Ben Nye Makeup in the News

One of the most popular brands of stage makeup that we carry is Ben Nye brand makeup. The company is named for the founder of the company and is currently run by Ben's son Dana Nye. They recently had a spread in Makeup Artist Magazine about their new manufacturing facility. Check out Ben Nye's colorful new building and read about The Ben Nye Company



StageandTheaterMakeup.com carries the full line of makeup from Ben Nye, which is always hypoallergenic and high quality products used by professional makeup artists since 1979.



Ben Nye's Pearl Sheen Eye Shadow was recently featured in the March 2008 issue of Glamour Magazine as a favorite product of makeup artists. Pearl Sheen shadows are available in 14 vibrant, shimmering colors. Although many products from Ben Nye are for stage and theater, many products, can be used for everyday makeup. Many of the sheens, and Lumiere eye shadows are very popular for every day use. Lip glosses, foundations and powders are also great makeup items for every day wear.

New DVD release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition (3-Disc Series) is now available on DVD. Here's the summary from Amazon:



It's promised as the final word on the subject, and it certainly seems definitive. Steven Spielberg's wonderful Close Encounters of the Third Kind is here collected in three different cuts, each with its own specific history.



There's the original theatrical release, never before issued to home video, which Spielberg said was rushed and not completed to his satisfaction. There's the 1980 Special Edition, which allowed Spielberg a re-edit, some new effects and scenes, and a controversial new ending that went inside the alien craft. Spielberg later said that ending was dictated by Columbia Pictures as a marketing ploy, and that he regretted showing the interior of the spacecraft. Amends were made with the 1998 Director's Cut, yet another re-edit that restored elements from the first version and eliminated the shots inside the Mother Ship. (For all the fuss, there are still fans who prefer the original version.)



A thorough, previously-available 100-minute documentary on the film is included in the package, as well as a 5-minute featurette from 1977. New this time is a 20-minute interview with Spielberg, looking back from the perspective of 30 years. A 30th anniversary collector's booklet offers some pretty pictures but a rather desultory collection of mini-biographies and quotes (some credited to the "International Movie Database," by which they presumably mean the "Internet Movie Database"). Most helpful is a glossy fold-out timeline charting the differences between the three films, a useful tool for sticklers. --Robert Horton



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Check out fun alien costumes and more, for adults and kids, at anniescostumes.com.

Free scary makeup videos

Whether it’s for Halloween or just a fun costume party any time of year, realistic horror makeup can make or break a costume. Here’s a great website called Expert Village (The self-proclaimed “World’s Largest How-to Video Site”) with a whole variety of video tips on how to do scary makeup. And the best part is they’re all free. Videos include supplies, fake stitches, fake bullet wounds, fake bruises, missing eyes, rotting flesh—all the classics! Check out the scary makeup videos here.

Star Trek Movie Update

I have seen some more updates on the web this week regarding the new Star Trek movie, which is only a little over 1 year away! For Trekkie & Sci Fi fans like myself, that is a long wait, but according to Leonard Nimoy, "it will be worth the wait"!!

Earlier this week, Screen Rant posted a great article featuring 10 facts about the new Star Trek film:

1. The budget on the film is far below $200MM.

2. The film will be rated PG-13.

3. The release date was pushed back to summer '09 because Paramount really wants it to be a summer blockbuster.

4. The intent was to re-invent the Star Trek franchise, and that is why they went all the way back to start at the beginning.

5. The script was written with Leonard Nimoy in mind. Nimoy read the script and liked it. It seems he's so pivotal to the story that they would have had a big problem if he hadn't liked it.

For the rest of the details and more on what Leonard Nimoy says about the film: http://screenrant.com/archives/hungry-for-more-star-trek-deta-1566.html

For more info & some more behind the scenes Star Trek info see Cinema Blend and http://trekmovie.com/

As for a Star Trek costume update, unfortunately there are not any new Star Trek costumes being made this year, but hopefully we will hear something for next year, and hopefully some new Star Trek uniforms will be available in time for the new movies release next May. In the mean time, you can check out the Star Trek Uniforms and masks that we do have available.

Earth Day Special

Manic Panic's super bright hair dye has been awarded the PETA Libby Award and named the "Best Cruelty Free Hair Product of 2007"

Manic Panic's awesome, vibrant hair colors and vibrant makeup can be found on our Goth Costume web site: www.ExtremeCostumes.com at: Manic Panic Hair Color & Makeup.

