Halloween is just around the corner and costume planning is in full force. What are you dressing as this year? Perhaps a “Jersey Shore” cast member or the latest celebrity?

According to a recent Bing-commissioned survey of Americans, nearly 40 percent of respondents indicated that they are abandoning store-bought costumes for a do-it-yourself (DIY) costume. Forty three percent of respondents stated that they believed that purchasing a Halloween costume to wear for one night is too expensive (nearly a fourfold increase over last year’s 12 percent).

Designing your own costume can be a tough task to accomplish, so Bing is here to help with time-and money-saving tips from styling experts. Bing Shopping has partnered with celebrity stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, who have created costumes for Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, and more, to offer guidance on how to easily create a look that fits your budget, fashion sense and DIY skill level.

  • Reality TV Time! Love them or hate them, reality starts have become just recognizable as movie and rock stars. Whether you go with Pauly D or Snooki, dressing as your favorite reality star from “Jersey Shore” can be easy and cheap.
  • Party (and dress) like a rock star. Some of our favorite costumes are inspired by what stars wear onstage – find the most classic identifiable look from a performance or music video.
  • Makeup cures all. Makeup and hair styling are a great way to create a fun and easy costume. Master the makeup and the rest of the costume falls in line!

For additional tips and tricks to inspire you this Halloween, visit http://www.BingHalloween.com. Check out the Bing Shopping site, which offers an all-in-one online shopping experience that will help you make better, faster, more confident shopping decisions, so you can spend less money and time planning and more time having fun!