One of the scariest and most popular costumes for Halloween or masquerade parties is the vampire one. To create an authentic look, you need to wear dark but sophisticated clothing, use creepy makeup, and get yourself some vampire accessories. Fortunately, you can make many of the costume pieces with items you already own. If you know what to look for, dressing up as a vampire will be fun and easy!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing Vampire Clothes
Step 1. Wear a black suit with a red vest for a sophisticated look
When Dracula was presented on stage and on the big screen for the first time, he wore a tuxedo or suit, in order to convey his intelligence and elegance. You can buy a new suit or wear one you already own. If you can't find a red vest, look for a cape of the same color.
Look for a white shirt with lace on the front for an even more gothic look
Step 2. Put on black pants
They will perfectly match your suit or tuxedo. Black pants and suit is the look that Dracula had on his big screen debut.
Step 3. Buy a black or red dress for an alluring look
Traditional vampire clothing is long and usually reaches the ankle. They typically have a lot of lace parts and are balloon-like at the bottom. You can wear a black dress you already own or buy a new one.
Step 4. Wear black shoes
When deciding which footwear to wear, consider dress shoes or high heels to complete your vampire look. If you don't have dress shoes, black sneakers will work too.
Step 5. Purchase or make a cape
A black or red cloak is a vampire's most recognizable garment. Try to find a cape with a large collar. If you don't want to spend money on one, you can wrap a dark blanket or sheet around your shoulders and pin it on.
Make sure the cloak doesn't crawl on the ground or you could trip over it
Part 2 of 3: Applying the Vampire Makeup
Step 1. Apply a coat of light foundation to your face
Buy a light foundation and put it on your chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. Use a make-up sponge to distribute it evenly over the skin. Apply it in a single layer all over your face. You should now have a much paler complexion than before.
If you want to look really pale, you can purchase a white face paint on the internet or at a costume shop. Apply it as you would for foundation
Step 2. Put on a matte red lipstick
Apply it evenly on your upper and lower lips. You can use a lip liner that is darker than the lipstick to make your lips stand out even more. With red lips it will look like you just drank some blood.
Use a makeup brush to apply foundation around your lips and make the lipstick contour perfectly even
Step 3. Apply the eyeshadow to your eyes
Use a flat makeup brush or sponge to apply a layer of red or purple eyeshadow over the eye and on the eyelid, making sure to cover the entire area under the eyebrow. Continue around the eye with a lighter shade to create a ring around the eye. Finally, take a black eyeshadow and apply it over the eyelid and under the eye, mixing it with the lighter makeup. This way you will create a creepy look that draws attention to your eyes.
For a less intense look, you can outline your eyes with black eyeliner instead of using eyeshadow
Step 4. Run fake blood down the sides of the lips
Purchase fake blood at a costume shop or online. Squeeze the tube onto a cotton ball and apply the blood next to your lips. Keep adding it until it looks like you've just sucked blood from a poor victim.
Step 5. Add veins to the face with the red face paint
Take a brush dipped in red face paint and draw irregular lines from the bottom of the eye to the cheekbone. Make sure the lines are thin and try to draw them as veins. This step isn't necessary, but it makes your makeup even more creepy.
Step 6. Style your hair back with gel if you have it short
Usually, male vampires keep their hair back. Pour some gel on your hands and pull your hair back. To finish the hairstyle, run a comb through your hair.
Part 3 of 3: Wearing Vampire Accessories
Step 1. Put vampire fangs in your mouth
You can buy them on the internet or in costume shops. You can choose inexpensive plastic teeth or you can spend more on moldable fangs. Make sure they fit your teeth well so the costume doesn't bother you.
If you've decided to use moldable fangs or fake prosthetics, be sure to read the instructions so you don't lose them while wearing them
Step 2. Consider getting colored contact lenses
If you want to really make your eyes stand out, you can buy contact lenses in various colors on the internet or in costume shops. The red and white lenses give you a true vampire look. Buy them and put them on after you put your makeup on.
- Remember to lubricate your eyes with eye drops before putting on contact lenses.
- If your eyes hurt, remove your lenses.
Step 3. Put on a traditional cylinder
The cylinder gives your look a more classic and gothic look. Look for one at costume shops, hat shops, or on the internet.
Bram Stoker's Dracula wore a top hat in the 1992 film
Step 4. Wear fancy jewelry
Vampires are known for wearing gold and metal jewelry. Make sure they don't have any religious symbols. Instead, look for necklaces and bracelets with large gemstones or pagan symbols. Big flashy jewelry will make you look like a Victorian-era vampire.
