Pay close attention, because these are names which will only be mentioned once a year on Signature9 (well, possibly twice if we’re looking ahead to April 1st), especially next to the word “inspiration.” Now, 7 costume ideas inspired by the faces that frighten us throughout the year.

Shauna Sand

The latest Hollywood starlet to try to move off the D-list via sex tape, Sand has never found an occasion where lucite wasn’t appropriate.

How to get the look: Lucite heels, a little spandex (really – as little as possible), frosted lip gloss and black eyeliner are all you need to pull this one off. And before you leave the house, don’t forget to take one thing off. Shauna would probably suggest underwear.

Kim Zolciak’s Wig

The Real Housewife of Atlanta star has drawn attention from her first frame on the small screen with her doll-like wig. Diane von Furstenberg pulls off the look on the cover of Purple magazine.

How to get the look: If you can’t get your hands on a Margiela coat for the costume, scalp a few Barbie dolls and piece together. We can’t guarantee that you’ll look as good as Diane, but you’ll probably still do better than Kim.

Lindsay Lohan

From fresh faced to frightening in five years flat. We won’t say she’s aging in dog years, but the once glowing star now looks to be in the same age range as her mother.

How to get the look: You won’t be able to achieve it overnight, but buy a minimum 5 bottles of self tanner and apply liberally.  Apply pasties (Ungaro, of course), “borrow” jeans with a bag of baking soda in the pocket, pick up an automobile fender to carry around and voila! You are La Lohan.

Jocelyn Wildenstein

Is any explanation necessary?

How to get the look: Purchase a plastic princess mask. Melt for 15 minutes. Done!

Katie Price/Jordan/Jodie Marsh/Roxanne (Alex Reid)

They’re almost interchangeable at this point, but read on for the subtle differences in costume.

How to get the look: The costumes all start the same: 2 round balloons, over-inflated and placed at chest level. A Borat style swimsuit made of pleather, metallic lamé or glitter covered nylon and a pair of heels made for streetwalking are the foundation. Apply 3 coats of pancake makeup, bronzer and false lashes. Top with a wig made of Amy Winehouse’s rehabbed beehive.

For Jodie Marsh, sprinkle with glitter and desperation, add rhinestones. For Katie Price/Jordan, volunteer inappropriate information throughout the night, insult any other women in similar costume for being trashy. And for Roxanne (Alex Reid),  add a pair of stockings, cross your legs and look like more of a lady than the girls next to you. That might actually be the easiest.

Jon Gosselin

While he’s pulled his 8 children off of TV and out of the spotlight, we haven’t had as much luck getting Jon Gosselin to do the same.

How to get the look: 3 hours in Ed Hardy, 15 minutes at Claire’s (for the rhinestone ear dazzlers), 2 women half your age (and no more than 2.5 x the age of your oldest child), a bald spot and a clock on 14:58 will make this look complete. Accessorize with 8 child dolls, but only because Halloween’s on a weekend.

Chantal Biya

With hair that the Toddlers and Tiaras crowd can only dream of, there is no one on the world stage who can compete with Cameroon’s first lady. We’re only frightened because of what Ms. Biya might be hiding in her hair.

How to get the look:  Buy the Dallas DVD set. Purchase a wig, tease until it is exactly 3.14 times (this look is both art and science) the height of Alexis Carrington’s. Pair with a power suit from the same decade, add jewels and a bow. Accessorize with an air of indignation at the starlets who try to look better than you. Know in your heart that they never will because you have backup bows tucked safely away beneath your first layer of hair. Just look at that picture: Michelle, who?

According to a report from The Campaign For Safe Cosmetics, several types of face paints have been found to contain trace levels of lead and metals like nickel and cobalt, which are proven allergens — even on products labelled as non-toxic.

By all means be wild and creative this Halloween season, but remember that health and safety are much more important.  We recommend using reputable brands backed up with positive reviews and honest labels: a good start would be makeup-artist-grade theatrical makeup, which will be more costly but much better for you in the long run.

Read the full story {GlamBlush}

I Scream Sandwitches from Martha Stewart

Whether it’s eyeball cupcakes, pumpkin cupcakes, or I Scream Sandwitches, Halloween desserts are a great way to either take advantage of seasonal flavorings or just have a little fun in the kitchen. Every cooking blog and web site contributes their ideas to the mix, so we’ve selected our favorites below – just for you!

And we couldn’t not share this wickedly clever recipe (courtesy of Gwenyth Paltrow’s Goop). The perfect solution for the post-Halloween sugar crash? Why not turn your kid’s left over stash (if they let you touch it, that is) into delicious cookies?

Here’s the Recipe for Trick ‘N Treats:

3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter (8 tablespoons) at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
2 to 3 cups candy, chopped (recommended: chocolate bars or chocolate covered anything, caramel anything, chips, pretzels, raisins; just so-so: lollipops, hard candies; not recommended: gum, gummies, pixi stix)

Preheat oven to 375° F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour with baking soda and salt and set aside. In another medium bowl, cream butter and sugars together with a whisk or wooden spoon until light and fluffy (this takes about 3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each, and then add vanilla and milk and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mix until incorporated, then fold in chopped candy.
Drop by rounded tablespoons (a mini ice cream scooper is my favorite way to portion them) onto cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie (room to grow). Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Read More {Real Simple‘s Halloween picks}

Read More {Martha Stewart’s Halloween recipes}

Read More {Halloween Recipes from Goop}

Read More {Halloween Recipes from Epicurious}

Black Devil Martinis, courtesy of Fine Living

Whether you’re throwing your very own bash or just looking for some dark and delicious options for your evening out on the town, we’ve found the best Halloween cocktails around – all for your sipping pleasure. Check out the following detailed lists or just indulge in our favorite: The Vampire Kiss Martini.

1½ ounces Finlandia vodka, chilled
1½ ounces Korbel Champagne
¾ ounce Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur

Rim a martini glass with red sugar or garnish with raspberry syrup. Pour vodka and half of the Chambord in a martini glass, top with Champagne, and pour the remaining Chambord over the back of a spoon to make it float.

Read More {DesignCrush}

Read More {The Intoxicologist}

You might also be able to score some great non-Halloween pieces for your wardrobe in the process if you play your cards right; if you’re stumped, think of fashion icons and go from there.  Maybe scour the shops for some great black dresses and pearls to channel Coco Chanel (or Holly Golightly — different decade, same idea), or be like Madge (circa. 1985) and pile on lace gloves and crucifixes — that way, you’ll be able to incorporate your finds into the rest of your closet post-Halloween.

Read the full story {Ethical Style}