Y’all we love Halloween, but let’s get real here for a minute — it’s also a huge pain in the butt. Between decorating the inside and outside of the house and trying to exercise massive amounts of self-control in order to keep from eating all the Halloween candy, we don’t have much energy to spend on putting together a costume. But, on the other hand, we also want to win every costume contest out there. Enter some magical makeup that’ll transform you into a mermaid faster than you can say “under the sea.”
Yes, #MermaidMakeup has been huge on Instagram, but not everyone is ponying up all the details on how to get the look. Until now. This makeup tutorial is super easy to master — as long as you’ve got a spare pair of fishnets on hand. Stockings, that is! No fish were caught or harmed during the making of this tutorial.
Finally, you can bring your mermaid dreams to life in way less time than it takes to shop for Halloween costumes online.
1. Begin by placing fishnet pantyhose or a wig cap over your face
You will look like the ugliest version of yourself during this step. It’s worth it, I promise.
2. Start creating the mermaid scales
Using a sponge or your fingertips, tap a blue cream shadow like Maybelline ColorTattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Tenacious Teal at your temples, forehead and tops of your cheekbones. (Maybelline, $7)
3. Give the scales an ombré effect
Next, take a green cream shadow like Maybelline ColorTattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Edgy Emerald, and apply below your blue areas, moving closer to the center of your face. (Maybelline, $7)
More: The 7 Coolest ‘How-To’ Makeup Kits With Built-In Instructions
4. Highlight the scales with silver cream eyeshadow
Using a silver cream shadow like Maybelline ColorTattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Silver Strike, tap on top of the high points of your face as highlights. (Maybelline, $7)
5. Remove the fishnets to reveal your makeup mermaid scales
Now, the fun part! Remove the fishnet, and see the scales you’ve created!
6. Apply blue cream eyeshadow
Using the same blue cream shadow and a synthetic brush or fingers, apply to the entire lid. Elongate the shape at the outer corners if you wish.
Next up: Make sure you blend the shadow
Originally published October 2014. Updated August 2017.
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