Adult Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Mermaid

Apply Foundation

Cover imperfections with a natural foundation and matching concealer, and set with a loose powder for a soft finish (Image 1). Brush a pink blush over your cheekbones (Image 2).

Create Fish-Scale Design

Cut one leg off a pair of regular fishnet stockings, then cut off the foot end to make it into a tube. Gently stretch the widest part of the hose over your face. Using a brush, sponge or your finger, dab the blue creme foundation around eyes, brows and cheekbones, making sure to keep the fishnet from shifting as you work (Image 1). Add light blue creme foundation, fading it out above the brow and down under the cheekbone (Image 2).

Set the creme foundation with shimmering eye shadows in similar shades. Use a fluffy eye shadow brush to lightly dust the color, mimicking the fade effect you created with the creme foundations. Start with blue eye shadow first, then fade to aqua eye shadow. Use silver/white mineral shimmer eye shadow to dust over the entire design to reflect light like real fish scales (Image 3). Make sure to apply plenty of the shimmering eye shadow at the edges of the design where it fades out. Gently remove the fishnet to reveal fish scales (Images 4 and 5).

Apply Eye Color

Detail eyebrows with a brush and blue creme foundation, then set it with a touch of shadow (Image 1). Brush silver/white mineral shimmering eye shadow across eyelids and continue to the inside corners of eyes (Image 2). Apply purple eye shadow to outside of eyelids, fading inward to silver/white shimmering eye shadow. Mirror the purple shadow under eyes (Image 3). Create a dramatic cat eye with bright blue liquid eyeliner, making it thick enough to see once the false lashes go on (Image 4). Line waterline, the inside bottom of eyelid, with blue pencil liner to match (Image 5).

Enhance Eyelashes

Curl lashes then coat them with mascara (Image 1). Choose a winged pair of false lashes where the edges get gradually longer; attach them with eyelash glue (Image 2). Use mascara to blend eyelashes with false lashes (Image 3). Add a second pair of lashes on the bottom; don't be afraid to use something dramatic (Image 4). Place stick-on pearls over the scales around eyes (Image 5).

Add Lip Color

Apply blue lipstick to lips (Image 1). Blot a dab of silver/white mineral eye shadow in the center of your lips for shimmer (Image 2).

Finish the Look

Add stick-on pearls to lips, shoulders, arms and chest (Images 1 and 2). Create soft waves in your hair with a curling iron, or go all out with a long, wavy costume wig (Image 3). Pick a shade that complements the colors of your scales and embellish the wig with strings of faux pearls and shells (Image 4).