Today we’d like to introduce you to Tifinie Boutot.
Hi Tifinie , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started in the theme park world back in 2004, working for all the major theme parks in Orlando, Disney, Sea World, Universal, Halloween Horror Nights and later at Universal Studios Japan. That’s where I fell in love with the artistry of SFX makeup — turning people into monsters, and creatures.
For over 10 years I’ve been teaching kids and young adults at Florida Film Academy, where I share industry secrets and help them create their own creepy characters.
I’ve always loved the strange and unusual — not because it needs fixing, but because brokenness tells a story. That’s why I lean into creepy makeup and spooky themes.
Parents loved the classes and workshops I was teaching, and I realized — why not bring that spooky fun into birthday parties? Not every kid wants glitter or balloons. Some want fake blood, severed fingers, and creepy goodie bags. And so Pretty Dead Parties was born.
For me, it’s about more than just makeup. It’s about giving kids a place where being weird is wonderful, where creativity gets messy, and where they leave with confidence — and maybe a little trauma that makes them laugh every time they remember it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest struggles early on was figuring out the best way for each student to really grasp the class. Every kid learns differently — some are hands-on, some need step-by-step guidance, and some just want to experiment until it clicks. Learning how to adjust my approach so that each student could walk away feeling successful was a challenge, but it also became one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. Now I love finding that moment when a student’s eyes light up and they realize they just made something creepy and amazing with their own hands.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
“I’m a special effects makeup artist and teacher, and I specialize in turning the strange and unusual into something kids can celebrate. I’m known for making spooky fun accessible — whether it’s teaching a tween how to make a severed finger out of wax, or helping a teen create bruises and wounds with professional techniques.
What I’m most proud of is seeing kids’ confidence grow when they realize they can create something that looks like it walked right out of a horror movie. I love when the quietest student in the room suddenly lights up because their makeup looks ‘gross’ in the best way possible.
What sets me apart is the mix of creepy and campy — I don’t just show up as a teacher, I show up as a character. I arrive dressed like the perfect suburban hostess and then flip the script with fake blood, wax, and latex. It’s part art class, part performance, part party. That balance of hands-on artistry, theatrical fun, and a spooky aesthetic is what makes Pretty Dead Parties truly one-of-a-kind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Prettydeadparties.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettydeadparties?igsh=ZHAzenY4Z3NwaDI0
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17P7wD58sa/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pretty.dead.girl3?_t=ZP-8zxbTR1rRSZ&_r=1
