In this post I’ll be sharing VOL. 1 of our 2023 Halloween makeup, costumes, and DIY series. The theme this week is: SIRENS
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We’ve lured you in with a siren song to the very first #FrightFemmes Friday of the season!
If you’re just joining us, click here to read the intro post… but, here’s a quick recap in a nutshell:
The #FrightFemmes collab is an ode to our love for all things Halloween… especially, the makeup & costuming. During the month of October, I’m teaming up with Caro from @blonde2brunette and Ruthmarie from @the.vintage.raven to share weekly themed makeup and costume ideas with the hopes of inspiring others to tap into their creative flow all season long. This year, we’re also including lifestyle DIY projects, so there’s a little bit of magic for everyone to enjoy! Be sure to follow the official @FrightFemmes page on Instagram to keep up with our looks and projects… we’ll be posting content daily and can’t wait to see you there!
This week, we are diving in with the first theme of the series: SIRENS
Like always, you’ll find three very different approaches to conceptual siren looks, woven together by the thread of the magical dynamics of the sun & moon, with a focus on editorial styling and makeup techniques. Tip: this would make a stunning group costume if you and your girls are into the glam aesthetic for Halloween!
The LOOKS:
+ Caro (Eclipsed Siren)
+ Ruthmarie (Gilded Sun Siren)
+ Laura (Midnight Moon Siren)
Caro – Eclipsed Siren
Caro was inspired by the deep amber glow of a solar eclipse paired with the rich hues of swampy bayous to create her Siren look. Her use of gold and copper tones mixed with burgundy and subtle shades of green transformed her into a siren of the south – think marshlands and clay mud, but make it GLAM and GORG! As per usual, Caro expertly incorporated 3D elements in her MUA look to create crystal-like scales out of silicone modeling compound for that classic siren/mermaid aesthetic.
For more behind the scenes and details about Caro’s look, check out her post here!
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Keep up with Caro and her #FrightFemmes looks via her Instagram @caropozo + her lifestyle blog @blonde2brunette / blonde2brunette.com + her shop @thesugarcottage_ / thesugarcottagemiami.com for gifts, event design, and so much more! For video content, check out the Blonde2Brunette YouTube channel for all things party planning, gardening, MUA, and beyond!
Ruthmarie – Gilded Sun Siren
A sunkissed siren so glamorous that no sailor could ever resist. Ruthmarie was inspired by a Siren who’d adorn herself with the opulence of gold and pearls from the vessels she’s claimed. Pairing a shimmering gold smokey eye with dramatic lashes for an extra glam look. Her use of gold foil, metallic eyeshadows, and pearl accents adds a stunning gilded aesthetic to the entire look – down to the fingertips. As our resident sewing enthusiast, Ruthmarie took it one step further and also made her corset top, inspired by the fins of a Japanese beta fish. I simply can’t get enough of this look!
For more behind the scenes and details about Ruthmarie’s look, check out her post here!
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Keep up with Ruthmarie and her #FrightFemmes looks via her Instagram @the.vintage.raven + blog thevintageravenblog.com, and her shop @preciselyplanners / RMSewingEmporium for sewing planners and more creative goodies! For video content, check out The Vintage Raven YouTube channel for upcoming creative projects!
Laura – Midnight Moon Siren
This week, I’m basking in divine femininity as I pull inspiration from the moon and the ocean, two of the most powerful spiritual symbols that connect us to our intuition and emotions.
When thinking about a conceptual costume for a siren, the edgy more alluring cousin of the mermaid, I was inspired by the way the ocean shimmers under a full moon, and wanted to incorporate that into my makeup, making the eyes a focal point. To achieve this, I used a super reflective metallic silver, placed in a sporadic pattern to mimic the surface sparkles of the sea and shoreline.
Leaning further into the glitzy elements, I adorned my head and shoulders with dripping crystals. In the end, I think the makeup look and costume styling turned out slightly Art Deco inspired, with a nod to the 1930s vintage mermaids – with a bit of a darker edge.
Keep up with me and my #FrightFemmes looks via Instagram @laurajadeprado
Click here for my digital planner
Putting together the Midnight Moon Siren look:
Makeup + Hair:
While I typically gravitate towards the warm/gold tones, this week I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone (much like I did during our Tim Burton week from the last series) and dip into the world of cool toned shades.
