While many party goers have planned their costumes well in advance of tonight's festivities, chances are the make-up to go with the ideal outfit will have been an afterthought.

To avoid turning from Shrek to Freddy Krueger or having your Princess Leia look morph into a bad drag act, you need to make sure you don't sweat too much.

Perspiration can ruin a fully made-up face, according to Dublin make-up artist Tom McInerney.

"Once you start to sweat it all falls off," he said. "You need to use something like Sweat Stop which is an active anti-perspirant in liquid form."

"You apply it to your face and it will stop making you sweat so much."

Tom recommends making a trip to Dublin's Make-up Room in Pembroke Place to purchase professional theatrical make-up products.

Getting ready

Do a patch test on skin near your under arms or the corner of your mouth to make sure you aren't allergic to the make-up you wish to use.

Preparing your skin for theatrical make-up isn’t quite the same as preparing for a Saturday night on the town, according to Tom.

"The best thing to do is to avoid moisturiser, you skin needs to be bone dry and oil free," he said.

"You want it (your face) as dry as a bone and then apply an astringent like Sweat Stop then apply your make-up along with zinc oxide powder.

"That’s the main ingredient in talcum powder so you can use that."

Covering your face with talcum powder or a similar zinc oxide product will dry the base and ensure your look stays still.

If you are aiming for a gothic look, Benefit cosmetics’ Jennifer Muldowney says you should take advantage of the brand's kohl pencil products.

"Using perhaps 'Bad Gal’- our black kohl pencil with attitude, for a heavy smoky eye, you can achieve a haunting look without damaging the skin with heavy white and black paint. A very cool gothic look can be achieved this way."

Turning your little darling into a monster

Be realistic about Halloween make-up for kids and keep in mind how long a truly scary looks takes to get ready. Remember a child may want to look like a vampire, but will he or she sit still long enough for that kind of look to be achieved?

"It's a slow process taking it off (or putting it on). Be very sure that they (the child) want it otherwise try talking them out of it. That's what I do,” Tom said.

Would the four-year-old who wants to be Spiderman let you paint his little face – would he have the patience for it all? If the answer is no consider buying a plastic mask or opting for something simpler.

At the end of the night

It's important to have an appropriate remover for theatrical cosmetics as you often can’t just use normal make-up remover.

"If you have to stick something on with glue, then you need the correct remover" said Tom. Use alcohol to remove any glue or better yet, purchase the remover which matches the product when you buy the Halloween slap.

For children, make sure you have purchased a remover that's appropriate to the make-up that has been applied. Most removers for children will be made from a refined form of baby oil.

Don't smoke when you’re taking the stuff off as the alcohol removers are not conducive to avoiding flames.

Professional make-up stores will also carry mineral-based removers which can be used to theatrical cosmetics.

"Make sure you have everything prepared and you have removers. You need to make sure you can get it off."

Trends in Halloween slap

"A lot of people have been in looking for the classic smokey eye look which we love to do at Benefit using our Bad Gal products," said Jennifer.

"Another popular trend I have noticed is the au natural but radiant look, while vamping it up with a little red lippie like 'Get Frenched'.

- Danielle Cahill