Deciding on a Halloween costume is anything but easy. Many college students find themselves researching costumes months in advance. They struggle to find something reasonably priced, only to find themselves with nothing to wear on the day before Halloween. Why spend money on an outfit you will wear once when you can wear your costume on your face? 

Below are tips to create a mermaid makeup look under $10. Be sure to check out the attached video for a tutorial showing how to create lion and scarecrow looks.

Materials:

Fishnets

Shimmer eye shadow

Black pencil eyeliner

Foundation 

Fake lashes, optional

For those who don’t own foundation or eyeliner, local drugstores carry affordable brands. Many also carry eyeshadow, fake lashes and fishnets for under $5 each.

Step 1 — Create an even skin tone using foundation. 

Step 2 — Take the waistband of the fishnets and place on the top of your head. Pull down the fishnets until the waistband reaches right under your nose. 

Step 3 — Pull the fishnets tight against the sides of your face and begin filling the gaps in the fishnets with the eye shadow to create the illusion of scales. 

Tip: To ensure the shadow will last throughout the night, consider filling the gaps of the fishnets with a light blue or green eyeliner first so the shadow has a base to adhere to. Place dark shadows on the outside of your face and gradually add lighter colors. The scales should start around the hairline and move toward the eye area. 

Step 4 — Apply black eyeliner to the upper water line and fake lashes to the top lashes. Add a fun pink lipstick for contrast!

Tip: Put a light coat of black mascara on your real lashes before applying fake lashes to help them blend with the false lashes. 

To complete the mermaid costume, consider curling your hair and putting on a skirt or dress that complements the colors you’ve applied!  

Listed below are a few materials and tips to go along with the lion and scarecrow tutorials. Be sure to check out the video!

Lion Materials:

Black liquid eyeliner

Black pencil eyeliner

Red lipstick

Face highlight

White matte eye shadow

Liquid foundation in a dark color for contouring

Fake eyelashes, optional

Fake eyelashes, liquid eyeliner and face highlighter can all be found at local drugstores for under $5 each. Any red lipstick and matte neutral eye shadow will complete this look. 

Tip: Use a contouring foundation in a shade that is at least three shades darker than your skin tone. Don’t worry, it will get blended. Applying a translucent powder after finishing the makeup will guarantee that it lasts throughout the night.    

An old brown sweater paired with ears and a tail made out of fabric makes a perfect costume. The fabric can be found at craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby. A quarter or even an eighth of a yard would be enough to make the accessories. 

Scarecrow Materials:

Peach blush

Black liquid eyeliner

Black pencil eyeliner

Fake eyelashes, optional

All materials can be found at local drugstores for under $5.