Halloween is a makeup artist's favorite holiday.
This year's most popular costumes - Smurfette, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga - will not be complete without the finishing flourishes of blush, eyelashes and glitter.
But Halloween makeup does not have to be fussy and overcomplicated, said Rachael Evington, manager of the Bare Escentuals counter at Dillard's Woodland Hills. Using some easy techniques can elevate a costume from cute to dazzling.
She and makeup artist Rachel Ryals offered two distinct looks for Halloween: a smoky eye, which is perfect for dozens of costumes - and a snow leopard, which is easier than it seems.
"You would think that a snow leopard would take a long time, but it's a snap," Evington said. "It's very easy, very quick to do. I plan to do this for my daughter this year."
Here are two ways to make heads turn this Halloween.
The smoky eye
Ryals demonstrates the versatility of one of makeup's biggest trends - the smoky eye - by using a Bare Minerals eye shadow duo called The Honeymoon Phase, a mix of pink and gray shadows. "You can use it for every day with a more natural look by using light browns, or like I'm doing here, you can make it more dramatic with a darker gray."
1. Apply the pink shadow across the lid.
2. Sweep the gray shadow along the outside half of the eye, creating a contoured shadowy effect.
3. Blend the two shadows together with a brush.
4. To finish, dust Mineral Veil in Crushed Pearl to add a glow to the eye. Dust a little under the eye for an added sparkle.
5. Line the top eyelid with basic black eyeliner to add a voluminous look to the upper lashes.
6. Apply black mascara for a dramatic look, brown for a daytime look.
The snow leopard
Evington said she created this snow leopard look in one evening.
"It's really cute. I got this idea and bought a cat tail and ears to complete the look," she said.
1. Apply Bare Minerals Brightening Eyelid Primer, "so the makeup stays on longer."
2. Apply a shimmering white eye shadow color, all along the eye and under the eye for the snow leopard effect.
3. Use black eyeliner to draw small, squiggly spots in the eye area - and all over the face if you choose. Start at the inside of the eyelid and work your way out.
4. Use the white eye shadow to fill in the dots. "You can use brown if you want a regular leopard, or you can have fun with it and use purples and pinks," Evington said.
5. Finish the look with a liquid red lip gloss.
"I think moms would love to use different colors for this," she said. "If you want, with little kids, you can add a black dot with eyeliner for the nose and black whiskers."
Evington said for other looks, such as a witch or Smurfette, sweep green and blue mineral makeup across the whole face.
"Or you can combine it with water, since they are minerals. It's really good for children's skin."