So with Earth Day just a week away, we thought it might be fun to run this promotion. You can do something fun for yourself by giving yourself a funky new look and be good to the Earth and her animals at the same time!

Use coupon code: EARTH to get FREE Ground Shipping off of your order of $25.00 or more! The coupon expires May 1, 2008.



If you are not familiar with Manic Panic hair colors, it is what is used to achieve the brightest, vibrant, almost fluorescent hair color. We also carry shampoos that help you maintain the bright color and Manic Panic's special hair bleaching product that will help you achieve the brightest possible color, especially if you have dark hair.



Check out which celebrities wear Manic Panic!

Although this is labeled as a temporary hair color, it will tend to stain hair permanently, especially if you have light hair, so by temporary, they mean several weeks temporary, not a couple days.



Have fun and be funky! For more funky costumes, clothing, shoes, boots, jewelry, and more, visit ExtremeCostumes.com and have fun!

Annie's Costumes Features Renaissance Clothing and Costumes as well as Spring Party Supplies

Dress up with medieval costumes in April and celebrate in May with Cinco de Mayo costumes and accessories.

I am often asked what we do the rest of the year, when it's not Halloween? And the answer is: We promote how costumes can be used all year long for all different holidays and events! Here is our latest press release information on what's happening this Spring with costumes:

What do a sombrero and maracas have in common with medieval and Renaissance clothing and costumes? They're all part of the clothing and accessories needed to celebrate spring events. From Renaissance Fair clothing and costumes to fun Cinco de Mayo costumes, Annie's Costumes is the one-stop shop for event costumes and accessories.

As the weather warms in April, adults and children head outdoors and the Spring and Summer festival circuit often kicks off with local Renaissance Fairs. Renaissance fairs are set during the late Elizabethan period and typically include music and theater events as well as period food and crafts. Jugglers, magicians, musicians and other entertainers perform throughout the festivals all wearing Renaissance clothing and medieval costumes.

Fairgoers also dress up in the themed outfits, and costumes often include Maid Marian Costumes, Princess Bride Costumes, Tavern Wench and Peasant Lady Costumes, Merlin, Sir Lancelot, Medieval Knight Costumes and more. For a complete list, visit Annies' Costumes' Renaissance Clothing and Costume Shop at http://anniescostumes.com/renaissa.htm.

Renaissance Fairs aren't the only spring events that require special clothing and costumes. May 5, Cinco de Mayo, is a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride with themed parties and celebrations. Typical costumes include sombreros and ponchos, but fun Cinco de May costumes such as fruit hats and Mariachi costumes are always party pleasers. For a complete list of Cinco de Mayo costumes and accessories, visit http://anniescostumes.com/cinco_de_mayo_costumes.htm.

Looking for an excuse to throw a costume party? You can always visit AnniesCostumes.com for costume ideas!

Throw Your Own Luau!

How to host a Hawaiian party, wherever you are

No matter where you live in the world, it's possible to stage your own authentic lu‘au for an afternoon or evening party, or to celebrate important milestones just as we do in Hawai'i: graduations, birthdays and weddings.


Follow our guide to hosting a lu'au to make your event a success!


Begin with the food

The best part of a lu'au is, frankly, the food and drink. For drink, serve whatever you like, but your lu'au menu is another matter. Depending on your palate you can serve your guests traditional lu‘au fare — such as kalua pork, chicken long rice and haupia — or offer more mainstream choices.

Explore these menu ideas:

• Traditional buffet

If you're truly adventurous, you can cook the traditional Hawaiian way by building your own imu oven and whipping up a delectable batch of kalua pork right in your backyard. If that doesn't work up an appetite, some traditional Hawaiian games certainly will.



Details, details, details
Lu‘au are best held outdoors, weather permitting. Decorate with tiki torches (they're inexpensive, drive away mosquitoes, and are available at most garden and hardware stores), flowers, more flowers, and as many green plants as possible. Borrow or rent foliage if you don't have it on hand.


Lu‘au dress is casual! Recommend to your guests the following attire: For men and boys, aloha shirts and khaki shorts or pants. For women and girls, aloha-print sundress or long wrap-around skirt with tank top or light, short-sleeved blouse. Feet should be bare or wearing what we in Hawai‘i call "slippers" (often called "flip flops" or "thongs" elsewhere in the world). No socks, nylons, dress shirts or ties allowed.

