Bing’s Halloween Shop Provides “Do It Yourself” Costume Tips

By Mary Hall | October 17, 2011

Halloween is in just a few weeks, so it’s that time again. Some of us are preparing our own Halloween looks, or helping kids put their look together. Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays by children, as well as more than a few adult chidlren. Everyone wants to have a great costume, whether a scary one or a fashionable one.

According to a recent survey hosted by Bing (the search engine), 43% of respondents are all about “Do It Yourself” DIY costumers this year. According to the survey, nearly 40 percent of respondents indicated they are abandoning store-bought outfits for a DIY costume, with 43 percent of survey respondents believing that purchasing a Halloween costume you’ll wear for one night is too expensive (nearly a fourfold increase over last year’s 12 percent). In fact, many people are ditching intricate costumes and embracing more “everyman” costumes this year, with Kate Middleton topping the list of celebrity costume picks for women at 47 percent and Edward Cullen ( a vampire from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series) topping the list for men at 35 percent.

To help adults and teens get the celeb the look, Bing has teamed up with celebrity stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, best known for their work with fashion gurus Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Will and Jada Smith, to share their insight on www.BingHalloween.com into looks that fit every type of budget, fashion sense and DIY (Do it Yourself) skill level.
Here are some of their tips that may leave a lasting impression with your friends:

Dress like a rock star. Some of our favorite costumes are inspired from what stars wear on stage. One way to really impress everyone at your Halloween party is to find the most classic identifiable look from your favorite artist’s performance or music video and break down the look. Everyone wants to party like a rock star, and now you can actually look the part.
Makeup cures all. Makeup and hair styling are a great way to create a fun and easy costume. If you’re able to master the makeup, the rest of the costume is sure to fall in line. Signature looks of classic rock stars are always fan favorites. Think full- face make up ala KISS Gene Simmons, plus a simple black Tee.
Reality TV time. When in doubt, go as a reality TV stars. Love them or hate them, some reality stars have become just as recognizable as movie and rock stars. Please don’t try the kids from Jersey Shore, but think about your favorite Real Housewife for any easy costume from your closet. In many cases, you can impersonate a reality star with minimal expense.

For additional tips and tricks from Zangardi and Haenn and Halloween inspiration, visit http://www.BingHalloween.com. And if you are buying a costume, check out your local Goodwill. They have a lot of great costumes, some vintage, some barely worn.