Over $8 billion is spent on Halloween supplies every year, according to Investopedia.  The National Retail Federation states that most Americans will spend about $80 this year alone on costumes, candy, and decorations.

Local haunted house Hotel of Terror takes its screams and scares to the next level with makeup artist Mike Strain Jr.  Strain has done work in some big motion pictures such as “The Sky Has Fallen” (2009), “You’re Next” (2011), and “Tree House” (not yet released).  He has been doing makeup artistry since the mid-’80s.

Strain gives these tips and tricks on how to create that perfect dead bloody face look just in time for Halloween:

“Base the face out first with some white foundation,” he advises. “Mehron is a pretty good kit to use. The key is not to go pale white but just give it some color. You don’t want to look like a clown.”

It all depends on the costume how far you go with the makeup: “The more you go over the lips and stuff, the more color you can take out, the more dead looking you will be.”

Next, go under the eyes with some black eye makeup as well as over the eyelids.  “This will hollow you out,” he says. “It adds a sinking look to the eyes.”

You want to add the black to areas to make it look similar to a “skull.”

“If you have ever seen a plastic skull, you follow the same look,” he says. “You want to go where there are holes and dents in the skin.  That way it has that same look to it.”  Make all your lines first, and “then go back through and blend it in.”

When blending makeup in, make sure to get a clean makeup sponge, which come in most kits. “They help to blend it out and smooth it together a little bit,” he says. “That way there are not such hard edges present.”

Now, go back through, and use lines or dots around the temples to add more to the effect, Strain says.

You then want to go back through and add or blend in where needed.  Strain says that Q-tips are the best to help with all your makeup needs. “They are fast and easy.”

Finally, Strain advises: “Just splatter the blood all over ya.”

The easiest way to do this is to buy a container of Bottle of Blood, or make it yourself.  You can accomplish this by using standard food coloring, Karo syrup, and water. Apply the mixture around the mouth and nose. “You want to make sure you have some runs and smears,” Strain says. “This helps to make it look different depending on your character.”