Choose a design you can comfortably make
Before buying colors for a party, sketch a simple version of your character. Pick the detail that makes it recognizable: freckles, a colored line or a decorated cheek. You can use fewer products without losing the idea, and leave yourself time to try the design without rushing.
The FDA recommends using only materials intended for skin and following the application areas stated on the packaging. Craft paint does not become a cosmetic because its color looks perfect. Keep the original directions beside your mirror before you start working on the design.
Check the area as well as the color
The FDA explains that cosmetic color additives have specific permitted uses in the United States. Permission for one area does not mean a color belongs everywhere. Those U.S. requirements do not replace the rules in the country where you buy the product.
If your reference picture places a design near the eyes, check your chosen cosmetic first. Move or simplify the design if the label excludes that area. An inspiration photo can guide the style, but it cannot supply the directions for the product in your hand.
Prepare for taking it off
Read how to remove each formula before leaving home. The FDA advises removing this makeup before sleeping and following the manufacturer’s removal instructions. Do not assume every color comes off with the same cleanser or the same method simply because it was applied together.
Put everything you need somewhere easy to find when you return, and keep the packaging identifiable. If friends are preparing costumes together, each person can keep a list of their own products. A useful plan covers finishing the evening as well as getting the look started.
Sources and further reading
Evergreen editorial guide published on October 24, 2026, with sources checked on that date. Not breaking news or personalized advice. The image is illustrative.