- Messy smokey eye – I’m always a fan of makeup looks that only require a few simple products. For this smokey eye, I used navy blue eyeshadow and black eyeliner, focusing darker areas around the inner and outer corners for an elongated “siren” eye shape. You can always add clump lashes for that “wet” look, or further elongate the eye with fanned outer corner lashes. Feel free to have a loose hand and even be a little messy/edgy with this eye look.
- Metallic details – To mimic how the surface of the water sparkles under the moonlight, I used the Mehron metallic powder to create bright and vivid silver accents. Placing random spots around the eyelid, above the brows, and down towards the cheeks. This metallic powder is really reflective and would be perfect for any look that requires a true SILVER. To create the liquid metal look, you want to use a mixing medium (or a few drops of coconut oil) mixed in with the powder. To up the glow factor on the rest of the face, I applied this shimmer highlight powder to my cheekbones, nose, and cupids bow.
- Faux bleached brows – Faux bleached brows instantly change the look of your face. I love incorporating this trick whenever I really want the eye makeup to be a focal point. Something about the lack of brows (or lighter brows) really highlights the eyelid and also creates a more edgy feel. All you need to do is fully saturate the brows in a concealer a few shades lighter than your skin tone. Make sure to coat the brows from front to back and then lightly brush them into place. You can set them with a clear brow gel to lock them in place for hours.
- Wet Lips – It wouldn’t be a mermaid/siren MUA without a bit of glowy gloss. To achieve the wet lips pout, I love to use multiple layers of a super shiny plumping gloss. This isnโt the most practical or comfortable lip, but I think it really helps tie in the โwetโ look. If youโre not into the plumping effect, opt for a super shiny gloss instead.
- Wet Hair – To achieve that wet hair look that lasts all night you’ll need to commit to layering several products. Start by wetting your hair and applying extra conditioner. Don’t rinse the conditioner out completely to further help weigh the hair down. This should leave you with a super silky base to continue adding product over. Next, apply a combination of styling cream and extra strength hair serum. Make sure you evenly apply from root to tips. Then set in place using a flexible hold hairspray. Tip: if youโll be spending the night outdoors, go for humidity resistant products to avoid frizz.
Alternative/Additional options:
– a sleek long blonde wig with braided accent pieces around the hairline, would also pair so well with this makeup look, complimenting the metallic silver details!
– enhance your siren eyes with a pair of ethereal grey or light blue contacts.
– incorporate crystal gems or pearls on the face and body for added shimmer and sparkle.
– add the finishing touches with a set of pearlescent silver press on nails.
Outfit + Styling:
When choosing an outfit to pair with this makeup look, I knew I wanted a slinky fabric that had a pretty drape and some sheen. The dress I pulled is thrifted, originally from Zara, and the plisse fabric paired with a thick elastic at the neckline created a subtle shell-like edging that I thought worked so well for the siren look. The color was also pretty spot on with my moonlit-reflection ocean inspiration images. Click here for a similar dress option!
Apart from the metallic silver accents on the makeup, I wanted to dive deeper into the sparkle elements and styled the costume with rhinestone crystals and silver jewelry. The crystal headpiece is what really takes this look into the 1930’s flapper era, and works perfectly with the slicked back “wet” hair style. Simply add bobby pins and extra hold hairspray to keep it in place all night. A necklace/shoulder jewelry piece (find a similar one here) drapes beautifully over the shoulders, and creates almost a cap sleeve effect, again very fitting for the Art Deco era. To incorporate the ocean feel, I added a large conch shell pendant (borrowed from this pair of earrings) to the center of the necklace with a simple jump ring and finished the jewelry with a pair of statement silver earrings.
For a costume party or Halloween night out on the town, I’d complete this look with a pair of metallic silver pointed toe sling back heels and a vintage inspired beaded clutch.
That wraps up our FrightFemmes SIRENS theme. Stay tuned for fresh new content from myself, Caro, and Ruthmarie… coming up next week!
In the meantime, follow along on Instagram @laurajadeprado for sneak peeks at upcoming Halloween makeup and costume inspo + other lifestyle-related content.
You can also check out my Halloween Pinterest board for tons of costumes, home decor, and party inspo… updated daily! As well as my Amazon Storefront where youโll find my favorite Halloween and seasonal finds!
Xx- Laura
PS โ Want to recreate your own version of a makeup look, costume, or DIY project? Weโd love to see it! Use the hashtag #FrightFemmes and tag us @frightfemmes on Instagramโฆ weโll be picking our favorites to feature throughout the month of October!