Local special effects artist brings Chicago Bulls' mascot to life for Halloween
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Moyo Adeolu as Benny the Bull. GIF: Moyo Adeolu/Axios
If you're looking to up your costume game this Halloween, a professional makeup artist may be the solution.
The big picture: Kate Johnson, who has a background in special effects and film, founded The Bridal Beauty Team in 2010 and Glossed Finishing Studio in 2023. She offers costume makeup, special effects and body painting.
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson would typically have 20-50 clients during the Halloween season. Today, she sees around 15 clients a year looking for Halloween makeup services.
Stunning stat: According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending is expected to reach $13.1 billion this year.
Flashback: Johnson moved to Chicago from Southern California after college and started working at Macy's as a counter manager for Smashbox, a cosmetic line. She was signed by a modeling, makeup and hair agency from 2010-2014 and began styling hair and makeup for TV, celebrities, movie premieres and more.
Fun fact: Johnson previously worked with Second City and the cast of "Saturday Night Live" on "Doomsdate," a zom-rom-com.
Zoom in: The Bulls are on a winning streak, so to keep the spirit up, I transformed into Benny the Bull.
How it worked: The process took around two hours, and products were purchased from her go-to store, the Chicago Costume Shop.
- She painted my chest and face, followed by the nose application with glue. Next, she added more paint around my eyes.
- She finished by adding bull horns and faux fur around my face.
What she's saying: "As AI and special effects become bigger, it's really challenging, especially if you're changing the face structure of people and changing them into an animal," Johnson told Axios.
If you go: Glossed Finishing's whimsical-like studio is located at 2853 N. Pulaski in Logan Square.
- There is a second location in Wisconsin.
- Special effects prices start at $100.
What's next: Johnson is looking forward to Mardi Gras season, when she will be educating locals on how to create masks.
📸 Go deeper: Watch me transform into Benny the Bull