Most people know or have at least heard of vampires from pop culture and literature: the classic Brom Stoker´s Dracula, the sparkling and eternally-teenaged Edward Cullen, and so on.  Although many of these popular characters are well known,  there are still  lesser known vampires out there, such as Anne Rice´s Lestat de Lioncourt  or  Sheridan Le Fanu´s Carmilla Karnstein.

I am aware of these two, but I came across the most unique vampire last year. The author, John Adjvide Lindqvist has been recognized for his best seller as a Swedish Stephen King of sorts; Let the Right One In was his debut novel in 2004, and he helped write the screenplay for the movie adaptation that was released four years later. Since then, he has also written other horror novels and short stories, such as Handling the Undead and Border, which was adapted into a movie in 2018.

Review

Let the Right One In follows the story of Oskar, (portrayed by Kåre Hedebrant in the movie) a bullied, sensitive 12-year-old boy in 1980´s suburban Stockholm who meets a strange girl named Eli (Lina Leandersson) who has moved into the apartment next door. In time, their relationship grows and it is revealed that she is a vampire who is connected to the recent string of murders that have shaken the city. There´s another startling secret eventually revealed, but of a different kind. Eli (pronounced Ellie) was born male and transitioned when she became a vampire. Despite the news, Oskar still loves her, proving that love conquers all.

The reason I bring up this bold written work is because I wish to go as Eli for this year´s Halloween.  This story presents issues that most would eschew.

I don’t see this work for just its diversity, but also for its touching, poignant story of young love.  I have yet to watch the movie and will enjoy it as a horror movie treat this October.

The Makeup Process

I found an Eli inspired makeup tutorial posted on Tumblr, but it was in Italian, so I had to rely on Google Translate. It was inspired by the scene where Eli was oozing blood through her pores after walking into Oskar´s apartment as a result of what happens to vampires when entering a private residence uninvited.

The tutorial instructed that I use foundation before brushing dark eye shadow along the eyes, nose, forehead and cheekbones for a ghostly and bruised look.  It was really quite simple. Then all I had to do was to finish with fake blood.  

This was actually my first time doing makeup, so I had my mom practice with me first so I could get better at it and practice later on my own.

You could really use whatever dark colors you have on hand, but I used a light purple eyeshadow for the majority of the makeup, as well as some unused red eyeshadow I had on hand.

I bought a matte red liquid lipstick suitable for mimicking blood drips on my mouth and under my eyes. It was thick enough that it almost resemble the same thing.

For the sake of staying warm on those chilly October nights, I opted for a long sleeved red dress inspired by a shirt she later wore.

I have what I need. 

I hope I master it enough to perfectly capture Eli´s look.