cut apart your tattoos
• A bowl of water
• Paper towel, sponge, or baby wipes to apply the tattoos
• Clean skin

Step 1: Start With a Clean Slate

As with most other makeup application, it goes on smoother and lasts longer if you have a clean base. Wash your skin thoroughly and, if you've got any hair there, shave it (just like they would for a real tattoo!) Depending on the location, an astringent could be beneficial too. This ensures that all of those oils are stripped and your makeup will really stick.

Step 2: Cut Apart the Temporary Tattoos

Step 3: Start Planning Where You Want to Place Your Tattoos

Step 4: Remove the Plastic Film From the Back Before You Apply

Step 5: Place the Tattoo Against Your Skin

Step 6: Apply the Moistened Sponge, Paper Towel, or Wipe to the Tattoo and Hold in Place

Step 7: Peel the Paper Away From the Tattoo to See the Result

Step 8: Continue Placing Tattoos in Your Chosen Areas

Tip: Feel Free to Extend the Tattoos Onto your Chest or Hairline

Step 9 (Optional): Apply Additional Makeup for Even More Dramatic Effects

The Completed Glam Zombie Makeup

See the Entire Process for the Glam Zombie Makeup Effect

Idea #2: A Cracked Porcelain Doll

The second look I created was a daring, borderline scary look in the form of a cracked porcelain doll makeup effect using temporary tattoos.

These temporary tattoos create sporadic cracks all over your face.

What is it about cracked or broken old dolls that make them so creepy?

Cracked Porcelain Doll Makeup Effect

Idea #3: Day of the Dead or El Día de Los Muertos Makeup Effect

I remember the first time that I celebrated the true Día de los Muertos. I was living in Ciudad de Juarez in my late teens. I can still picture the sugar skulls, the makeup, all the costumes, and the parades that took place for two days.

It all started on October 31st with the parades in the streets. At first, it was a little scary as I had never experienced anything quite like that before. I found out that the Day of the Dead or El Día de Los Muertos was essentially a family time, a time of reunion for both the living and the dead. It was a time when the favorite food of the deceased was placed on the gravestone and it was believed that the spirit of the loved one would return once more to consume the meal. Images of the loved one were placed on ofrendas to allow them to be able to pass into the land of the living.

The Day of the Dead appeals to artists and Halloween celebrators and others because the main symbol used in the celebration, the skull, falls curiously between the familiar and the unfamiliar in mainstream North American culture. The designs used in the decorations, face paint, confectionery, and other forms of celebratory art all manage to turn the skull—widely known as the symbol of death—into a thing of remarkable beauty... and so it is done in my next make-up design using temporary tattoos: El Día de los Muertos Makeup Effect.

El Día de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead Makeup Effect

Add Other Effects to Complete Your Personalized Look.

Customize Your Own Halloween Mask Using Temporary Tattoos

Imagine going out on Halloween night with your own custom-designed mask. No one will have a mask quite like yours because you designed it yourself.

The process to customizing your own mask using temporary tattoos is the same as if you were putting them on your face. The differences are:

• You are placing them on a plastic mask that you will wear.
• You can use the mask again and again rather than have to scrub the tattoos off your face.

Materials

• A bowl of water
• A paper towel, rag, or piece of sponge to moisten the tattoos
• Temporary tattoos
• Plastic mask to customize

Process

1. Cut up the tattoos.
2. Remove the plastic film on the tattoos before applying them to the mask.
3. Begin to apply the tattoos, and continue to design until finished.
4. Check out the following video for full details!

Video Tutorial on Customizing Your Halloween Mask

BONUS VIDEO: Tribal Queen Makeup

In Closing

Whatever your costume will be, whether ghoul, goblin, princess, or creature that crawls in the night, put the finishing touch on your Halloween getup with custom temporary tattoos.

© 2018 Gina Welds Hulse