black and white toe nail art designs

SPIDER INFESTATION COSTUME

Looking for a truly terrifying costume that’ll send shivers down everyone’s spine? Consider transforming yourself into a spider infestation! This unique and unsettling costume is perfect for those who want to stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression at your next Halloween party.

Imagine this: you’re covered head-to-toe in realistic-looking spiders, their legs sprawling out in every direction. As you move, they seem to writhe and squirm, creating an illusion of a living, breathing spider infestation. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter that’s sure to elicit both fear and admiration.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to create your own spider infestation costume.

SUPPLIES 

  • Printable Tattoo Paper
  • Electronic Cutter
  • Cutting Mat
  • Cut File

TUTORIAL OVERVIEW

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through cutting out designs using my Silhouette Cameo. However, this technique is also applicable if you’re using a Cricut—though I’m less familiar with the specifics of that machine! Rest assured, you can use Silhouette materials on a Cricut as well, and they offer a wide variety of cool options!

Silhouette all has -white, gold, and silver tattoo paper!

HOW TO USE TATTOO PAPER

The Silhouette tattoo paper can be a bit tricky, so let me guide you through the steps! We will be using the Print and Cut feature. Start by uploading the spider image and ensure that the Print and Cut option is selected in the page setup. This will display registration marks around the spiders.

Since the spider legs are so small, I added an offset outline to give the tattoo a thicker appearance!

To begin your tattoo project, start by pressing the star (offset) in your design software. This will allow you to create an outline of the spiders, which you can adjust as much as you like. Once you’ve applied the outline, carefully remove the black spider images, leaving only the outlines behind.

When you open your package of tattoo paper, you will find two white sheets and two blue sheets. The blue sheet serves as the top layer. Take one of the white sheets and load it into your printer with the shiny side facing up.

Finally, go to your Silhouette Studio and press print to send your design to the printer. This will prepare your tattoo outline for application. Enjoy your creative process!


If you need a good printer- check out this article.

The blue sheet is the clear protective layer that activates the tattoo.

It has a strip across the top. Peel off this strip and carefully align it with the top of your white sheet. Be cautious not to touch the sticky side.

Gently remove the backing and adhere the entire clear layer to the white tattoo paper, making sure to rub it down thoroughly.

The top piece acts as a clear protective layer, similar to those fake tattoos you may have used before. You need to peel off the clear layer, then flip the tattoo over to apply it to your skin.

Once prepared, place the sheet onto a Silhouette mat and load it into your Silhouette Cameo.

Cutting out the spiders

The spider legs are quite small, so I prefer to use an offset effect to make the spiders a bit thicker. This creates a subtle clear outline around each spider, enhancing their visibility. Make sure to select the Silhouette tattoo paper cut setting in your software. Once you’ve done that, proceed to cut out the spiders!

Apply your spider tattoos:

When you’re ready to apply the tattoo, start by peeling off the protective layer. The tattoo will be slightly sticky. Position the sticky side down on your skin where you want it to go. Press a damp cloth against the tattoo until it is saturated, then gently remove the backing. The backing should slide off easily, leaving behind a nice creepy spider!

How to Remove Temporary Tattoos:
If you’re concerned about removing temporary tattoos, especially from your face, don’t worry! A little baby oil works wonders, and the tattoos come off easily. This is a definite win! I’ve also heard that hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and nail polish remover can be effective alternatives.

Troubleshooting Print and Cut:
If your print and cut isn’t cutting precisely around the spider, you may need to recalibrate your machine. If it’s not registering the print and cut registration marks, try using a brighter light near your Cameo. Often, lighting issues can affect the registration process!

GUIDE TO JAPANESE SUBSTYLES

This is a list of various substyles within fashion, along with their definitions. Keep in mind that styles often overlap and mix, so don’t worry too much about labeling your outfit under one specific substyle. In the end, it’s all still girly kei!

Core Styles

CASUAL GIRLY

As the name implies, this substyle is casual girly kei. The clothing is often oversized and made from comfortable materials, promoting a relaxed vibe. Hairstyles, makeup, and accessories tend to be simple, with braids and twintails commonly seen. This versatile substyle can range from modest to flashy, depending on how you choose to coordinate your outfit.

SWEET GIRLY

The most popular substyle is known for its playful, over-the-top details like lace, ribbons, and plenty of cute prints. Pastel shades dominate, though darker colors can also be found. Decorative elements are more extravagant compared to other styles, and hair accessories like headbands and ribbons woven into ornate hairstyles are common. Accessories and even main pieces often feature bijou detailing, adding a touch of sparkle. When it comes to footwear, platforms are the most popular choice, though tea party shoes and Mary Janes are also frequently seen. During winter, ankle boots become a stylish and practical option.

