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Beauty DIY: How To Do Day Of The Dead / Dia De Los Muertos Makeup
Those of you who know me well will know that I absolutely adore Mexico. The country is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen but what’s even more beautiful is it’s traditions. One of my favourites is Dia De Los Muertos better known to us as Day Of The Dead. This is the tradition where the life of loved ones that have passed is celebrated and honored. It normally takes place on November 1st & November 2nd but we often use the makeup for Halloween!
Over the course of the first two days in November pictures of the deceased are placed on altars & shrines with that person’s favourite food and drink, they also place candles to light their way home, and soap and water to freshen-up after their long trip. Some display symbols they would understand and gifts are left to communicate to them and let them know that they are always in the hearts of those they left behind, the intent is to encourage visits from the souls.
The Mexicans say that The Dia De Los Muertos ‘is a time of joy because we know that we are surrounded by those that we love-both living and dead.’ I think it’s so uplifting and inspiring to see a ceremony that approaches the death of somebody in a different way, a beautiful and touching way!
So now you know a little more about the tradition it’s time to learn how to do the makeup! You can either watch our first ever YouTube video below, filmed by the wonderful Just Say Yes Films or you can continue reading to see the tutorial photographed step by step!
We’d love your feedback on the video, we’re going to be turning one of our DIY’s into a video every month and if you’d like to keep up then you can subscribe to our channel here!
For this DIY you’ll need:
♥ White face paint ♥ A Sponge ♥ Eye shadow in the colour of your choice ♥ A darker shade of that colour ♥ Black Eyeliner ♥ Emergency Face wipes ♥ Gems ♥ Fake Eyelashes & Glue ♥ Floral Crown (optional) Ours is from Crown & Glory !
Step 1: Cover the face completely in white face paint! Follow it down to the jaw and avoid getting any on the neck.
Step 2: Take the lighter shade of your eye shadow and colour in two large circles around the eyes, you’ll want to go just above the eye brows, follow the jaw line down and stop just above the tip of the nose.
Step 3: Using your darker shade cover the eye lids and underneath your eyes then take your eye liner and colour in the entire nose, you’ll want to stop on the bridge of the nose creating two sharp points.
Step 4: Draw a line from the lips all the way along the cheeks and add two little swirls on the end then repeat on the other side. Next add vertical lines all the way along the lips.
Step 5: To create the spider web start by drawing a straight line down the center of the head then branch off with 2 more lines following the shape of the blue circles then fill in the remaining lines. Next draw the flower on the chin by creating 3 tear drops then colour in using your eye shadow.
Step 6: Glue on your fake eye lashes.
Step 7: The fun part!! Using your eye lash glue stick the gems around your eyes following the shapes of the blue circles.
Step 8: Let that hair down and pop on your floral crown!
You’re done! How fun is this and what an ace look for Halloween this year! Emily didn’t want to take it off and even drove home with her makeup like this! I wouldn’t of liked to have been Mr T when he opened the front door!
Happy Scaring!
Tips for Making Your DIY Day of the Dead Makeup
Now that you’ve got the basics down for creating a stunning look, let’s take your skills to the next level with some extra tips for mastering your DIY Day of the Dead makeup.
1. Invest in Good-Quality Face Paint
Let’s be honest, not all face paints are created equal. Cheap face paint tends to crack, dry out your skin, or smudge easily, especially after a few hours of wear. For a long-lasting and vibrant look, invest in professional-grade face paint. Brands like Mehron or Snazaroo are popular choices and worth the extra cost if you want your DIY Day of the Dead makeup to last through an entire Halloween party or Day of the Dead celebration.
2. Don’t Skip the Primer
Prepping your face is crucial for smooth application. A good primer helps the face paint glide on more easily, creating an even base that prevents streaking and smudging. Plus, it’ll keep your makeup from melting off halfway through the evening—trust me, you don’t want to be the skeleton with a half-melted face!
3. Use a Setting Spray
After you’ve painstakingly applied your makeup, the last thing you want is for it to rub off on everything you touch. Enter setting spray—a quick spritz over your finished look will help lock it all in. For best results, use a spray that’s specifically designed for face paint and makeup, such as Urban Decay’s All-Nighter.
4. Get Creative with Colours
While the traditional Day of the Dead makeup look often features bright blues, reds, and pinks, feel free to experiment with colours that reflect your own personal style. Purple, gold, and even metallic shades can add an unexpected twist to the design. Don’t be afraid to mix and match shades for added depth and creativity.
5. Perfect the Eyes
The eyes are the focal point of your DIY Day of the Dead makeup, so take your time here. Blend your eye shadow well and consider adding a touch of shimmer for a dramatic, glowing effect. You can even layer colours for a more dimensional look. The darker shade around the eyes can be blended out for a softer transition, and the fake eyelashes add an extra pop of glamour.
6. Add Rhinestones or Pearls
If you really want to make your DIY Day of the Dead makeup stand out, adding rhinestones or pearls around the eyes is a brilliant way to enhance the look. You can apply them in symmetrical patterns around the eye sockets, mimicking the shapes of flowers or abstract designs. This will give your makeup a glamorous finish that’ll catch the light perfectly.
7. Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t wait until the day of your event to try out this makeup for the first time. Like any DIY project, a trial run will help you feel more confident and give you the chance to iron out any kinks. It also allows you to experiment with new techniques, colours, or designs that you might not have considered before.
8. Hydrate and Remove Carefully
After a night of wearing all that face paint, your skin will likely feel a bit tired. Make sure to remove everything with a gentle makeup remover and follow up with a hydrating moisturiser. DIY Day of the Dead makeup can be hard on the skin, especially if you’re using heavier products, so give your face some extra TLC afterward.
And there you have it—your ultimate guide to nailing a stunning DIY Day of the Dead makeup look! Whether you’re prepping for a Day of the Dead celebration or a Halloween party, following these tips will ensure that your makeup stays fabulous from dusk till dawn.
Much Bespoke Love
Thank you so much for the tips on ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ . The video was great!
Thank you Shannon!
xxx
fun and easy steps !!!
I know! It looks great and easy….
fun and easy steps!!!
Hi girls, can you please tell me where is the best place to buy all of the make-up needed for this ? If I wanted to get it all from one place. Either online or in a shop. Thanks for your advice.
Hi Marion
Unfortunately this video is now over 3 years old so we would no longer have details on the exact places we bought everything however it was all from the high street, so should be super simple to find.
Sorry we can’t be anymore help.
Emily x