Easy Halloween Costumes: Pop Singer Edition
Looking for an easy, inexpensive Halloween costume this year? College Fashion is your one stop shop–we’ll be running lots of articles over the next two weeks talking about costumes, hair, and makeup to perfect your Halloween look.
Today, it’s all about pop stars – channel your inner diva and go as a singer this Halloween! Two singers with iconic styles are Madonna and Gwen Stefani. Both will be instantly recognizable, fun, and easy to do!
The Material Girl: Madonna
Costume:
This lady has had quite the range of looks over her lifetime, so you have tons of costume options if you choose to dress up as Madonna!
If there’s something specific you’re trying to replicate, use Google as your guide. For a more general Madonna look from the past decade, you’ll need to visit an American Apparel. Grab a leotard, fishnets, knee-high (or higher) boots, and an accessory to put it over the top: a satin bomber jacket, a faux-fur vest, tons of chain necklaces, a top hat, or anything that sparkles. I would personally put on some American Apparel hot shorts, to feel a bit less exposed. This look is not for the faint of heart!
Hair:
Her hairstyles vary: anything from glam blowouts to boho waves.
Your weapon of choice is the curling iron – spritz sections of hair with a heat protectant hairspray, then curl according to which look you want to replicate.
If you’re going for her satiny locks with a flip at the bottom, concentrate the iron on the bottom 3-4 inches of hair, holding for about 10-20 seconds per piece.
If you’re going for piecey, curly hair from root to tip, start your curling iron wrapped around the hair at the root, and slowly run the iron down the length of the hair by releasing the clamp every few seconds.
Looking for something more messy? Tousle up the curls with your fingers, and work a little pomade into the roots to get it to look a bit more slept-in. Since you’ll probably be party-hopping and outside for the majority of the evening, hairspray will be your friend.
Get Madonna’s Makeup Look:
4 Simple Steps:
1. Lots of black liquid liner on your upper lid
2. Lash-lengthening mascara (I like Blinc Kiss Me or Imju Fiberwig) and/or false lashes on top and bottom.
3. Either red lipstick or a pink lipstick with a shiny gloss layered on top
4. A light brown brow pencil to define brows, making them longer and winged out at the end.
The Punk Rocker: Gwen Stefani
Costume:
Since Gwen has her own fashion line, you can check out the L.A.M.B. line to get some inspiration.
A typical Gwen outfit would consist of a white muscle shirt, light blue denim (probably skinnies that are cuffed/rolled up to show off some fabulous heels), and a chunky black belt.
Gwen’s signature colors are black and white, so you could also rock a black and white striped shirt. If you aren’t planning on rocking one of her signature gravity-defying hairdos, grab a fedora, too.
Hair:
This woman is on top of all the hair trends! I think that the most “iconic” Gwen hairstyle these days is platinum blonde hair pulled into a ponytail with a huge pouf of volume in the front.
There are two ways to attack this style, which both start the same way: pull all of your hair up into where you want the ponytail to sit, and clip it there with a claw clip. Grab the section you want to poof up.
- Option 1: Take that section, twist it, and then pin it halfway back on your scalp. The twist will create the volume in the front.
- Option 2: Take that section, backcomb it with a volumizing teasing comb (they have uneven teeth, like this one from Ace), and put some spray in it. This is the option to try if you want volume to the sky!
Gently tuck the ends of the teased part back into the rest of your hair, and take the clip out so you can secure your ponytail with a ponytail holder. Give your hair a spritz of shine spray (or even glitter spray), and you’re good to go!
Makeup:
Gwen is famous for her ruby red lips, so break out the brightest lipstick you own. She keeps a very clean face otherwise–no need for blush/bronzer. All you need is a layer of foundation and some seriously heavy black eyeliner on top and bottom and you’re good to go.
What are you wearing for Halloween?
Have you ever dressed up as a celeb for Halloween? Tell us who, and tell us about your favorite costume ever in the comments!
Posted on on October 19, 2009 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Beauty, Celebs, Costumes, Gwen Stefani, Hair, Halloween, Madonna, Makeup, Shopping
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Emily Nield
This year for Halloween I decided Kate Gosselin. I found a wig that was modelled after her hair do, worse some sunglasses, and made some kids out of paper. It was really cheap and fun to do!
