Three Very Easy (And Very Timely) Halloween Costumes

by Jenna Rosenstein



UK Press Via Getty Images; Allure
UK Press Via Getty Images; Allure

Looking for a kickass costume idea that you can pull together on your way from the office to the Halloween party? We came up with three clever concepts only slightly more complicated than popping in a pair of plastic vampire teeth.

Kate Middleton with Baby George (left)
I'll admit it: I had royal baby fever. If you did, too, consider Kate's hospital exodus look; it's equal parts iconic and easy to put together.

Step one: Give yourself a killer blowout.*

Step two: Keep your makeup natural, but go a little heavy on the blush and undereye liner and don't forget to define your brows.

Step three: Put on a blue dress (as close to periwinkle as possible; bonus points for polka dots) and find yourself a white blanket and a baby (fake is probably best for party-hopping).

Step four: Whatever you do, don't suck it in. (A major bonus of this costume.)

*Need pointers? Hairstylist Bridget Brager gave us a crash course: Coat your roots with a volumizer (like Kérastase Lift Vertige), then separate your hair into small sections and blow them straight with a round boar bristle brush. Direct your hair toward the front of your head while drying before flipping it back with your brush. If you want to get really fancy, let your still-warm hair cool in two-inch Velcro rollers for extra volume and bounce. Too much effort? Make an appointment for a professional blowout and justify the expense as part of your deep commitment to Halloween authenticity.

MANDATORY ACCESSORIES: blue dress, blanket, baby doll

See more:Celebrity Hairstyles That Will Make You Look 10 Years Younger

Steve Eichner/WWD; Allure
Steve Eichner/WWD; Allure

Alber Elbaz
If, like me, you've already run the gamut on fashion-insider Halloween costumes (Terry Richardson was, like, so two years ago) then this one's for you. Why not be bow-tie aficionado, creator of all things beautiful at Lanvin, and living cartoon character Alber Elbaz?

To slick your hair off your face, begin by blowdrying it back for a few seconds. Then grab a strong hold gel (we like Kiehl's Stylist Series Strong-Hold Styling Gel) and run it through the top of your hair, flattening down flyaways along the hairline. Secure your hair into a low ponytail with an elastic and, if it's really long, pin it into a bun. Pop on glasses and a bowtie. Fini!

MANDATORY ACCESSORIES: white button-down shirt, black suit, bowtie, black frame glasses

See more:10 Fresh Hair Ideas for Fall

Getty Images
Getty Images

Cara Delevingne
Oh, Cara. We love you when you're giving serious face in editorials, and we love you when you're wearing a "trapstar" beanie and flipping off the cameras. You might think it's impossible to pull off a supermodel costume when you, um, aren't one, but I promise a Cara get-up is totally doable. Get your tongues ready!

If you have dark or short hair, pick up a blonde wig from your local costume superstore, or borrow a friend's hair extensions (like I did, above). You'll be wearing a hat, so don't fret too much about untucked hairs. Prep your skin with an illuminating foundation (we love YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat), and apply a bit of blush, black eyeliner, and lots of mascara. Truly, the only part of the costume that matters is the eyebrows. I used Benefit's Gimme Brow to brush over my natural brow line, adding weight on top and toward my nose. The larger and more square, the better. Brush through your brows with a spoolie brush to finish the look and remove any excess pigment. You're now ready for your close-up.

MANDATORY ACCESSORIES: beanie or fitted cap, blonde wig, major brows, funny face

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