Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, which means a full weekend of costume parties, trick-or-treating and late nights, with Día de los Muertos gatherings right behind it. That's a lot of skin on display. It's also a lot of body paint, glitter and lash glue sitting on that skin for hours.
Whether you're going full glam, full ghoul or full couch-and-candy, here's how we'd plan your skin for the weekend: what to book, when to book it, and how to bounce back after.
Skip the trick: put the razor down
A last-minute shave is the classic Halloween trick. It's quick tonight, then it's stubble by the time you're zipping into your costume. Waxing removes hair from the root, so regrowth comes back slower and softer, and nobody's doing razor touch-ups in a party bathroom.
The catch: wax needs something to grip. Hair should be about the length of a grain of rice. If you've shaved recently, give it at least 10–14 days to grow back, and three to four weeks before a Brazilian is ideal. Already on the long side? Skip the at-home scissors. We'll tidy things up during your appointment.
Your costume-ready timeline
Book now. We're open Tuesday through Saturday, with Wednesday and Thursday appointments until 6:30 p.m. if you need an after-work spot.
Get waxed 2–3 days before your event. A little redness, bumpiness or itch right after a wax is normal and usually settles within 24–48 hours. This window gives your skin that buffer before tight costumes, body paint or glitter show up.
Planning a big makeup look? Add a Customized Facial a few days out. Heather evaluates your skin that day and picks the treatment that fits, whether that's dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, nano infusion, a chemical peel or microcurrent. Booking a facial and a wax together? Tell us, and we'll help you schedule them in the right order.
Tell us what's in your skincare routine. Retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and recent chemical peels can leave skin more prone to irritation or lifting during a wax. Share your products and medications at intake so we can adjust. If something is prescribed, check with your prescriber before pausing it.
Tricks to skip right after your wax
For the first 24–48 hours, give freshly waxed skin a break from:
Body paint, glitter, self-tanner and costume adhesives on the waxed area
Tight, non-breathable costume fabrics (we see you, pleather catsuit)
Hot tubs, saunas and sweaty workouts
Scratching, picking or "just checking"
A cool compress or a soothing serum helps calm any bumps. If your costume involves a lot of body makeup, patch test it on a small area a few days ahead.
The morning after: treat your skin
Take it all off before bed. An oil-based cleanser or balm melts heavy makeup without scrubbing. For spirit gum, lash glue or prosthetics, use a remover made for that product instead of peeling.
Go easy on glitter. Press a little oil onto it and lift with a soft cloth rather than rubbing it across your skin.
Exfoliate after about 48 hours. Gentle exfoliation helps keep ingrown hairs from crashing the after-party. Skip harsh scrubs and retinoids while your skin is still recovering. We carry ingrown-care oils and gentle scrubs at the studio if you want backup at home.
Keep your rhythm. Many clients rebook about every four weeks so hair growth cycles stay in sync and each wax gets smoother.
Book a November facial. After a weekend of heavy makeup and late nights, a Customized Facial is a calm reset before the holidays.
Every costume and every body welcome
First wax? First time trusting anyone near your bikini line? You're in good company. Our downtown Albuquerque studio is a judgment-free space for every body, every gender and every hair situation, whether you're heading to a Nob Hill house party, trick-or-treating in Rio Rancho or staying home with the good candy.
If you're navigating cancer treatment or recovery, our Skin Therapy Facial is built for clients whose skin has been affected by treatment. Let us know when you book, and check with your care team about anything that needs their input.
The only scary thing here should be your costume.
FAQ
How far before Halloween should I get waxed? Two to three days before your event is ideal. Any redness or bumps usually settle within 24–48 hours, so that window gives your skin time to calm down before costumes, body paint or glitter.
I shaved last week. Can I still get waxed before Halloween? Probably not in time. Hair needs at least 10–14 days after shaving to grow long enough for wax to grip, and three to four weeks is ideal for a Brazilian. If Halloween is too soon, book for the next event and let it grow.
Can I wear body paint or glitter after waxing? Give the waxed area at least 24–48 hours first, and patch test any heavy body makeup ahead of time.
Can I get waxed if I use retinol or other active skincare? Tell us before your appointment. Retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and recent chemical peels can make skin more prone to irritation, so we may adjust the service, the area or the timing. Don't stop a prescription without talking to your prescriber.
What should I book after Halloween? A Customized Facial is a great reset after a weekend of heavy makeup. To keep your smooth streak going, plan your next wax about four weeks out.