Corpse Bride

Okay, fellow spooky season lovers and Tim Burton fans! I've always been obsessed with the Corpse Bride, Emily, and her iconic look. This year, I decided it was finally time to try my hand at recreating her hauntingly beautiful makeup. Trust me, it's easier than you think to get that ethereal, undead glow, and I'm here to share all my secrets and what I learned along the way! First things first, the base! Emily's signature pale blue/grey skin is key. I found that mixing a light blue cream makeup with a bit of white and a tiny touch of grey foundation gave me the perfect shade. Apply it generously all over your face, neck, and any exposed skin. Don't forget your ears! I used a damp beauty sponge for an even, streak-free finish. Set it all with a translucent powder, or even a light blue eyeshadow, to prevent creasing and help it last all night. This is where you really start to feel like 'ME AS THE CORPSE BRIDE'! Next up are those mesmerizing, expressive eyes. This is probably my favorite part! Emily has huge, doleful eyes, so the trick is to extend your natural eye shape. Start with a white or very light blue eyeshadow all over your lid, going slightly above your natural crease. Then, take a dark blue or purple eyeshadow and create a new, exaggerated crease line much higher than your own. Blend it out softly to create depth. For the lower lash line, use a dark blue or black liner to draw a line significantly below your actual lash line, creating the illusion of larger eyes. Fill in the gap between your real lash line and the drawn one with white eyeliner or shadow. Finish with dramatic false eyelashes – the longer and thicker, the better! Don't forget to draw on thin, arched eyebrows high above your natural ones using a black or dark brown pencil. Now for the contour and details. Emily's face is quite gaunt, so we want to emphasize that. Using a dark grey or even a muted purple eyeshadow, lightly contour your cheekbones, jawline, and temples. Blend it well to avoid harsh lines. You can also add some subtle dark circles under your eyes with a light grey or brown shadow for that truly undead look. For her lips, Emily has a very small, dark, almost heart-shaped mouth. Use a dark red or burgundy lipstick, and very carefully draw a smaller lip shape than your natural one. You can use a concealer to 'erase' the edges of your natural lips outside the drawn shape. Finally, don't forget the little touches! A white veil, some delicate dead flowers in your hair (or a wig!), and maybe a little bone accessory can truly bring the whole Corpse Bride ensemble together. What I learned from my own ride (as in, the journey of this makeup transformation) is that practice makes perfect. The first time might not be exactly what you envisioned, but keep playing with the colors and shapes. Don't be afraid to COPE with a few mistakes; that's part of the fun! A good setting spray is your best friend to ensure your hard work stays put. This look is perfect for Halloween parties, cosplay events, or just if you want to channel your inner beautiful ghost. Good luck, and have fun getting your ghoul on!