Makeup

by Robert McCammon

Small-time thief Calvin Doss has bungled a job. He was supposed to steal Jean Harlow’s makeup case. But by accident, he made off with a case that belonged to a B-list horror actor from the 1940s. Little does Calvin know, the makeup case contains more than just the usual pastes and powders. With one application, the powers of horror films’ most terrifying characters possess him, unleashing Calvin’s fury. Now it’s his turn to right some wrongs.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2014

About the author

Pseudonyms: Robert R. McCammon; Robert Rick McCammon

Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.

His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.

McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews

[Mort]

If you know McCammon, you know he is a brilliant writer and he will give you quality work.

This is a very short story and I didn't think I was going to write a review for it - maybe 4 stars...
Then there was that ending - SHEER FUCKING BRILLIANCE!

I want to recommend this story to any author who writes short stories:
That is the way you take a good story and make it fantastic!

[Peter]

Wonderful horror short story. Cal is stealing Jean Harlow's makeup box from a museum. But it turns out that he got the wrong item as it was falsely labeled by some museum staff. Now the antiquary who ordered the theft doesn't want to pay Cal anything. Whose makeup box is it then? Well, it is the box of horror actor Orlon Kronsteen (yes, we already heard about him in 'They Thirst', a novel I just finished reading). But what is so special about the box and its ingredients? What can this special makeup do if you apply it on your skin? I bet you want to find out about this special makeup box and the fate of the main character Cal. This story is really well done and quite eerie at some passages.

[Charles van Buren]

Makeup mix up

Publication date: June 4, 2014
Publisher: StoryFront
Language: English
ASIN: B00JXQDHKC

What if you were a thief? What if you were a thief tasked to steal a valuable makeup case which had belonged to Jean Harlow? But the museum made a mistake. Switched cases. And you got a case which had belonged to a horror movie actor noted for his makeup. But was he just an actor...or something much more? Something much worse. You are about to find out.

My first Robert McCammon short story will not be my last. I downloaded this story via Kindle Unlimited.

[Kim]

Quick, creepy story! Love McCammon.

[Gareth Is Haunted]

A fantastic short story from McCammon. This guy can do not wrong. There isn't much more I can say without spoilers.
Check this one out!

[Benji's Books]

Going into any novel or Short story by Robert McCammon, you know it's going to be good. This was no exception.

Calvin is a man given the task to steal a case of makeup from a museum, but ends up stealing the wrong one. No, he ends up stealing one belonging to a horror movie actor from the 1930s and 40s.

Because he stole the wrong one, the guy who put him up to the task says he has no reason to pay him for it. So Calvin's upset. Bored, he tries a little of the makeup on, after the box itself seemingly beckons him.

All of a sudden, he's filled with rage and wants revenge. With the application of the deceased actor's makeup, the ghosts of monsters' past possess him and he becomes those horrifying creatures of the silver screen!

Recommended!

I did NOT see that ending coming!

[Kate]

Nice and creepy- plus I love the potential of the makeup box and all the monsters it could transform someone into. Especially love the ending- classic! Read for R.I.P. IV short story challenge.

[Bill]

A reasonably entertaining horror short story about a man who steals a set of makeup. Not ordinary makeup, of course. This set belonged to a legendary horror actor from the 1940s. No real surprises in the plot, but it's a short little diversion.

[Debbie]

Clever little story. A thief intends to steal Jean Harlow's makeup case from a museum and instead gets a makeup case of a horror actor. This makeup seems to have its own agenda and creepy even brutal things start to happen. Quick and fun read!

[Gisele Siegmund]

This story kept me interested. I liked the concept of the makeup being representative of different aspects of the roles the actor(original owner of the makeup case) played.

[Andrew]

I have to admit that I had forgotten my love for the works of Robert McCammon (Wolfs Hour is one of my all time favourite books and one I love to go back to). But when I stumbled across this short story as part of a recommendation I received I thought why not.

Well I soon realised the errors of my ways - yes the "blurb" on this story pretty much covers what happens but it was fast paced and really good fun. There is definitely a "Twilight Zone" feel to the story and I think that sums up the fun there is to be had here.

There is little more to say really apart from the fact that it has re-invigorated my love for this author and now I want to go looking for more of his work (including in my own collection - I think it is about time I gave Boys Life a go!).

