Celebrity inspired costumes

Enlarge Image 

Kate Gosselin (CP)

Enlarge Image 

Michael Jackson wig costume. (AIGNER PRENSKY MARKETING GROUP)

Enlarge Image 

Farrah Fawcett (CP)

Don't be surprised to find yourself partying with Kate Gosselins, Brunos and a handful of dead celebrities this Halloween.

Easy-to-make and easy-to-fake, celebrity-inspired looks are a fun and economical way to get your spook on.

They often involve simply raiding a closet (yours or a friend's) and adding the requisite touches -- like a white glove or horn-rimmed glasses or an upside-down mullet wig.

"You can be as creative as you want to be," said Marcela Stancu of Vancouver's The Party Bazaar, adding pop culture always impacts people's costume choices.

Before you decide on who to copy, take inventory of what you've already got and your personal attributes. (For instance, if you happen to have a closet full of spandex unitards and a gym-toned physique, faking someone like Madonna or Beyoncé won't be that hard.)

You can do a lot with ordinary makeup too. Eyeliner can make brows look bushy and create facial hair, moles, wrinkles or tattoos; lipstick works to exaggerate a mouth or cheeks or create a sunburn; and mascara or false eyelashes make a big impact with little fuss.

Senior makeup artist for M-A-C Cosmetics Keri Blair says to look at what you've already got in your makeup bag -- then colour outside the lines. Have fun.

"I think (Halloween) is really the opportunity to let your freak flag fly," said Blair, speaking from New York.

Kate Gosselin:

This one's really about a short-on-top-long-in-front cropped hairdo combined with some seriously caked-on bronzer. Easy to do and sure to inspire plenty of guffaws.

Must: Her hair.

We love the Eight Is Too Much wig from buycostumes.com. But you can also buy (or borrow) a short wig and chop it/mousse it into shape.

Optional: A leisure suit and a scowl; a friend dressed as ex-hubby, Jon.

Michael Jackson:

There's so many ways to mimic the late pop king, depending on the era, depending on the album. Spend some time online to make a good Man in the Mirror or Billie Jean.

Must: Again, the hair is key. So are iconic accessories, like gloves and sunglasses.

Optional: Moonwalking your way to the party or howling at the moon as you lead a gang of zombies through a choreographed dance routine; portable ghetto blaster playing Thriller.

Bruno:

Taking on Sacha Baron Cohen's latest incarnation requires showing a little skin. Or at the very least, alluding to it.

Must: A willingness to bare your bits. And spandex. As much as you can find. We recommend heading to American Apparel for some shiny, metallic leggings ($52) or borrowing a pair from your hipster friend.

Add a body-hugging, navel-baring top and you'll be off to a good start. (And ready for '80s night too.)

Optional: A ready-to-flaunt photo of Bruno's adopted son, OJ; a bad accent (go to meinspace.com for inspiration) and a microphone (make your own with a marker and a toilet paper roll.)

Farrah Fawcett:

Commemorating the late bombshell offers up a chance to raid your closet for '70s inspired tops, and an excuse to invest in a better blow-dryer.

It's also a chance to channel your inner beach goddess without seeming cheesy.

Must: A solid take on her iconic '70s flip and a spray tan.

Optional: Charlie's Angels' references (like a toy gun or water pistol;) a hair brush in your backpocket for impromptu feathering.

-- Canwest News Service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 27, 2009 D1