Tips: Halloween Starts In August

Halloween Starts In August

It may still seem like it's 100 degrees outside and sunny, but don't be fooled! Halloween starts in August.

The best time to get your costumes for halloween of course, is right after halloween! You will find that with most holidays, the best time to get your costume, gifts or decorations for the following year - is infact, the day after whatever the holiday is.

You will find xmas decorations, halloween, and more discounts almost 80% the day after the holiday. Recently I was in new hampshire and was able to get fireworks up there for half the price- 2 days after the fourth of july! Unfortunately we are headed towards peak halloween season. August is an awesome month to get a jumpstart on everything from advertising to makeup supplies as things start to disappear off the shelves the closer you get to Halloween.

For make-up artists that are diverse in special fx, character design, and body painting as well as beauty, Halloween is the biggest day of the year for us! I personally find myself booked from 8am to midnight with appointments on the day of halloween alone. In addition to being busy, a lot of artists choose to reflect this in their rates. Every Halloween is different for me, some times I am working with the NYC Halloween Parade, After Dark Film Promotions, Private Parties & Appointments, Halloween Attractions, and NYC Night Clubs.
There are sooo many opportunities.

Now is the time to start advertising Halloween Services or beefing up your portfolio with some new looks or faces for the approaching Halloween. Big companies start advertising back to school items and Halloween items in August. Shelves get restocked, Stores get restocked, and everyone is ready for sales. It may seem silly to start getting ready now - but you will have a set schedule, adequate supplies, and will be extremely prepared for Halloween.

I have actually started receiving requests for October and Halloween appointments this week. A lot of Halloween attractions have already started hiring makeup artists for staff jobs and more as well.

Unfortunately, with supply buying you may not know exactly what you will need until you deal with each client on a case by case basis. However, there are old stand bys that are awesome to have and to order in advance.

• Brush Cleaner
• Liquid Latex
• Sponges and Disposable Brushes
• Airbrush Fantasy Makeup
• Backup Airbrush Guns (incase you get a clog and need to proceed)
• Extra airbrush needles/hoses
• Fake Blood or Ingredients to Make Fake Blood
• Waterbased Face Paint if planning to work with children
• A braid of fake hair
• Old Age Makeup Supplies
• Spirit Gum & Spirit Gum Remover
• Rigid Collodion (scar liquid) - disappears in september through october due to the buying volume.

There are a lot of preffered supplies that disappear off shelves the closer we get to halloween. In addition, there are specific brush cleaners that are excellent for fashion shows- and they too disappear off shelves.
My best advice is to get yourself out there and create a plan of attack to maximize your halloween.

Oh and, by the way - Halloween is on a sunday this year! Which means people will be booking your services friday, saturday and sunday. The true halloween lovers will still go out on Halloween Night and you may also pick up some extras on the other nights as well!