Planning the perfect Halloween costume can feel almost as extensive as preparing for your wedding. Even the tiniest detail can make a world of a difference, transforming your ensemble from “common and cute” to “insanely unforgettable.” Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to devote days (or weeks) to planning the perfect party attire. Luckily, there are a few costumes that require minimal prep work; all you need is a good head of hair--or just some trusty hair extensions or a wig! Check out three foolproof looks guaranteed to get you noticed at any Halloween soiree.
The Look: Elsa
What girl doesn’t want to dress up like a Disney princess, especially the one with the best hair? Even though the iconic film “Frozen” came out nearly six years ago, the main character Elsa remains one of the most recognizable cartoon characters of all time, namely for her icy blonde braid.
The Hair: If you’ve been blessed with pale blonde strands (either naturally or by your colorist’s hands), simply apply a few clip-in extensions for thickness and length, then apply hairspray to your crown and gently tease the roots to add volume. Next, create a French braid, starting at the back of your head, then tossing it to one side. Secure the hair with a clear elastic, then gently pull the braid apart and finish with hairspray. If you have darker hair, purchase an icy blonde wig and create Elsa’s signature braid using the steps above, or, take it one step further and order a wig with a braid already in it.
The Outfit: For your ensemble, opt for an icy blue maxi dress and a shimmery floor-length cape.
The Makeup: Opt for a frosty blue eyeshadow and a glittery lip gloss.
The Look: Unicorn
Are you a major fan of all things pastel and sparkly? A unicorn costume may be a no-brainer for you this Halloween. The best part? No awkward unicorn headpiece is required! All you need is your locks and tons of glitter!
The Hair: Creating the signature unicorn horn using your own hair is almost as easy as crafting a messy bun. Begin by creating a small section at the top of your head, then gather it into a tight ponytail and secure it with a clear hair elastic. Next, twist the hair around the base of the ponytail in a bun-like shape and secure the top with bobby pins. Then, create the “horn” by wrapping the tail of the pony around the bun, using bobby pins and hairspray to hold the hair in place. Use your fingers to achieve the desired height of the “horn,” then pin it in place and use hairspray to smooth down any flyaways. (To add even more hold, twist one end of your bobby pin into a hook shape to help you secure the height.) Once the “horn” has been created, pull the rest of the hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic. Tease the ends of the ponytail and apply temporary color spray to transform your hair into a dreamy unicorn mane.
The Outfit: Pastel pieces are guaranteed to be your BFF when it comes to creating this costume. Throw on a white bodysuit, a multicolored tutu and sparkly heels or tall white furry boots.
The Makeup: Nothing says unicorn more than a colorful shimmery eyeshadow and tons of embellishments. Pile on the glitter and the highlighter, paint iridescent rainbow streaks on your cheeks or sport a sparkly purple lipstick—with this costume, just about anything goes!
The Look: Rosie The Riveter
Have zero time to brainstorm an outfit? Make your life easy by dressing up as one of the most empowering figures in US history: Rosie the Riveter. Though the character was fictional, she served as a symbol for women in the workforce during the 1940s and has since become an icon for female empowerment. The best part? The costume can be recreated in a matter of minutes using items you already have in your closet.
The Hair: Begin by sectioning off your bangs, then use a 1-inch curling iron to curl the front pieces, making sure to curl the hair inward toward the face. Allow the hair to cool, then gently tease the roots and flip the hair to one side. Pull the hair up toward the sky, then wrap the hair around 1 to 2 of your fingers (depending on your hair thickness), to create a pin-up curl. Once the curl has been shaped, pin the curl into place and finish with hairspray. Curl the rest of the hair and allow it to cool, then pin each curl on top of the head, using bobby pins to secure the hair in place. Finally, tie a red bandana around your hair, making sure the ends of the bandana are at the top of your head to achieve that iconic “Rosie” look.
The Outfit: If you happen to have a long sleeve denim romper or jumpsuit in your closet, now would be the time to whip it out! Otherwise, throw on a chambray button-up with a pair of denim shorts or jeans.
The Makeup: Look to the ’40s for your beauty inspiration. Think: a matte red lip, a muted brown eyeshadow and a slick cat-eye.
