The ART in FIRE

Making your little Pumpkin “Green” for Halloween

Shades of Green

by Trends Staff

This Halloween, opt for a fun way to create safe and eco-friendly make-up for your children or for yourself (lots of fun adult events going on around town after Trick-or-Treating is over). This idea can make the night more than just putting on a costume and getting candy. Since it falls on a Saturday night this year, you have a little extra time to enjoy the dress-up part with your children. Try to plan a “make-up making” party in advance.  You can include them in the process and not worry about if any of the make-up is toxic to their little faces! It’s all edible! When the night is over, it just washes away without harsh chemicals.

Start with Edible Makeup
You can create a basic foundation and make it the color you or your child wants!
·    10 teaspoons (3 Tablespoons + 1 tsp.) cornstarch
·    2 teaspoons white flour
·    5 teaspoons vegetable shortening
·    1/8 teaspoon food coloring or fresh juices
·    1/4 teaspoon glycerin (available at cake decorating and craft stores)
1. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. Stir in vegetable shortening. Add any food coloring you would like. Stir in the glycerin; mixing until well combined.

2. Use your fingers or a makeup sponge to apply face paint. Use small brushes or your fingertips for detailed designs.
Warts, Scabs and Road Rash are really fun to create! Here are some idea but don’t be limited to these. A great source of texture that comes to mind is oatmeal.
This is the Basic Goop Recipe:
·    1 ounce gelatin (plain or flavored, depending on desired color)
·    2 tablespoons boiling water
·    Mix-ins as needed: couscous, paprika, colored sugar
·    4 tablespoons corn syrup
In a small bowl or cup combine gelatin and water. Mix and let set 3 minutes. It’s now time to begin experimenting with the gelatin. There are a variety of techniques that can be used to create special makeup effects:
·    Warts, blisters, and general skin growths:
Before the gelatin sets completely, make moles or blisters by dripping the liquid gelatin onto a ceramic plate and letting it set completely. When set, carefully peel the formations off of the plate. Stick them onto your child’s body and face by using a drop of corn syrup as adhesive.
Apply color to growths, make additional growths and make convincing-looking blood: Use a spoon, popsicle stick, or other makeup applicators (including your hands) to apply the partially-set gelatin to your child’s body and face. The gelatin will drip or clot depending on the degree of set it has reached. If the gelatin sets before you’re ready, reheat it briefly in the top of a double-boiler or in a microwave for approximately 10 seconds on high until it thins out and the process begins again. Use a spoon to drip semi-liquid red gelatin over scars, scabs or out of wounds. After 3 to 5 minutes, the gelatin will set in very realistic-looking drips. If the gelatin doesn’t set, let it sit another minute and try again.
·    Other gooey, slimy, stretchy effects: Let the gelatin set about 5 minutes. Stretch or grab gobs of the almost-set gelatin and string it or glop it as you desire. Attach to skin with corn syrup.
·    Add texture to the makeup. Stirring in mix-ins adds texture to the effects. Sprinkling colored sugar into the unset gelatin will make grainy textured effects, while sprinkling couscous or paprika on top of the globs once they’ve begun to set will make some wounds look scabbed over.
You can see these are basic recipes. You and the kids can get creative and use your imaginations adding in lots of other natural things from the kitchen. Have a safe and fun time and remember to recycle/reuse your costumes!