Halloween has a habit of creeping up. One minute it's the beginning of September and then Halloween is here and many people find themselves scrambling to come up with the perfect costume and the right makeup. Before you put your Halloween costume on, think about preparations and get started.

Before you put your Halloween costume on, start planning ahead of time and make sure to take your time. There are a lot of topical costume ideas that appear in the last few months of summer and the first months of fall. In 2008 for example, Sarah Palin costumes were hot since the politician was running for vice-president. The more time you take to prepare, the better your costume will look and the more authentic it will be.

Once you have a good idea in mind, start working on a plan or concept for the makeup. Many people try out the makeup ahead of time and work on a few different ideas before they find a plan they want to stick to on the big night. There are also a number of websites that offer tips and step by step instructions on doing makeup for specific costumes like a zombie, vampire and even Hannah Montana and other popular characters.

When it comes to makeup, always make sure to do it before the costume goes on, but wear clothing that's easy to remove like an oversized button up shirt. Pull back the hair to get it out of the way, especially if the hair has a habit of falling in your face or getting in the way. Getting makeup in your hair can be a pain, but it's also a problem if the hair ruins the makeup. As for the oversized shirt, it can be removed without having to pull it over your head, which will stop it from smudging the makeup.

Before you head out of the house, make sure to look over your makeup and costume from different angles and in different lights. That green zombie face that looks bright green under the fluorescent bathroom lights might look yellowish in natural light. Colors change frequently depending on the type of light they're under and this step helps you make sure you look exactly right. It will also help you find any areas that are missing coverage.

Those wearing a costume will also want to check out their reflection in different mirrors to get the overall effect of their costume. This helps them identify any areas of their costume that might be damaged or missing. They can also prevent any small mishaps such as a lighter costume that looks see through or transparent in natural light.

Check out these resources to learn more about planning and preparing a Halloween costume.

How to Pick a Halloween Costume

How to Pick the Perfect Halloween Costume

Halloween Costumes

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Scary Makeup 101