A Clockwork Orange Hallowe'en FOTD

I love Hallowe'en. It's always a bit of a challenge to come up with a costume and to get all the components together for it, but it's so much fun to play dress-up even for just a few hours. 

This year I attended a 'Heroes and Villains'-themed party. My costume was inspired by the 1971 movie A Clockwork Orange and specifically, the character of Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell).

The film tells the story of teenage Alex and his "droogs" (friends) in a future version of Britain. They wear all white, with braces, codpieces, black bowler hats and black boots. Each of the boys wear an item of makeup and Alex wears false eyelashes on his right eye, top and bottom. 

The film, based on the novel by Anthony Burgess has become a cult classic. It was written, produced and directed by the legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and won a number of accolades including four Academy Award nominations.

It's been one of my favourite films for a long time and it's a cool costume for Hallowe'en. Finding an all-white outfit after Labour Day was not easy, and I didn't end up wearing the codpiece or the suspenders but otherwise, I think I nailed it. 

The make-up was a bit of a challenge as well. In creating a female version of a male look was tough. I wanted to feminize the look as I wasn't trying to look like a man. I wanted to be a female version of Alex DeLarge. 

Here's how I achieved it.

I wanted to keep my skin looking fairly natural, so I applied concealer and powder where I needed it, as well as primer where needed to keep my look in place as long as possible.

Products used:

• Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer
• Bare Escentuals SPF 15 Foundation and Mineral Veil
• MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer
• Vasanti Liquid Cover

For the eyes, I used MAC's Tundra Shadestick all over both eyes, blended into the crease and slightly onto the browbone. I traced a line under my eyes as well.

MAC Shadestick in Tundra

With MAC Shadestick in Tundra

On top of that, I applied MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Family Silver to brighten the silvery effect.

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Family Silver

With MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Family Silver

Next comes the lashes! I used MAC #7 lashes, both on my right eye. First I curled my lashes to provide a base for the falsies. 

*Note: these are MAC's best-selling lashes and they're awesome. They work well as bottom lash lashes as well as regular lashes. 

MAC #7 Lashes and Duo Adhesive

With MAC #7 lower lash applied

With MAC #7 top and bottom lashes applied.

With MAC #7 lashes applied on the right eye.

To further dramatize my right eye, I lined my water line with black eyeliner.

With black liner on my right eye waterline.

Next, mascara on both eyes. My lases are quite fair, so even though the falsies are so dramatic, I wanted to make sure my light lashes didn't take away from the look at all. I applied the darkest mascara I own, a sample size of Diorshow Black Out.

Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara

With mascara applied to both eyes. 

To finish the look, I applied MAC Strada blush as cheek contour (below my cheekbones) and slightly onto the apples of my cheeks. I wanted my lips to be subtle and natural but slightly emphasized so I used Smashbox lipliner in Smashing Muse and Becca Cosmetics lipstick in Estella. I also brushed my eyebrows up for a somewhat rougher look and used clear mascara to keep them in place.

MAC Strada blush

Smashbox Sheer Lipliner in Smashing Muse

Becca Cosmetics Lipstick in Estella

Side view of the finished look.

In character!

The silver on my eyes is subtle enough yet gives the look a shine and futuristic feel as well as feminizing the look. It also ties my version to the 60's look of the film.

 My complete costume included: 

• white men's button-up shirt (thrifted)
• white skirt (American Apparel)
• white tights (American Apparel)
• black ankle boots with spats (Winners)
• black walking stick (Malabar)
• black bowler hat (H&M)

A. Hosking Photography

What was your Hallowe'en costume this year?

C.