The Batman blockbuster "The Dark Night" has been the most popular movie so far this year, so expect a lot of deranged clowns fashioned after Heath Ledger's character roaming the streets on Halloween.

"This is a look for people who colors outside the lines. The more messed up it is the better," says Cristina Bartolucci, co-founder and creative director of the cosmetics brand DuWop and a veteran of films including "Twelve Monkeys" and "Pulp Fiction."

The face can be created without any professional special-effects tools, but you'll get the most realistic look if you buy rigid collodian, an adhesive sold in costume shops.

Bartolucci explains how to get the look:

- First, use the collodian to draw about a two-inch line out from the corners of the mouth. Pinch the corners of the mouth and hold until the adhesive dries; they'll look like gashes.

- Using white grease paint, cover the entire face and use a heavy hand. One trick Bartolucci learned on the set of "Die Hard: With a Vengeance" is to scrunch your face as if you're going to get hit when applying the all-over face makeup. When you relax, the lines will show up, adding to the drama.

- The next step in the Joker look is the eyes: Take black mascara, cover the lashes, close the eyes and smudge the black all over the under-eye area. "It's the exact opposite of what I'd say to do on a normal day," Bartolucci says with a laugh.

- Then use a fat, waterproof black liner all around the eye socket - even the inner rims. The waterproof part is important because it will leave more residue and look even more authentic as the day wears on.

- For the lips, use a red lip gloss that smears well and isn't too sticky. A tube gloss and a brush might be easier to work with than a wand. The color should be a deep red, like blood.