Miss Peregrine DIY Hair and Makeup

[Still from Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, 20th Century Fox]]

As you may imagine, we at Quirk Books have been struck by Peculiar Fever since the movie adaptation of Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children came out. But when I saw the movie, I was focused on more than just the story: I couldn’t get enough of Miss Peregrine’s look. The steely blue hair! The perfect eyeliner! The sculpted curls! I knew I had to try the look myself, especially since Halloween is coming up. After some experimentation on my patient roommate, Priya, may I suggest that an Alma Peregrine Halloween costume is just the ticket?

Read the tutorial below to learn how to achieve Miss Peregrine’s style!

 

Products Used

Hair

• High Beams Temporary Spray On Color – Bangin Blue
• Heat Protectant Spray (I used TRESemme Thermal Creations)
• Hairspray of your choice (I used something I found in the bargain bin at RiteAid because that’s how I roll)
• Curling Iron
• Bobby Pins

 

Makeup

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original
• Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette
• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black
• Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer
• CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
• Ardell Natural Lash in Black 120 (optional)
• Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint in Namaste
• Benefit Watt’s Up! Cream Highlighter
• Pressed powder of your choice (I used Physician’s Formula)

 

And here’s my lovely roommate/model, Priya, killing it as per usual:

 

I asked Priya because she has thick, black hair, thus making her perfect for the tutorial. If you don’t have black hair, consider buying a wig. You can use temporary black dye, but the darker a “temporary” dye is, the less likely it is to actually wash out. And you’ll need a dark base for this look to work!

 

Step 1: Dye

Miss Peregrine has killer hair that’s equal parts retro bouffant, Victorian updo, and 90’s punk rocker. The punk, of course, comes from the steely blue streaks. Prep your hair by holding the can of dye about two feet away and giving your locks a light, all-over mist. Almost all dark brown and black hair has warm undertones rather than cool, so a faint dusting of blue will neutralize any reddish hints. Next, pick about ten locks of hair, concentrating them towards the front of your head. Coat them in spray, which will turn each one a solid dark blue.

Unless you want to get your hands covered with blue dye, wait a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

 

Step 2: Curl

If your hair is difficult to curl, apply a curl mousse or serum now. Then twist most of your hair into a bun on the top of your head, but leave the bottom layer free. Curl in roughly 1-inch sections, but don’t worry about getting closeup-worthy spirals – you’re going to be pinning these up anyway. When you finish the bottom layer, let down the next layer and repeat the curling process.

 

Continue until you’ve achieved the va-va-volume that makes Miss Peregrine’s hair look practically alive. Then part your hair on your left. No, not my left. Your left.

 

Step 3: Pin and Tuck

If you have short hair, congrats – you can move on to your makeup! If your hair is chin-length or longer, you’ll want to create a faux bob, or ‘faub,’ which might be one of the most unfortunate portmanteaus to have ever been invented. Just like last time, wrap all but the bottom strands into a bun. Then create four sections, or more if your hair is quite long. Using your thumb and forefinger, make a curly loop with each section and pin it to the back of your head. Let down the next layer of hair and continue. Think of this process as twisting your hair in on itself – you’re effectively cutting its length in half. When you’re done, pull a few strands free in the front so that you can create a dramatic swoop later.

You might want a friend to give you a hand here, as it’s difficult to see what you’re doing. Unless, like Claire Densmore, you have a face on the back of your head. Then you probably have other things to worry about.

 

Step 4: Apply Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, and Mascara

Prep your lids with eyeshadow primer. I prefer Urban Decay Primer Potion, but any kind will do. Next, create a cool-toned smoky eye that captures Miss Peregrine’s fierce, moody aesthetic. If you have the Urban Decay Vice 4 palette, apply Discreet, a lavender-tinged shade, all over the eyelid. Sweep a fluffy brush through Low, a dark gray shade with gritty glitter, and apply it in the outer crease. Finally, apply Bones on the brow bone, the inner corner, and on the outer edges to blend any harsh lines.

 

Uncap your liquid eyeliner (yes, it’s gotta be liquid – no other eyeliner will have the precision you need) and draw a thick line along both your upper and lower lids. Wing it slightly at both ends so that it comes to a point. Make sure your line is full and dark: most occasions call for subtle eyeliner, but this ain’t one of them.

Take your pencil liner and draw along your waterline. You can do this by using the middle finger of your non-dominant hand to pull the lower lid down, exposing the bit of the lid that’s hardest to reach. You can try to use liquid here, but it usually doesn’t stick, and it can sting or be unsafe for eyes – so best to go with pencil for this part.

 

If you want the full drama of Alma Peregrine’s look, apply a set of false lashes next. (I’m not going to go into detail here about how to do that, but you can find plenty of tutorials online.) Apply one more coat of eyeliner to conceal the lash band.

Whether you’ve chosen to wear false lashes or not, take your favorite mascara and give your lashes a generous coating. You want piercing, attention-grabbing eyes!

 

Step 5: Thicken Brows

Eva Green is a fantastic actress in her own right, but her dramatic eyebrows certainly help her capture Miss Peregrine’s avian-chic look. Priya’s eyebrows are thick, but in order to resemble Miss Peregrine’s, they need a boost. If your brows are thick and dark already, just do what I did: simply take the liquid liner and, with a steady hand, draw the outline of an elongated, arched brow. Fill in. If you don’t have naturally dark brows, first use a brown brow powder to bring the color closer to black.

 

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

Apply a coat of matte, light pink lipstick, then get ready for some simple contouring. First, though, put on pressed powder to eliminate unwanted shine. Take your highlighter and dab it on the cheekbones, under the brow bones, and on the thickest part of the lips. Use your fingers to blend it in.

I know it might sound weird to cut down on shine with one product, then add more using another…but it’s all about the location of that glow. Miss Peregrine has a prominent bone structure, so bring yours out by using highlighter.

Finally, take those strands of hair that you left free earlier and fasten them into a curly crest on the right side of the head. Use bobby pins to achieve a shape you like. Spray the dickens out of it, or those curls will flop into your face within minutes.

And, finally…

 

 

Step 7: Add Attitude (And a Pipe, And a Pocket Watch)

You’re finished! Now all you need to rock a Miss Peregrine costume is a raised eyebrow, an intense gaze, and a few key accessories. See? Not so hard, and absolutely achievable with beauty products you probably already have/can grab from the drugstore.

Enjoy your peculiar new look, and don’t let the hollows get too close!