Jess
@Emily Nield haha I heard many people(including boys) are dressing like her, I think thats too funny.
Anyways great post.
I was thinking about Lady Gaga. I love her and she has crazy style, you can really do a lot of things for her. I was Gwen Stefani a while back and it was so fun haha. It was also cheap and easy to be her, since her style is so unique.
Anyways I think I am going to be Lady Gaga this year or someone else.
bridget
@emilynield oh boy that will be hilarious!!!!
@jess at my high school, today’s homecoming theme was “move-star monday” & there was a lot of people dressed as lady gaga. i thought it was so cool, because she has a bunch of different sides to her. how cool would it be if you rounded up a bunch of friends and dressed up as a bunch of lady gagas???
Alana @ The Comm Ave Strut
It could be funny to do the whole Madonna cone bra thing haha. I guess you could use birthday hats lol
Anna
My roommate and I are being Katy Perry and Lady Gaga! I’m getting a black wig and a sparkly red and gold dress, then I’m doing fake eyelashes, sparkly shadow, and red lipstick. I’m going to carry a fan made of playing cards. My roommate is wearing a blonde wig, sunglasses, and a black mini dress over a leotard and tights. She looks JUST like Lady Gaga when she puts it on!
Ashley
Snow White!
Carrie
haha i love all the ideas. I have two costumes like typical beer girl from like germany and then a ghostbuster… mainly i think i am going to be the ghostbuster cause the outfit is adorable and i have the hat which i will so be wearing around campus even after halloween.
Julia
i’m being Where’s Waldo.
:D
la petite fashionista
these are great ideas and easily do-able with what you have in your closet :) i went as rachel zoe to a costume party last year:)
Jess
@bridget That sounds like such a good idea. The sad and funny thing most of my friends are guys, lol, I can just see them in blond wigs and no pants. Too funny
Cara
How funny! I had actually just considered this weekend going as Madonna in her Material Girl video…I saw a great wig (my hair is long, straight, brown, and completely 80’s volume-less) and the pink opera gloves at the costume shop…now all I need is a good dress and jewelry. I’m thinking thrift stores. Then when anyone asks who I am, I can sing the song!
Kristen
I’m going to be the tooth fairy! I was the tooth fairy when I was 5 or 6, but that was 17 years ago. I’m using a white dress I wore to my sorority formal last year. I’m going to buy white, silver, or light pink wings. I want to find nylons with sparkles in them like that outfit Britney Spears wore for one of her concerts. My mom is going to help me make a tooth wand out of balsa wood.
I’m not sure what shoes I’m going to wear yet. I’ll probably wear silver ballet flats. I want to do my hair half up with some braids or twists.
I’m really excited about it! I don’t even have any definite plans for Halloween yet, but I better find something good!
Mani
I think I’m just going to do something cheap this year and be a kitty :) just buy a cute tight dress and get some ears. That, or I might be a 50s girl if I go to the right party. If I go downtown I want to wear something hot!
theothersemishopaholic
This year, I’m going as Barbie. Despite her totally unrealistic body, I totally love her girlie style and pinkness! I played with Barbie since I was six, so it’s about time I dressed up as her too (:
Tatiana
I want to be a doll for halloween, but I don’t know what dress to wear. I know curly hair with a bow, knee high socks and mary janes, but the dress has got me stuck.
Tara
I have a blank face mask I’m going to paint to look like a creepy porcelain doll. Then going to the thrift store to find a white or light pink lace/frilly dress, and a black wig with sharp bangs.
Jill
Ah i wanted to be the tooth fairy so bad, well, that or a sunflower. However, I am now going as a circus ringleader. I found a tuxedo jacket, and I’m wearing a button up shirt with a bow tie, making a top hat, buying a “whip”, white gloves, and drawing on a fake mustache with black pants tucked into my black faux riding boots. I love Halloween.
Madeleine
I dressed up as Marilyn Monroe two Halloweens ago. But my favorite costume ever was when I was Spongebob because I made it out of a cardboard box and painted it to look like Spongebob and it actually looked pretty good. I got a lot of compliments on it :)
madison
i am a bumble bee for halloween like on your homepage.
georgienyc
madonna is a classic. here are some other ideas for last minute options!!
http://www.what2wearwhere.com/blog/category/Halloween.aspx