Romantic vampire make-up harks back to horror scenes from original gothic fiction. The many incarnations of Dracula through the ages could be used as a good starting point for romantic vampire make-up inspiration. This look is visually richer than the modern naturalistic film vampire, but lacks the dehumanized starkness of special effects inspired bestial bloodsuckers. While modern literary fiction and films have done much to update the vampire legend, in an exciting and accessible way, there is distinctive horror coziness to the traditional romantic vampire.
Base a romantic vampire make-up around a vintage vampire look but without incorporating the sense of revulsion that was explored with Nosferatu (F.W.Murnau 1922). This make-up is fun to play with; as an involved character design, or simply a look that plays homage to the traditional, seductive and suave vampire.
Classic Romantic Vampire Make-up Features
This romantic vampire is easy and inexpensive to create with beauty make-up staples and maybe just a few extras. Imagination and character design can make endless varieties of classic romantic vampire looks, without the need for expensive specialist items such as vampire special effects contact lenses or facial prosthetics.
Sketch some vampire looks, paying attention to the shading and contouring that will inform the structure of the vampire visage. These sketches can be reproduced on the face using a light foundation and darker powder. Simply use to shade and highlight as you would a light and dark pencil on paper. Classic vampire features include:
- Pale skin
- Dark Hair
- Clean, defined features including dark brows and red lips.
- Chiseled cheek bones and a strong nose.
- Heavy brow.
Make-up Products and Ideas for an Individual Romantic Vampire Look
Unlike most modern film vampires who rely on contact lenses for scares, fangs are central to creating a traditional vampire. In order to keep these from being too animalistic, a simple pair of acrylic fangs for the upper jaw, will suffice. Buy these from any good party or make-up shop. Individual fangs could be used for super-subtle menace.
While men may wish to concentrate on shading and contouring to create pale, aquiline features, women can have fun with make-up color. Creating a bloodless pallor is part of this make-up but it does not have to be sickly or weak looking. Romantic vampire make-up looks attractive rather than unhealthy, as gothic fiction placed female vampires in the seductress role.
- Rich pinks and cranberry lipsticks quote dark, gothic lips but are much more wearable than black or purple.
- A smoky eye contrasts perfectly with a pale face to create the traditional, sexy vampire make-up. Try blending in navy, pewter and plum eye shadows.
- Leaving off cheek color will make anyone look pale, especially if contrasted with slightly heavier eye make-up.
- For a more natural make-up, try patting a red lip stain in to lips to give that just-bitten look.
- Use a liquid or cake liner at the base of the lashes to brighten eyes.
- Make frightful eyes with plum, wine, red and hot pink eye make-up color. Team this with black eye liner and mascara to create a smoky look that has a monstrous blood-like appearance.
- Although romantic vampires make the most of fashion and elegance, those who want to use fake blood could drizzle just a little from the lips or fangs.
Beyond Make-up for Traditional Vampire Romantics
Dressing a traditional vampire look with clothing is easy and, together with make-up, forms a simple costume. Look for clothing that quotes the nineteenth century, harking back to the original gothic novel.
- Traditional, costumes for vampires include dark velvet and opulent jewelry. These perfectly complement a smouldering make-up design.
- A cloak is a must for any fan of Dracula. One lined with red or purple colored satin can be swirled and swept in a dramatic fashion. Use to startling effect with dark brows and chiseled make-up lines.
- As Dracula visited at night-time, sucking the life and energy from his hapless victims, female vampire styles have often been depicted in flowing, white nightgowns. This helps make-up design, as white reflects on to the face making many people look paler.
While modern screen vampires often have the latest salon blow dry, the romantic vampire has slightly old fashioned, flowing locks. This can work well for men or women.
- Wash hair with a gentle shampoo and lightweight conditioner to keep it looking clean and fluffy rather than over styled.
- Blow-dry hair with a paddle brush, to get it straight, without root lift or bounce.
- Use a spray-in color, available from any make-up or party shop, to darken hair.
- Anyone who has a natural peak in the hairline could wear hair slicked back to show off this vampish feature.
- Paint on grey streaks, using a wash-out product such as Ben Nye Hair Color, for further dramatic effect.
- Slick a little light serum over hair to give gloss without hold.
- Men could slick back hair with gel or wear it pulled in to a low pony tail.
- The application of a groomed moustache or facial hair can add to a demonic yet nineteenth century monster.
- Use ceramic hair straighteners to give perfectly straight, flyaway locks or romantic waves, without the need for hair products that look too modern.
Sources
- Dracula; Bram Stoker; first published 1897.
- The Dracula Centenery Book; Peter Haining; Souvenir Press Ltd 1987.
- Buffy vs. Dracula; Sept 2000 USA.
Shefali Choudhury - Writer and visual artist, Suite Beauty topic editor, Shefali spent 10 years in professional makeup artistry from beauty to blood ...
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