To maximize your costume experience (and be the coolest guy/gal at your party), you HAVE to accessorize! Accessories come in the form of costume add-ons, make-up, props, and more, and are sure to enhance any get-up you plan to don.

1.   WIGS: The greatest thing about a wig is it’s simple, yet drastic. You can change an entire costume by adding some crazy cool hair. Wigs are appropriate for nearly every costume and are available in pretty much any shape, size, color, and texture imaginable.

2.   MAKE-UP: This is important, so listen up: don’t go cheap! Cheap make-up will look cheap — cracking, fading, smearing, turning a perfect costume into a mediocre one. Get quality make-up and TAKE YOUR TIME when applying! Tip: most face paint, fake-blood, pirate “guy-liner,” etc. can be removed with soap and water, but investing in a small bottle of make-up remover will be a lot easier and faster when you decide to be you again.

3.   ACCESSORIES: What a concept — accessorize with accessories! Genius! Seriously, though, little things can add up to a lot for a costume. Depending on your character of course, here are some small accessories that can make a big difference: a boa, a fake tattoo, a petticoat, knee-high stockings, feathers, cane, glitter, gloves, glasses, wings. Accessories are only going to add to your costume & Halloween’s only once a year so feel free to go overboard!

4.   SAFETY PINS: This isn’t so much of an accessory as it is a critical ingredient. While you’re doing your costume shopping, snag a box of safety pins. They’re fairly inexpensive, and every costume can use a couple to secure it in place.

5.  “EMERGENCY” CARRY KIT: Grab a purse, a grocery bag, a pillow case – whatever you want, and put some essentials in there. Throw in some of your make-up so you have it available in case the need arises for touch-ups. (All of your make-up is not necessary – be reasonable.) Also include a few extra safety-pins, and if you have any glued or taped parts to your costume or accessories, include some tape/glue backup too. Oh – and a pack of gum or breath mints is always a good idea. Even Dracula needs good breath!