by Hugo Silva

Created on: October 08, 2009

How many of us have surfed the internet looking for that great costume, the one that would scare our friends and would be the one everyone was talking about, only to find that if it does exist, it probably is too expensive for something you're going to wear only once a year, and probably only once after you do buy it?

I've been there, as have most of us, and I realized that the best way to get that awesome costume is to just make it at home. Of course you may need a few things that you get from the shops, but you'll end up spending a whole lot less for individual items, specific items, than you would if you bought a whole outfit.

For instance, you can buy some face paint, a cape, a top hap, a walking cane for about 20$, if you look in your local department store. I did that, and all I had to add was clothes I already own. That made things so much easier, not to mention cheap. And it served me just right, since everyone that saw what I did was very impressed by the handy work.

Now, if you do buy face paint and you plan on using it, I'd advise you to draw the markings with a pencil, so that you know where to place what color. Think of this as paint by numbers. Check on the internet for images and even Halloween specialized shops for some ideas on what type of face paint you should get.

If you want to be a vampire, you'll need white and red face paint, a cape and fangs. That's all! After you buy these specific items, check your closet for some dark pants, a dark shirt and maybe a vest. Then check for shoes. Try to keep it in the dark theme, black, or very dark blue should do the trick. After you find your clothes apply the face paint, with caution. You don't want to get paint on the clothes or somewhere else than your face. It's that simple.

Keep in mind that you don't need to go over the top to get a great costume. You may have the things that you need at your own place. Like I said, the internet is still a great resource for everyone, and if you're struggling with a costume idea, why not search the online stores, see a costume that you like, and just strip it down to the basics: see what you really need, the specific items that make the outfit, and pay close attention to the costume to see if you happen to have any piece of clothing that comes close to the one you see.

This is still the best way to get the costume you like, without spending too much money on it, knowing beforehand that you'll probably wear it once or twice.

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