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The Spooky Scary Daily Face - October 3, 2011 - The Mexican Skeleton

face: Ben Nye Creme Color in White

face details: Ben Nye Creme Color in Black, Ben Nye Creme Color in Red

eyeliner: MAC Blacktrack

eye flower center: Burgundy from Master Bruise FX Wheel, Ben Nye Creme Color in Black

eye flower petals: Ben Nye Creme Color in Red, Green from Master Bruise FX Wheel

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

lips: NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga

FACT: I have wanted to attend The Day of The Dead in Mexico since I was 16.  I think it’s really awesome and creepy how everyone hangs out in cemeteries for two days and celebrates their deceased loved ones.  I love Mexican skeletons and have a small collection of them which I accumulated on numerous trips across the country.  My favorite being a small bride and groom which has somehow remained in tacted (and on my desk) through about 8 moves.

For the look: First using a sponge applicator I covered my entire face and neck in Ben Nye Creme Color in White.  The layer of white should be blended so it is not too thick on the face, that means allowing the natural pigment of the skin to remain visible. 

Next I mixed Burgundy from Master Bruise FX Wheel and Ben Nye Creme Color in Black to get an eggplant color which I applied using a brush in a large circle around the eyes.  The size of the circle will depend on the size and shape of your face, but it should extend over the eyebrows.

Next using the Green from Master Bruise FX Wheel I drew the outlines for the flower petals with a small pointed brush.  The flower petals are by far the hardest part of this look, but don’t get discouraged, they don’t have to be perfect.  Also, try experimenting with the shape and size of the petals.  For example, you’ll notice I made the petals under my eyes larger and slightly slanted, but you don’t have to do the same thing.  Use your own creative intuition here.  Once the outline is complete I filled in the petals with a small flat curved brush using Ben Nye Creme Color in Red.  After the petals are filled in you might need to go back and clean up the green outline.

Next I made an upside down heart over the nose using Ben Nye Creme Color in Black.  I also lined the inner rims of the upper and lower lids with Blacktrack to eliminate visible natural skin.

The facial detailing and flourishes are other areas where you can pretty much do anything you want.  I recommend googling photos of Mexican skeletons to get some ideas.  You might want to do a different pattern entirely, or something with color, or no flourishes at all.  This is totally your call, but whatever you do you will want to use a small pointed brush (like the one you used for the flower petals) to make these designs.  Using a small pointed brush will ensure that the designs are delicate and precise.

Last I used NARS lipstick in Volga on the lips and applied mascara.

Stay tuned for all Halloween Daily Faces for the rest of October and have a spooky day!