FRENCH GIRLY

French girly is a substyle that embodies the romanticized image of a young French woman, similar to the popular “French model aesthetic” seen on TikTok. Outfits typically feature lower platforms and a monochromatic palette of black, white, and gray, often mixed with creams and off-whites. Key elements include hairbands, pearl and gold accents, curled hair, berets, tweed, and ruffled sleeves. Many wearers incorporate high-end European fashion designers into their looks through accessories or cosmetics. While French text is common on accessories, it’s rarely found on clothing.

NATURAL GIRLY

At first glance, natural girly may resemble mori fashion, sharing a vintage-inspired aesthetic. It features a soft silhouette with longer skirts and delicate embroidery. Earth tones are popular, along with square-toed shoes, loafers, canvas bags, and minimal or no-makeup looks. Thrifting is a common practice among natural girly wearers, who often prefer pieces made from all-natural fabrics.

OTONA GIRLY

This substyle caters to those looking for a more mature look. Outfits typically feature longer skirts and a toned-down aesthetic with fewer details. While not always the case, colors tend to be muted, creating a more understated appearance compared to other styles. Solid colors, simple floral patterns, and polka dots are common, along with designer handbags and high heels. Newcomers may find it challenging to distinguish otona from general feminine fashion, as the style emphasizes subtle cute details, even in its simplicity!

RETRO GIRLY

This substyle draws inspiration from retro fashions, making you look as though you’ve stepped right out of the past! It often includes outfits resembling old-fashioned school uniforms, with browns, creams, and lots of plaid being key elements. Folded socks, tights, Mary Janes, and hats are also common accessories. Despite the vintage feel, the clothes in this style aren’t actually vintage but are designed to have a retro aesthetic. It’s all about capturing the charm of old-school fashion while keeping it fresh and modern!

DARK GIRLY

Despite its name, this substyle isn’t just girly kei in dark colors—it has a distinctly edgy vibe. Unlike sweet girly, which focuses on cuteness, dark girly embraces a bolder, more rebellious atmosphere. Key elements include heavy makeup, bondage-inspired accessories, and dramatic platform shoes. Religious iconography, like crosses, hexagrams, and rosaries, is commonly featured. Lace socks and fishnet stockings are popular in this style, with ripped fishnets being a common touch to add to the edgy aesthetic. This substyle blends a sense of mystery with a tough, fashion-forward attitude.

Related Styles

HIMEKAJI

Contrary to what some in the West may believe, himekaji is not solely a gyaru substyle! This fashion is defined by floral prints and abundant lace. While short skirts were prevalent during the gyaru boom, longer garments are now popular and can also be styled for girly kei. Pearl details and accessories are just as common as bijou elements, with an emphasis on keeping accessories elegant and cute.

MENHERA

If you’re not familiar with the menhera subculture, it’s a good idea to start with articles by Menheratic. The style often features vent art prints, with a variety of clothing options, including girly pieces. Outfits typically consist of an oversized top worn as a dress, minimal accessories, platform shoes, simple hairstyles, and byojaku makeup. However, it’s important to remember that menhera primarily focuses on mental health awareness, and the true essence of a coord lies in the meaning assigned to it by the wearer!

JERSEY MAID

Since around 2020, Japanese alternative fashion enthusiasts have embraced (often kawaii-fied) tracksuits and a general gopnik attitude, which has influenced various styles, including girly kei. Although the term suggests a maid-like appearance, it applies to all sorts of frilly tracksuit-inspired outfits, regardless of whether they feature an apron. It’s worth noting that searching for “tracksuit” won’t yield the desired results; they’re referred to as “jersey” in this context. This trend is closely tied to the mizuiro aesthetic, popularized by Tenshi Zyoshi.

CHINA KEI

This style has been around for some time but is often unfamiliar by name. China kei is a kawaii-inspired take on traditional Chinese clothing, including tangzhuang, qipao, and hanfu. Accessories like bun covers, hair sticks, and Chinese knots are common. While Japanese brands may occasionally release similar items, it’s much more prevalent among Chinese indie brands on platforms like Taobao.

OtherJAPANESE TRADITIONAL

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL

Many reinterpretations of traditional Japanese clothing exist across various styles, and girly kei is no exception. This aesthetic includes numerous kimono and yukata designs, as well as girly kei brand releases that incorporate iconic collars and sleeves while maintaining the fashion’s essence. Wearers often pair these outfits with girly kei accessories, intricate hair ribbons, and decorative nails to complete the look. Some may even choose non-traditional platform shoes instead of tabi and geta!

GIRLY-INSPIRED COSTUMES

Given the fashion’s popularity, it’s no surprise that there are costumes inspired by the girly kei style. Themes like jiangshi, nurses, maids, and nuns often receive a girly kei twist, especially in Halloween specials of Larme magazine. Essentially, if you can imagine it, you can make it girly! While not always shown, it’s also common to see idol costumes infused with girly elements.

conclusion

While this may not be an exhaustive list, I hope you found it informative! If there’s a specific substyle you feel is missing and deserves attention, don’t hesitate to reach out to me in my inbox!