How to Make a Woman a Cowboy for Halloween

After reading Norah Jones book, Self Made Man, twice in the past year, I was inspired to dress up as a man for Halloween. I chose the common cowboy costume, partly because I had everything I needed to pull it off. Being resource always helps when pulling together a Halloween costume using whatever you have at home.

As with any costume, how you project yourself will have a huge impact on the responses you receive. Have fun playing the part! Prepare some cute ready made 'lines' to deliver, such as, "howdy partner," "pardon me" or "evenin' ladies," as you tip your hat to them. Practice your walk and talk to really get into character.

I had a lot of fun enacting the cowboy role at work. My mustache lasted all day and many commented on how real it looked, along with the five o'clock shadow. I did touch up the makeup at lunch. It was also interesting to examine the different reactions from my co-workers. The men seemed very uncomfortable and disturbed with my Halloween male role-playing. The women embraced it. Overall, my cowboy costume brought smiles and laughs to many people's faces. I plan to be a cowboy tonight when I take my kids Trick or Treat tonight. Can't wait to see more reactions.

Clothes You'll Need: Jeans (preferably Wrangler), cowboy boots and hat, bandanna (fold into triangle and tie around neck with triangle pointing down in front), long-sleeve button down shirt (I only had corduroy, plaid also works great)
Optional - vest, suede or jean jacket.

Makeup (color depends on your hair color): Maybelline ultra liquid liner (waterproof), eyeliner, sponge.

You will also need: scissors and New Skin liquid bandage.

To make your mustache:
1. Put some New Skin on one half of your one upper lip.
2. Cut 1-2 cm of your hair from inconspicuous area and place on liquid.
3. Continue this process until you have hair lining your upper lip.*
4. Trim your mustache hair.
5. Now 'dot' some of the ultra liquid liner in your mustache to create a hair follicle affect.
*Alternatively and untraditional, you may choose to do a soul patch instead of or in addition to a mustache.

Five O'Clock Shadow
1. 'Dot' damp sponge with the ultra liquid liner and create a 5 o'clock shadow beard by blotching.
2. Finally, thicken your eyebrows using the eyeliner.

Removal of mustache: I pulled the hairs off and used a wet washcloth to loose the rest and wipe off the New Skin.* Finish by washing your face with your facial soap.

*You could also use nail polish remover but I imagine that might really stink next to your nose, not to mention the great possibility of sneeze city.