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Costume Accessories and Makeup

Girls of all ages love dressing up. There are many girls' costumes that appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Here are some favorites.

Very few costumes come with everything needed to dress up. A pirate outfit, for example, may come with an eye patch and a sash, but it will still need the hat, sword, and parrot to make it complete. Wigs, jewelry, and stockings can add a lot to an outfit for women. Inflatable props, such as guitars, axes, or genie bottles can be a perfect way to enhance your style.

Using accessories to complete a dress-up idea shows a lot of foresight. For those who enter cosplay contests, the use of accessories can mean a first place trophy. A cowboy needs a hat and a lasso, and a ninja needs a sword and nunchucks. A clown needs brightly colored hair and a red nose. Without the extra accoutrements, they just would not be complete.

Masks are another great accessory. They are available for almost every type of character, from animals to horror characters, and even historical figures. Action hero masks are very popular, and they add the final touch to masquerade dress.

Makeup is another great way to complete your look. It is available both in kits for specific themes, and separately. Kits are most often sold for clowns, vampires, and witches. White, black, and colored face paint is sold by itself, as is fake blood. For those who really enjoy using prosthetics to complete a costume, stage make up may be the way to go. Theatrical quality grease paints and tools can provide professional results with only a little bit of skill. With some practice, it is possible to make realistic black eyes and cuts or scrapes, and adds facial hair or prosthetic facial features. It is possible to use face paints for many of these same techniques with similar results.

The best way to get great results when applying makeup is to use the right tools. Foam wedges work well for applying a smooth base, and smaller wedges for more detailed areas. Use a stipple brush to make realistic scrapes and bruises. A fine-tipped applicator is best for oozing blood. Color pencils, similar to eyeliner pencils, are good for fine lines and detailing.

A well-applied makeup job can be a costume in itself. It is a great alternative to masks, which may be hard to see through. That can be dangerous when traveling in the dark on Halloween. It is a much safer alternative, and can be used for multiple characters. The green used for a witch's face also creates a sickly pallor for a zombie.

Halloween isn't the only time to use accessories when dressing up. They also work for sporting events, parties, plays, and other stage performances. Using makeup and accessories can make the difference between ordinary and amazing. These little extra touches can really make a big difference in the authenticity of your ensemble.

When planning costumes for Halloween or any other event, don't forget to buy accessories that go with them.