Are you a fan of Saturday Night Live and the weird and wacky characters that have graced the show over the years? For a college party, my daughter requested a Dooneese costume, inspired by the character played by Kristen Wiig.

Dooneese is a quirky and endearing character, known for her unusual facial features and quirky personality. Her unique look has made her a favorite among SNL fans, and the idea of becoming Dooneese for Halloween was irresistible. 

To get started on our Dooneese costume, we first gathered  a few key supplies. First and foremost, we needed a wig to mimic Dooneese’s signature blonde locks. We started with a cheap blonde wig similar to this one. Then, we sewed it in place on a flesh-toned wig cap to look like an extreme amount of forehead was showing.

Tiny hands are an essential element of the costume. They are readily available in many styles at toy stores and on Amazon.

Once you have your hair and tiny hands in place, it’s time to focus on your outfit. Dooneese is often seen wearing a pink dress with frilly sleeves and a lace collar, so this is a good place to start. You can also add other touches, like a pearl necklace, to complete the look.

I made the Dooneese dress in two pieces – a strapless under-dress, covered by a sheer over-dress. I used Simplicity 2440 for the underdress and a puff-sleeved blouse pattern for the overdress. I sewed the underdress in a crisp pink satin fabric and the overdress in a pink chiffon fabric. For both fabrics, the cheaper the better. I find that cheaper fabrics tend to be stiffer, which makes them handle easily for costume construction.

When it comes to makeup, you’ll want to keep things simple and natural-looking, with a focus on accentuating Dooneese’s unique features. Use a light foundation to create a smooth base, and then add blush to the apples of your cheeks to mimic her rosy complexion. For the eyes, focus on creating a subtle winged eyeliner look, and use mascara to make your lashes look long and full.

Overall, creating a Dooneese costume is a fun and quirky way to pay homage to one of SNL’s most beloved characters. With a little creativity and a few key supplies, you can channel Dooneese’s spirit and bring a smile to the faces of all those around you.