Day of the Dead is an interesting holiday celebrated in Mexico during the chilly days of November 1 & 2. The indigenous believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.
In most villages, beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made in each home. They are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers (wild marigolds called cempasuchil & bright red cock's combs) mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of turkey mole, stacks of tortillas and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the angelitos, and on Nov. 2, cigarettes and shots of mezcal are offered to the adult spirits. Little folk art skeletons and sugar skulls, purchased at open-air markets, provide the final touches.
On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the festivities are taken to the cemetery. People clean tombs, play cards, listen to the village band and reminisce about their loved ones. Tradition keeps the village close. Day of the Dead is becoming very popular in the U.S.~ perhaps because we don't have a way to celebrate and honor our dead, or maybe it's because of our fascination with it's mysticism.
- Angela Villalba
PRODUCT BREAKDOWN:
FACE: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC42 MIXED with the WHITE from the MAKE UP FOR EVER Flash Palette (pressed in with Beauty Blender).
EYES: MAC Gel Liner, Caron eyeshadow, faded into Ground Brown and then into Charcoal Brown.
LASHES: HOUSE OF LASHES in ICONIC
LINER: NARS ALL DAY STAY in Black
SPIDERWEB: Same colors as eyes, just added MAKE UP FOR EVER black glitter (mixed with AQUA SEAL)
Final Touch: SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS from Michael's