[Alondra Miller]

3.5 Stars

Nice short from McCammon. I read this previously in his collection, Blue World.

A loser steals an antique box, which turns out to be the wrong item to be stolen. Now, that he is stuck with this box, fate steps in. One bad decision after another leads our loser to a final and inevitable conclusion. Loser.

[Shandra]

A quick, short horror story. I loved the concept!!! This was a well executed story. I think this would be a great full length novel!!

[Daniel Volpe]

A very cool and interesting premise. A small time thief steals a makeup case that has monstrous power.

[Chris]

Huge fan of Robert McCammon. I liked this story. It gave off fun classic horror comic vibes. 3 stars means I like it. If it was anyone else I would have given higher but several of McCammon’s books sit on my all time favorite lists so I can’t give it the same rating as those.

[Tammy]

This was a great short story! The end was perfect! Reminds me I found the old McCammon.

[Brian Skinner]

A creepy story involving a makeup case. (as in cosmetics) where someone commits a crime.

[Joseph Barber]

Horror Makeup

What if makeup could make you evil for a short time? Or until you killed. Makeup that could turn you to something not human? Something, you only see in the movies!

[Drew]

I’m not normally a big horror fan but Robert McCammon is such a great writer I’d read anything he writes. This story doesn’t disappoint.

[Rhiannon]

A fun & scary short story!

Makeup is a short, easy read, yet packed with that signature McCammon brilliance of telling a well-rounded, disturbing tale. I love the way he seems to effortlessly intertwine horror with tragedy and comedy.
The story centers around Calvin Doss, a small statured thief that takes a job to steal a valuable makeup case. Calvin isn't the luckiest guy in the world and seems to be a doormat to most people in his life, but he is about to discover that there's something remarkable about that makeup case that could change everything...but for better or worse?
I recommend this story to any fan of horror, for sure. I read Swan Song years ago, but I've only recently been reading McCammon's other works and I have yet to run into one I haven't liked. He really knows how to tell great stories and I especially enjoy his use of metaphors to paint a picture. McCammon is the real deal.

[Murrel Lowry]

Headline (Required)

First work of Robert R McCammon for me in quite a while. Thoroughly enjoyed this short story today. I think Swan Song still tops my list for him but it was good to be back. I think his Matthew Corbett series may be coming up for me soon. Thank you sir. You continually give me many hours of gratification in the reading of your books. Many thanks.

[Mandy]

I am giving this four stars solely for the ending, because it's rare that something makes me react the way this one did. Short, sweet, and well written, that's how I like my stories, and this one was great. Perfect way to spend my break at work.

[Mike Holliday]

Fun little story with a classic EC comics feel.

[Lucas M]

Awesome

Another entertaining story with a quick pace and a great twist ending. The story reminded me of something Richard Matheson might write. HIGHLY recommended.

[Mageesgirl=Jan Hayes]

What a fun read! Plays with your mind a bit, great ending!

[Gloria Teague]

Good short scare

This was great. Short enough to read between household chores, interesting enough to hold my attention and spooky enough to stick with me for awhile.

[Margaret Bryan Halperin]

Great short story.

[Anthony Boccuzzi]

Very scary. Mr. McCain does it again.

[Maxine]

This was a fun short story. Robert is a great storyteller and I highly recommend a lot of his books and stories.

In this one Cal steals what he thinks is a box of makeup that once belongs to Jean Harlow however it turns out it belongs to a well known horror actor and things just get twisted from there.

What happens to Cal when he applies this makeup? You’ll need to read to find out. This isn’t a long review but I just want to say if you are looking for a really quick creepy yet fun short this is a good one to go for. Really good.

Thanks so much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻 Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews.

[Fuego]

I'm not sure if I'm too dumb to not find "Makeup" creepy or good or enjoyable like others, but I really don't like this short story. I read a part of "Boy's Life" and haven't finished it yet, but McCammon's writing in "Boy's Life" is much better than in "Makeup." It's been a very long time since I last saw direct thoughts, which I really hate, being used in a published book. I cringed hard at those "he thought" and "Calvin thought." Had them been used sparingly, I might've been able to tolerate them, but there's always a "but."