Halloween Beauty Tutorial: Cleopatra, The Last Pharaoh
Yahoo Beauty Editor dressed up as Cleopatra for Halloween. (Photo: Ben Ritter / Makeup: Gina Bettelli for MAC / Hair: Nathan Rosenkranz using Alterna Hair Care at Honey Artists)
I’m not a big Halloween person, I don’t love wearing a lot of makeup, and I feel most comfortable in my jeans and a t-shirt. But when the opportunity arose to take part in a Halloween themed beauty shoot with our team and MAC, I almost fainted. Well, not really, but I was excited. Some girls on our team knew right away what they wanted to be — I did not. I knew old Hollywood for sure, because that’s the closest to my personality. When I started thinking and researching ideas it immediately dawned on me: Liz Taylor as Cleopatra! Taylor as Cleo might be the original and baddest bitch of all time look. As the last active Pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, Cleopatra clearly had a bad gal side, but also a lot of confidence, wit, and sexiness.
Being paired with MAC Senior Artist Gina Bettelli was a dream. A fellow Italiana, she understood where this was going from the start and executed the look like a BOSS. When it comes to Cleopatra, her ultimate accessories are her eyes! Mysterious, dark and unpredictable, but paired with perfectly symmetrical eye makeup. Caution: This is not a look to casually test out, it’s delicate and time consuming and requires attention to complete on your own at home!
EYES & BROWS
Considering the precision and planning needed for this look, Bettelli started by creating a high arch and darkening my brows with MAC Kohl Eye Shadow in Smolder ($17) using a MAC 266 Small Angle Brush ($20). Mapping out where your brow tails and liner are going to ultimately connect is a must.
For the cyan blue shadow Bettelli mixed a MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Clearwater ($22) with MAC Chromaline Hi-Def Cyan ($20), which was buffed from lid to brow using a tapered blending brush. She highlighted the inner corner of the eye with a blending brush and MAC Eye Shadow in Gesso ($16).
Now this is where you really need to pay attention — liner is up. Firstly, for the upper line you must start the line in the center of the under eye by holding the angle brush parallel to the brows. The lower waterline was lined with MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating ($17) to give the appearance of larger eyes. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack ($17) was also wrapped under the eyes and drawn into a geometric shape that met the brow tail using another angled brush. Keep in mind that eyeliner on the lower lid should be straight and totally symmetrical. On the top lash line Bettelli used MAC Creme Liner in Black ($17) and MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ ($22) (a soothing mist) with a MAC 210 Precise Eyeliner Brush ($20) on top of the Fluidline for a rich inky black color. Make sure to connect the inner corner liner with the top lash line to the lower lash line to close the bridge of the nose.
Mascara is not the hero in this look as in most others, but used to make the top and bottom lash roots look jet black. Final eye tip: Use your small angled brush with MAC wipes to sharpen edges like an eraser. Stand back from the mirror to gain perspective and ensure balance and symmetry of the eyes.
SKIN
For flawless, starlit skin Bettelli used MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation ($33) for full and matte coverage and set it with MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation ($27). Since I’m not an exact Liz Taylor replica, she sculpted cheeks with MAC Powder Blush in Taupe ($17) giving a beautiful pop and MAC Sculpting Powder Pro Palette in Bone Beige ($17). The center of the face was highlighted with MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Light Boost ($26) in a triangle shape.
LIPS
Cleopatra’s look is all about eyes, so Bettelli went with a matte, peach lip. Use a MAC 242 Shader Brush ($25) if needed and apply peach toned lipstick. Make sure to add balm to lips right at the start so they are nice and smooth for the finished look.
HAIR
This was arguably the easy part to the look. A short raven black wig was brought by stylist Nate Rosenkranz and sheared into short tight bangs and pinned straight to avoid curling at the bottoms. The headpiece is then placed on top to complete the look. Of course, resting bitch face is also required!
Related:
Halloween Beauty Tutorial: Jem is Truly Outrageous
