Creating a spooky Corpse Bride costume look is a fantastic idea for Halloween or any costume party. The Corpse Bride character, originally brought to life in Tim Burton’s animated film, is eerie, haunting, and captivating. To achieve this look, you will need a few key elements such as makeup, hair, and costume.
Step 1: Preparing Your Skin
Before beginning the makeup application, it’s important to cleanse and moisturize your face thoroughly. This step ensures that your skin is hydrated and ready for the makeup products. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt or oil from your face, followed by a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Allow the moisturizer to absorb fully before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Creating a Pale Base
The Corpse Bride is known for her pale and lifeless appearance. To achieve this, start by applying a white or pale foundation all over your face and neck. Use a sponge or foundation brush to blend the product evenly, ensuring there are no visible streaks. You can also extend the foundation down your chest if you plan on exposing that area with your costume.
Step 3: Enhancing the Eyes
The eyes are a crucial part of the Corpse Bride’s look – they are deep, dark, and haunting. Begin by applying a light blue or gray eyeshadow all over your eyelids and up to your brow bone. Then, with a darker blue or black eyeshadow, create a smoky effect by blending it into the crease and extending it slightly beyond the outer corners of your eyes. This will create a hollow and sunken appearance, giving your eyes that signature Corpse Bride look.
Next, line your upper and lower waterline with a black eyeliner pencil. Extend the liner slightly beyond the outer corners of your eyes to create a winged effect. To make the eyes appear even more sunken, use a black eyeshadow or eyeliner to smudge along your lower lash line. This will give the illusion of dark circles under your eyes.
Finally, apply several coats of black mascara to both your upper and lower lashes. If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding a pair of false lashes to enhance the drama and intensity of your eyes.
Step 4: Achieving a Gaunt Look
To create a gaunt appearance, contour your face using a cool-toned bronzer or gray eyeshadow. Apply the product along the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline. Blend it well to create natural-looking shadows and depth. This step will help further accentuate the sunken and skeletal features of the Corpse Bride.
Step 5: Drawing Stitched Lips
The Corpse Bride is known for her stitched lips, adding an extra eerie touch to her look. Begin by outlining your lips with a black lip liner, extending the lines slightly beyond your natural lip shape. Fill in your lips with a black or dark gray lipstick, staying within the lines created by the lip liner.
Using a white or light gray eyeliner pencil, draw vertical lines across your lips to create the appearance of stitches. Ensure that the lines are slightly jagged and uneven to add a worn and distressed effect. For added authenticity, smudge the stitches slightly to give them a faded and aged appearance.
Step 6: Creating a Ghostly Glow
To enhance the overall ghostly effect, apply a highlighting powder or a white eyeshadow to the high points of your face. This includes the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your brow bone. The highlighter will give your face an ethereal glow, making you appear more otherworldly.
Step 7: Styling the Hair
The Corpse Bride’s hair is long, flowing, and has a distinctive blue hue. If you don’t have naturally blue hair, you can use temporary hair dye or hair chalks to achieve the desired color. Alternatively, you can wear a blue wig to easily achieve the look without the commitment.
Once you have the desired color, style your hair in loose waves or curls to mimic the Corpse Bride’s elegant and romantic hairstyle. Part your hair in the center and allow a few strands to frame your face. You can also add hair accessories such as flowers or a tiara to complete the look.
Step 8: Choosing the Right Costume
To fully embody the Corpse Bride, it’s essential to choose the right costume. Look for a wedding dress that has a vintage, Victorian-inspired design. The dress should be tattered, torn, and have a ghostly appearance. If you can find a dress with a blue or gray tint, that will add an extra touch of authenticity to your look.
