Extreme Makeovers

"If we need to do an [on-screen] autopsy, we use dummies for the ones that have been through more trauma," Mungle said. "We have a set of dummy bodies ready to go in our lab, and we just add a face cast of the actor to finish it off."

Despite makeup artists' hard work on set, their success is determined by what viewers at home see.

"You have to be able to see through the lens of a camera and know the right balance of details and general makeup," McIntosh said. "That ability to see what things look like in the medium that you're working in is most important."

Mungle agreed. "I actually think less blood makes for better makeup," he said. "Sometimes [producers] don't want us to use too much blood on TV, so we have to create wounds and use less blood than would actually be there. It really shows our artistry -- anyone can just throw blood on a set."

Makeup artists don't get the on-screen time their creations get, but their work can make or break a show, lending it a sense of reality or, worse, artifice.

"One of my characters went into the lunchroom with his full makeup on, and he was asked to leave because no one could eat," Barlow said proudly. "When people say, 'Oh my God, that's so scary,' then you know you've done a good job."

Halloween DIY

To concoct creepy creations at home, makeup artists suggest using products found in grocery stores, which allow for easy cleanup and less chance of irritation.

· For different skin textures (burned, scarred or lumpy), apply a paste of water and either oatmeal or dry cereals.

· For blood , mix corn syrup and red food coloring.

· Mix flour and water for a simple adhesive .

· Use eyelash glue or spirit gum (found at costume stores) to attach heavier objects .

· Prepare gelatin and apply to the skin, then paint it with cream makeup to make scars or burns . For zombies, apply tissue paper to the gelatin before it dries.

· To make a scab , apply a mixture of coffee grounds and sugar using a "glue" made from flour and water. Use lipstick under the "scab" for inflamed skin.

With HDTV, Making Up Is Harder to Do

The advent of high-definition television means makeup magicians must pay more attention to detail than ever before.

"When you do regular TV, you can get away with a lot more," said "Blade" makeup artist Cindy Barlow. "When I do high-definition shows, I treat it as a feature film, which means when I look into the mirror at an actor, that's what the camera will see."

"CSI's" Matthew Mungle thinks HDTV will force the industry to produce better artists. "You'll have to watch what you do more, watch how much paint and makeup you use, and be more artistic," he said.