These makeup looks take Elf on the Shelf to a whole new level

Right now, parents all around the world are quietly regretting their commitment to the Elf on the Shelf ritual.

The relatively recent tradition involves placing a figurine of Santa's 'scout elf' - a spy, essentially - around the house every day in the leadup to Christmas.

“It's that time of year again, time to literally keep your eyes peeled for those naughty little elves,” the self-taught face painter writes.

Other looks involve the elf setting Zoe’s hair on fire, skewering her nose with a candy cane, and hanging off her bottom lip.

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The fire idea was inspired by a real-life incident in which Zoe singed her hair on a candle - with no input from her cheeky elf.

“This would be funnier if I didn't actually set my hair on fire last week. Luckily no real damage done,” she writes.