Greet each guest with a lei, hug, and a kiss on the cheek.


Lu‘au food is served buffet-style. All dishes go on the buffet table at the same time, guests line up and "grind," as we say in the Islands — sometimes for hours!

Like many other things in Hawai'i, lu‘au are casual. Kick off your shoes, serve the food on paper plates, and enjoy the company of good friends.

Find all your costumes, decorations and more for your luau at http://www.luaucostumes.com/

Get an American Idol Makeup Makeover!

I noticed this week on American Idol that all the girls had on very shimmery, glittery, vibrant eye shadows. Their makeup really popped and it caught my attention, maybe it caught yours too!



Although you may not have a fabulous makeup artist to make you up every day, never fear! You can easily achieve this look on your own with special eye shadows available online at www.StageAndTheaterMakeup.com and www.ExtremeCostumes.com.



I watch American Idol religiously, as I am a big fan; however the makeup connection never dawned on me until just this week when all of the girls were looking really beautiful with their shimmering eye shadows and shiny lip gloss. It is easy for anyone to achieve this gorgeous look.



Not all of our makeup is only for use on stage. Most of it can be used as everyday wear depending on how you apply it. So if you like the sparkling eye shadow look, either for every day makeup wear or a makeup for special evening occasions, here is what you can use to achieve it!



Manic Panic is famous for their vibrant colors. Their most popular product is their semi permanent hair color in vibrant & fluorescent colors. They also have a great products called Lust Dust™ and Coffin Dust™. Both "Dusts" are a mineral powder that can be used with a large brush to lightly dust sparkles over a large area, or combined with LiquiSet liquid, can be used as a vibrant eye shadow that will stay in place through all the lights, sweat and tears. Lust Dust comes in vibrant, bright colors; maybe something like what Kristy Lee Cook or Brooke White would be wearing; and Coffin Dust comes in darker, smoky colors, closer to what Carly Smithson and Ramiele Mulabay were wearing. Use a little for some shimmer and use more for a dramatic effect. You can keep it pretty simple with just some extra sparkle or really turn on the color all the way up to a club kid or punk look and anything in between. It's completely up to you! Have fun and play around with it until you find a look you are happy with.

Here's a close up of what each product looks like: Hot Hot Pink Lust Dust™ Eye Shadow and Silver Stardust™ Coffin Dust:

All the Manic Panic products featured in this article are available on our Goth & Club website: www.ExtremeCostumes.com. Browse the site for other funky things to complete your look, like jewelry, wigs, chunky shoes and funky boots and, of course, some wild costumes too.

Another product that will help you achieve a bright, vibrant sheen and sparkle to your eye shadow color is the Lumière Luxe Sparkle Powder from Ben Nye. Available in 8 bright colors that can be used as a powder shadow or mixed with LiquiSet Sealer to create a luminescent paint with a durable finish. Here is a picture of the product and an example from Ben Nye of just one of the endless possible looks that can be achieved with this eye shadow.


Also available from Ben Nye and available on StageAndTheaterMakeup.com is Lumiere Luxe Powder. Which is an iridescent powder that offers stunning radiance. For beauty highlights, apply dry powder on bare skin or over makeup. This Luxe Powder can be applied to the face, neck and chest, even your arms too; basically anywhere you would like a light dusting of sparkle. Available in 19 different colors, some neutral and some bright. All shades may be mixed with water or LiquiSet Sealer for seamless, shimmering coverage for a more dramatic, even masquerade type look. Here is what the Iced Gold (right) and Bronze Luxe Powders look like:


To finish off the "American Idol Look", notice that the girls have elaborate eye shadow, but very minimal color everywhere else. Use a light blush applied to the apples of the cheeks and a neutral or soft but shiny lip gloss to complete your new American Idol make over!

www.StageandTheaterMakeup.com also has everything else that you need to complete your makeup routine: concealers, foundations, eye liners and powder. Everything we carry is hypo-allergenic and high quality. If you are not familiar with our professional quality makeup products, they are highly pigmented and a little bit goes a long way, colors are vibrant.

And for my last makeup tip, want to be able to stay shine free throughout the day and night? Blotting paper is the answer! This is how stage performers look calm, cool and collected without messing up the makeup under those hot stage lights and high stress.


