How To Prep and Protect Your Skin For Halloween Makeup
November 1, 2021
by Amanda Etkind
Halloween is a time of transformation, and thanks to the abundance of tutorials from beauty gurus on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, you can create entire Halloween looks simply using makeup. From wickedly witchy vibes, to channeling your favorite 2000s pop icon, the costume options are virtually endless. But before you can paint your face with fake blood, all the glitter, and pigments galore, there are a few things you must keep in mind, because like it or not, costume makeup can totally wreak havoc on your skin. Unlike the products already present in your makeup bag, Halloween makeup tends to be more pigmented and is made with harsh or potentially irritating ingredients. While it’s okay to use for the night, you want to prep your skin and keep it protected while wearing it so you don’t wake up with a different kind of mask the next day. From being ingredient conscious, to having a solid cleansing routine, scroll on to see our top tricks and tips for keeping your complexion in the clear for all of your Halloween makeup festivities.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Prepping your complexion for makeup is always important, but in this instance it’s imperative. Having a smooth, flake-free face will ensure your products apply seamlessly and don’t cause creasing or cling to dry patches. We recommend masking before you go to town with face paint. Here’s where our NEW Glow On Enzyme Mask ($55) can fit into your Halloween skincare routine. This gentle, yet effective, resurfacing mask is packed with a combination of natural fruit enzymes, AHAs, and replenishing oils to kick your radiance up a level and rehydrate skin—so it’s perfect for providing the instant results you need prior to makeup application. Apply a generous amount to clean, dry skin, working in circular motions until the mask turns white. Rinse off after 10-15 minutes, and get ready to glow.
Make Sure To Moisturize
Now that your face is baby-soft and smooth, it’s time to create a barrier between your skin and whatever you apply on top of it. This will not only also help with a smooth application process, but also, protects your skin from whatever you put on top of it. Why is it so important? Well, Halloween or theatre makeup is traditionally more pigmented and could cause staining. Plus, there are often harsher ingredients in those formulas (more on that later) which can clog pores. To avoid a pimply situation and staining, we suggest applying two layers of moisturizer for maximum protection and hydration. Reach for our Water Jelly Dew Cream ($55) for this step. The gel-cream hybrid delivers heavyweight hydration with a lightweight texture thanks to a mix of some hard-working ingredients. Hyaluronic acid locks moisture into skin to create a softer, plumper appearance, while a blend of 20% humectants draws water for a smoother skin with a dewy glow.
Be Wary Of Ingredients
As you know, we’re big proponents of clean ingredients in our makeup and skincare products. With stage makeup, there’s typically less regulation in terms of harsh or irritating ingredients, so when selecting yours make sure to read labels and don’t buy anything that may look sketchy. Try to skip anything that contains nickel, cobalt, chromium, or red pigment. We also suggest steering clear of fluorescent dyes. If you absolutely need something with luminescence, stick to zinc sulfide as that’s actually approved for cosmetic use.
Do A Patch Test
Breaking out in hives is never fun. While this can happen with any makeup or skincare product, it’s specifically a risk with heavy duty stuff like glues, adhesives, latex, or fake skins. Rather than risking it all the night of, try testing a small area of your skin like your forearm to see how you vibe with the product. Adhesive allergies are common, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Remove Your Makeup At The End Of The Night
This may seem like an obvious one, but be sure to wash off your makeup as soon as you’re home from your Halloween festivities. Falling asleep with makeup on can cause clogged pores, pimples, and long-term irritation. Since you’re likely wearing a full face, double cleansing is the way to go. Since regular soap isn’t going to cut it here, start with an oil cleanser that will dissolve heavy theatre makeup and face paint, then once all the makeup is gone, cleanse again to ensure all the dirt, debris, and grime is no longer sitting on top of your skin. Our favorite way to cleanse? With our Clean Scene Micellar Gel. This rinse-free gel whisks away both waterproof and long-wearing formulas alike, as well as dirt, excess oil, and impurities without stripping your skin of essential moisture. It's gentle enough to use on your entire face--even on your eyes and lips--yet powerful enough to deliver a clean finish in a single swipe.
We can’t wait to see all of your spooky season looks! Follow us on Instagram @goodhabitskin for more good habits and don't forget about the tips and tricks above! They will keep your skin happy and healthy—even when wearing a makeup mask for a night.