Q. I’m trying to think of a Halloween costume that is still a costume, yet chic and stylish. Any ideas?
A. If batgirl, the sexy secretary or naughty nurse aren’t your style, we’ve put together some stylish Halloween costume ideas using many of the items already in your closet. Have fun!
Beyonce’s Single Ladies - Go with a couple of friends and dress like Beyonce and her dancers in the “Single Ladies” video. Wear a swimsuit or leotard, stockings and heels; tease your hair into a half up/half down style and wear a gigantic oversized cocktail ring.
1950s Housewife - Wear a ’50s style dress with an apron and classic pumps. Carry an oven mitt and pie or a feather duster. Bonus points for retro hair.
Marilyn Monroe or ’40s Pin Up Girl - If you’re blonde, go for the Marilyn Monroe look; brunettes can be a pin up girl. Wear a retro-styled halter dress and pumps, add retro curls to your hair, and follow these makeup tips courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman:
For bombshell makeup, start with a foundation that’s a shade lighter than you usually use (try Revlon’s Custom Creations foundation). This sets the stage for the crisp, retro look. Shade the crease of your eye with a soft beige-y taupe shadow. With a sponge-tipped applicator, apply a matte, bone colored shadow (or pale face powder) all over lids and add a silvery shimmer along the brow bone to highlight. The black liquid liner is very important. Run from tear duct to outer corner very close to the lash line. Extend liner up and out. Corner false lashes finish this alluring eye look. Fill out lips with a true blue-red lip liner and fill in with a deep red lipstick. Use very minimal blush in a soft pink. Ice the cake with Marilyn’s iconic mole aka your black liquid liner!
Prom Queen / Bridesmaid / Pageant Girl - Find a new use for that old prom dress or bridesmaid dress (the tackier the better!) with one of these costumes. Add a tiara and perhaps a date in a powder blue tux for Prom Queen; a tiara, a bouquet of flowers and a sash with your town or state on it for Pageant Girl (don’t forget your pageant wave!); for the always-a-Bridesmaid costume, carry a beat-up wedding bouquet and mess up your hair a bit so it looks like you knocked a few girls down to catch the bouquet.
Hippie - Put all those boho-chic clothes to good use and put together an outfit from the age of Aquarius (find pictures of the musical Hair for inspiration). Pull out the flared jeans, hippie tops and vests and frizz out your hair.
Robert Palmer girl - Here’s a costume that’s Simply Irresistible: grab some girlfriends, a little black dress and a guitar, slick your hair back and wear pale foundation, smokey eyes and red lips.
Lady Gaga - If you’re adept with a makeup brush and willing to go pants-less, adopt one of GaGa’s many looks for your Halloween pleasure. Get the makeup how-to here.
