Black cats have been associated with superstition, bad luck, Halloween and witches for centuries, making them a great choice for this week’s DIY costume guide. Transform into a friendly feline, find out how to paint your own claws and discover where their unfair reputation really comes from.
Get the look
make up tutorial:
cat face
You will need black and white face paint, a clean makeup sponge, brushes, black and white eyeliner and pink lipstick.
tricks and tips:
talon nails
Why are black cats bad luck?
The many negative associations with black cats can be blamed on – you might have guessed it – witches! Legend told that a witch was able to transform into a black cat, or even reincarnate into one after death. What’s worse, some even believed the devil gave them to witches as gifts!
After the Puritan Pilgrims arrived in the United States, they brought with them strong religious beliefs and an extreme distrust of anything associated with witchcraft and sorcery – that sadly meant black cats.
Thankfully, today the reaction to a black cat is somewhat less extreme. But, on Halloween, when yellow eyes with vertical snake-like slit pupils are gazing upon you, there’s still lingering fear as to their true motivation.
