Gearing up for Halloween? City stylist shares tips to get a perfect spooky look

Desi all the waygtgt Incorporating Indian or desi elements into your Halloween costume can be a unique way to celebrate the holiday The key is to embrace the spirit of the character or theme and enjoy the celebration Add traditional or culturally significant elements to make your costume stand out and reflect your heritage and interestsgtgt For a quirky look get a spooky twist on traditional attire by dressing as a zombie in a sari Add ghastly makeup and fake woundsVidya Balanrsquos role as Manjulika is a popular Halloween lookgtgt Seek inspiration from Bollywood villains and create a sinister look with dark clothing dramatic makeup and props like a fake cigar or whip You could dress as the iconic largerthanlife villain Gabbar Singh Wear a khaki shirt with patch pockets and epaulettes a broad leather belt on the waist and rope under the arm Add a taweez on a black thread for the neck and a black leather wristband Carry a dummy pistol and voilagrave the look is readygtgt One of my favourite desi Halloween looks is the character of Manjulika played by Vidya Balan in Bhool Bhulaiyaa This look can be created with a bharatanatyam costume or a kanjeevaram saree draped in similar style Accessorise with temple jewellery from head to toe and dying flowers in your disheveled hair Add ghungroos for sound effect and for your makeup wear a smudged heavy red vermillion bindi on the forehead blood red lipstick rubbed off untidily and extremely heavy kohl eyes Alta on your feet and hands will complete this lookMexican Holiday Day of the Dead costume is a makeupheavy lookThe ones that never diegtgt Pay homage to iconic horror movie characters like Freddy Krueger Jason Voorhees or Michael Myersgtgt Pick a traditional witch look or get a modern twist on it Or transform into a sophisticated vampire with pale makeup fangs and elegant attire Or go for a more monstrous bloodthirsty lookgtgt You can also take inspiration from the Mexican holiday Diacutea de los Muertos Day of the Dead For this get a colourful sugar skull makeup and theirtraditional attiregtgt A favourite Hollywood look is the character of Bram Stokerrsquos Count Dracula This look can be created with a wellfitted tuxedo or tail coat a cravat eerie looking cape heavy dark eye makeup fangs and a hypnotic staregtgt Remember that the most important aspect of your Halloween look is to have fun and express your creativity It is a time for selfexpression so donrsquot be afraid to think outside the box and have a blast with your costume and styling choicesRima Melwani costume designer celebrity fashion stylist and educatorLog on to rimamelwani for more tipsAre you propreadyLet there be lightLight up the celebration with glowing digital and LED skull masks candle luminaires in fire retardant paper bags for deacutecor and neon face and body paint among other cool yet ghostly optionsDelivery Across Mumbai within two daysLog on to astronomiashoppePics courestyInstagramLooks like HalloweenThrow the spookiest party in your neighbourhood with pumpkin lamps ghost masks dummy mummies and everything HalloweenAt Party Hunterz PowaiCall 9820600561All spook in oneGet the classic Halloween costumes of the scary yet chic nurse witches devil and even that of a feline They have an onthespot makeup service and propsAt Wanna Party Andheri GoregaonLog on to wannapartyin to order online