Is there really a better holiday than Halloween? Marshmallow ghosts, chocolate witches, and caramel apples are only the beginning. It's acceptable — or, rather, encouraged — to gorge on candy and sweets, and that sure helps this holiday get tops marks, but the excitement of Halloween comes from the creativity involved in picking a new costume every year.

There are the old stand-bys, like a firefighter or a cat, but a good part of the fun is choosing something original and clever. Top picks for 2010? A character from the over-tanned and inarguably overexposed cast of Jersey Shore, the ever dreamy and effervescent Alice in Wonderland, and for the boys, an Ironman get up in all its machismo glory.

Although the costume is the sole most important aspect of the outfit, for me, it's all in the details. Dressed as Dorothy? Red glittery nail polish would echo the ruby slippers in a modern way. Dressed up as a Raggedy-Ann doll? Better paint on some freckles to give the illusion of authenticity. Whichever route you choose to take, go all-out with specifics. Here are a few ideas to ensure there's a cherry on top of your costume.

When I attended the wonderful educational institute of Fanshawe College, I had the pleasure of gaining employment on campus at The Out Back Shack. Never since have I had so much fun celebrating Halloween as my student days in London on campus. In retrospect (and with a clearer, slightly less Jell-o shooter-soaked outlook), I've come to the conclusion it was from the enthusiasm. This brings me back to getting all the details right with your costume. In one extreme case that I will never forget, a fellow Shackie was ready to get the Cabbage Patch Kids symbol tattooed on his rear for maximum accuracy. Thankfully, there are far less permanent ways to add elements of credibility to your costume. Sephora, ever the beauty Mecca with a location at White Oaks Mall, has helpfully created palettes, polishes and products galore to top off whatever you choose to channel.

Makeup is a great way to enhance your costume as it can be applied to create many different moods and looks. Super-sharp liquid eyeliner or a range from outrageous to fat and flirty fake eyelashes can enhance a sexy or dramatic costume.

Lipstick shades can also allude to this, and Illamasqua's intense, colour-rich formula for your alterego really gets the job done and will stay put through treats and drinks.

Vampire-crazed gals will appreciate cult-makeup brand Tarte's collaboration with True Blood, but any girl will love the sheer flush the limited edition Tarte Tarte for True Blood Natural Cheek Stain imparts after gliding it on.

Adventurous costumes can call for a little something extra, and Ultraflesh Flash Face Decorating Kit is just the right ingredient to spice things up. Nine reusable stencils, three different coloured sprays and three detailing pens allow for countless ways to be creative. Also featured is the incredibly genius and innovative Makeup For Ever Fluo Night Black Light Pigment. This transparent fine powder can be applied alone or over makeup and is invisible to the naked eye until exposed to black light, where it then glows wherever it has been applied. Whether your costume is classic or modern, everyone can enjoy Philosophy's I Love Candy Corn or Caramel Apple flavoured lip gloss — just to tide you over until you get the enjoy the real thing, of course.