Need help choosing a hot color for yourself or want to know what colors are most popular? Feel free to contact the makeup department specialists at Extreme Halloween: 1-877-413-8747. Mention this American Idol Makeup post or use coupon code IDOL during online checkout to receive FREE Ground Shipping on your next makeup order of $80 or more. You have until June 1, 2008 before this coupon expires.

And for the record, my favorite idols are: David Cook, Michael Johns, Brooke White and Jason Castro. : )

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Costume

One month away until FIESTA TIME!



Plan ahead for Cinco de Mayo with costumes, hats and party supplies from AnniesCostumes.com. Some hats, sombreros and festive party decorations will make for a good time for this Mexican holiday. But remember: you don't have to be Mexican to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, it can be just a great reason to throw a party and celebrate freedom and good times!

Just arrived in stock: Fun Fiesta Party Invitations. If these maraca invites don't make you want to throw a party and invite your friends over, I don't know what will!


Also new and in stock! For ideas of what to do during the party (besides maybe drink some Tequila & Cerveza) check out the Cactus Limbo game and the Cactus Ring Toss game, which comes complete with a drink cooler!


Lots of decorations are also available. Maybe you want to have a costume party with a Cinco de Mayo Mexican theme?!


Well, AnniesCostumes.com has got you covered in ponchos and sombreros, or if you really want to get into it, check out our matching couples costumes:


If you choose to have a family party for Cinco de Mayo, get the kids involved too:


Party hats, headpieces, festive skirts and Cinco de Mayo Party leis are also newly arrived, in stock and ready to ship. Have fun, Cinco de Mayo is coming soon, don't miss out on having a fun party!

Visit www.AnniesCostumes.com/Cinco_de_Mayo_Costumes.htm to see our entire collection of costumes, accessories and party goods for Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is just one month away!

Cinco de Mayo is just one month away! We all know it's a fun-filled celebration, but exactly what is the holiday? Here are some facts and myths on this festive holiday, from Wikipedia:
Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May" in English) is primarily a regional and not an obligatory federal holiday in Mexico. The date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16 (dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish), which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture, about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. The paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."

The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated in the state of Puebla. There is some limited recognition of the holiday in other parts of the country. For the most part the celebrations combine food, music and dancing.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages, foods, and music.

The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry, respectively. As a result, the holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins, especially in cities and states where there is a large population of Mexican ancestry.

Although it is not an official holiday, many cities with large populations of Mexican ancestry honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican pride and as a representation of a culture that blends both Mexican and American roots. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgin de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez.

Visit Annie's Costumes for ponchos, sombreros, decorations and more.

All 6 Star Wars Movies on Spike TV

The Epic Star Wars Saga begins tomorrow on Spike TV. Airing in chronological order with The Phantom Menace - Episode 1 first on April 4th at 8pm. Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones will air Saturday night and The World Broadcast premiere of Revenge of the Sith - Episode 3 will air Sunday night. Then, next week, the original Star Wars Trilogy: Episode IV - A New Hope Friday, April 11th, The Empire Strikes Back Saturday April 12th and Return of the Jedi airing Sunday, April 14th.

It's appointment television, for sure! (Can you tell I'm a huge Star Wars fan!) And Spike promises to throw in plenty of extras so that Star Wars fans can learn even more about the force! Spike will also be airing a Star Wars movies every Sunday in May.

Don't forget that May 25th is Universal Day of the Jedi, so make sure to get your Jedi cloaks and light sabers ready to celebrate the anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars movie.

If you are in need of any Jedi costumes or supplies, www.AnniesCostumes.com has got you covered with Star Wars costumes in all sizes for adults, children, even babies and pets! Plus Star Wars costume accessories, light sabers, masks, helmets, and more! All Star Wars merchandise we carry is officially licensed and approved by LucasFilms.

Top 10 Crazy Questions Customers Have Asked

Now don't get me wrong, we love our customers, but sometimes they ask the craziest questions!

To our customers: We love you, but we are gonna poke a little fun!

These are ACTUAL questions received by the Extreme Halloween customer service team:

10. Do you know what size my son wears?

9. What color is The Purple Queen Costume?

8. What do you mean you aren't a store? You have an address!

7. Do I have to shave my head before applying a bald cap?

6. Do you sell dragon's blood? (They meant from a real dragon!)

5. Do you have REAL mermaid costumes?

4. How do I go to the bathroom in this costume?

3. Why are these underwear so tight? Answer: that is a headpiece, not a codpiece.

2. Will these wings make my daughter fly?

1. Do you carry costumes?