Shopping for a scary Halloween costume can be a lot of fun if already know how you want to dress. If you are not yet sure what your halloween costume is going to be, it is a good idea to gather some possibilities before you go shopping. Costume makeup can be a great way to look scary, even more so than realistic masks and full-body costumes. With a good makeup set, you can even take a classic halloween costume, staple and spice it up in a way that makes it new again. Once you know what effect you want to achieve, you can start thinking about how to make the effect happen.
Some classic costumes include vampires and zombies, and both these can be achieved without a mask by using more realistic costume makeup for a better look. Try purchasing a set that is specific to the halloween costume that you wish to don; it is not difficult to find sets of zombie makeup that are intended to mimic dead flesh. Experiment with the makeup before Halloween so that you can get a feel for how it works, and once you are confident in your ability, you can get a convincing look without using a mask. Vampires are even easier, and require only a palette with white foundation and dark makeup to add eye shadows and hollowed cheeks.
A scary Halloween costume can also be achieved by putting a spin on a costume that is not normally frightening. Try dressing as an undead angel by purchasing a normal angel costume and adding makeup from the zombie costume makeup kit. You can even dress as an undead version of yourself by donning your regular clothes and using makeup to give yourself unhealed cuts and various blemishes on your face and arms. Whatever your halloween costume idea may be, it is certain that a good set of costume makeup can make your costume even scarier.