How to Make a great witch costume

The witch is the blue-chip stock of Halloween costumes — reliable return, low risk.

You Will Need

* A long black dress

* Black cloak or shawl

* Pointy black shoes

* Striped stockings

* A witch's hat

* Face paint or makeup

* Black lipstick

* Peppercorns

* Green or black washable paint

* Glue

* Broomstick

* Black poster paper

* Black cat

Step 1: Shop for used clothes

Comb through thrift shops and used clothing stores for a calf-length black dress, a black cloak or shawl, and black pointy shoes.

If you don't want to buy a dress, just take a large piece of black fabric and cut a hole in the top for your head.

Step 2: Tear hemline

Cut or tear the dress' hemline into jagged strips.

Step 3: Visit a costume shop

Go to a costume shop for horizontally-striped stockings — green and black or red and black will stand out best — and a witch's hat. You can also find your face paint here.

Make your own witch's hat with some black poster paper.

Step 4: Apply face paint

Apply an even layer of white face paint or make up, then add brown and green smudges. Now smear black face paint or mascara around your eyes.Complete the look with black lipstick.

Step 5: Add warts

Add a couple of warts by painting peppercorns green or black and applying to your face with non-toxic glue.

Step 6: Turn your teeth gray

Chew some black licorice or black jelly beans until your teeth turn gray.

Step 7: Make a broomstick

Tie a bunch of real twigs to a broomstick and you're off! If you've got a black cat, take him along for the night.

Fact: The word "witch" comes from the Saxon word "wicca," meaning "wise one," because witches were believed to have the ability to foresee the future.