BellaSugar

Create a Sweet Dia de Lost Muertos Sugar Skull

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:01:08 PDT

Becoming a ghoulishly pretty calaverita (like this on, by Yolanda Bartram) isn't as difficult as it seems if you've got the right tools. An inexpensive Face Paint Kit ($6) is, of course, a necessity. If you're a good free-hand drawer, you can create the look with a little time and planning, but even if you're not graphically inclined, a stencil set ($5) will make it easy to create cool designs worthy of the wildest dancing skeleton. For a beautiful look like this one, tie the design together with cute alligator clips ($3) and accentuate your sockets with dramatic slanted false lashes like these Shu Uemura False Eyelashes in Slant Black ($15).

Photo courtesy Yolanda Bartram

This Scary Pumpkin Face Paint Is Frightfully Good

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:30:10 PDT

Eep! This evil Jack-o'-lantern face paint is seriously scary. Face painting artist Lone Wolf Kirkegaard created the spooky design and is letting us show you how she did it. See how she made this creepy pumpkin come to life below.

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Photos courtesy Lone Wolf Kirkegaard

Get This Wonderfully Witchy Makeup in 5 Steps

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:30:07 PDT

Scary witch is a classic Halloween costume, but all the cobwebs and cackling in the world aren't as creepy as some frightening face paint and a prosthetic nose. Face-painting artist Yolanda Bartram from BodyFX in New Zealand created this great witch makeup in just a few minutes. She's shared a straightforward step-by-step tutorial for creating the look with just a fake nose, faux warts, adhesive, and a face-painting kit. So to see how you can re-create this terrifying visage for your own fright night, just keep reading.

Photos courtesy Yolanda Bartram

15 Awesome Last-Minute Halloween Face Paint Ideas

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:00:24 PDT

If you're still looking for an amazing Halloween disguise, I've got some great last-minute ideas that'll have your friends impressed no matter what kind of party you're going to. These 15 ideas range from the lovely to the downright creepy, and almost all of them require nothing but a face painting kit. So click through for some instant inspiration.

Photo courtesy Lynne Jamieson

This Face Painter Created a Gruesome (Fake) Wound

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:00:44 PDT

You don't need a special effects kit to create a Frankenstein-worthy forehead. Face painting artist Lone Wolf Kirkegaard created this gruesomely cool design in a few minutes using nothing but paint and her free-handing skills. Curious to see how it all came together? Just click through to see her process from beginning to finish.

Photos courtesy Lone Wolf Kirkegaard

Doing Drugstore: FX Special Effects Texture Dirt Texturizing Paste

BellaSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:59:19 PDT

As I know from firsthand experience, it's easy to spend a small fortune on hairstyling products. After all, salon products are pricey, and it's hard to know if they work unless you try them a few times. One of my stalwarts is Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan Product, which is designed to give your hair a slightly dirty look. Writes stylist Jonathan Antin on the label: "There's something amazing about the way hair looks and behaves the day after - washing that is."

But I have to admit: $26 is a lot to pay for a product that makes my hair look dirty. So I was intrigued when I saw this description of FX Special Effects Texture Dirt Texturizing Paste: "Texture Dirt has been created to easily give you the amazing way your hair looks and behaves the day after washing." And it cost just $5.99! Could it be a budget version of Dirt? Well, sort of, so

Though drugstore hairstyling products improved over the years, this is one category where it's usually better to splurge. Having said that, FX Special Effects Texture Dirt is one of the best drugstore styling products I've ever tried. It has a nice, clean smell and a whipped mousse-like texture. Just a little bit of paste adds a lot of texture to even the fullest manes, but it also isn't heavy on your hair.

But while Texture Dirt is perfectly serviceable for people on a budget, it really doesn't come close to approaching the wonderfulness of Dirt. The Jonathan version adds way more texture and lasts longer, too. I'm willing to keep ponying up the $26, but if you're looking for a quality budget hair paste, you won't be disappointed in FX Special Effects Texture Dirt.