If you’ve been telling me how SOON it is until Halloween, I hear you! 💀
Staying spooky and stylish for the holiday isn’t always easy, so I’m always on the lookout for a look that delivers on both fronts. Enter skeleton makeup—one of this season’s standout trends. It’s spooky, chic, and comes in just about every style you can imagine.
Read on to see my favorite skeleton makeup ideas that will keep you looking cool and looking fabulous.
1. Half Face Glam Skeleton
Source: @artistry_by_alyssa
I’m a big fan of this look because it doesn’t have to be totally perfect. Actually, the more imperfect you make it, the better the final result will be.
So, you don’t have to worry about making both sides of your face match exactly. You could just do a half and half design, which is such a great spooky face for Halloween.
Plus, it’s literally half the work, and that makes it a total winner in my book.
2. Scary Skeleton Look
Source: @daunting_beauty
If you’re trying to recreate this look for your own Halloween parties, here’s a little tip. You should start with your foundation.
I know that sounds pretty obvious, but a lot of makeup artists actually begin with the eyes and work from there.
Putting down the white base first just makes your life so much easier when you’re about to layer on some heavy and thick black eyeshadow.
3. Bloody Half Face Skeleton
Source: @bilintinamakeup
Here is a fun little tidbit for you. Halloween’s origins go back about two thousand years, when the Celtic people considered October 31st to be the final day of their calendar.
The pagan holiday, known back then as Old Hallow’s Eve, was a time for celebrating the dead. So why not look the part while you’re celebrating? This makeup is just incredible.
When you think about how it’s just a clever mix of black and white makeup, you have to admit it’s a tempting one to try for your own look this year.
4. Burned Skeleton Face
Source: @astmog_mua
This one has a completely different vibe, and you’re definitely getting into special effects makeup territory with this skeleton style. It’s a half and half face, but it has way more detail than the others you’ve seen.
I absolutely love how the blood was added along the edge of the face. It creates the appearance that her skin and flesh have been totally ripped away.
5. Pop of Gold Glitter
Source: @thepowderrooom
Did you know that if you break a bone, it will actually repair itself as long as it’s set correctly? That’s what a plaster cast does; it holds the bone still so it can fuse back together.
We are all learning so much this season! On that note, here is a fantastic way to customize and modernize your skeleton makeup.
Just add a little bit of glitter! Who says being dead means you can’t have a little sparkle?
6. Half Skull Makeup Look
Source: @jadedeacon
Speaking of spooky faces, here’s a fun fact from the movie Halloween. The iconic white mask wasn’t actually created to be a scary mask.
Michael Myer’s face was really a William Shatner mask that they just painted white for the film. You will want to have a few tools handy if you are hoping to recreate these cool skeleton ideas.
You should grab an angled eyeliner brush, some white eyeliner, an eyeshadow brush, black eyeshadow, black liquid liner, and a foundation that is very light. The lighter, the better. Think ghostly!
7. Grey Skeleton Makeup + Flower Crown
Source: @getreadywithvivienne
And if you want to add some sparkle with glitter, you can also bring in some flowers. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a little dead skeleton flower girl?
This style gives you the perfect combination of cute and creepy vibes, and I think that’s why I’m so into it.
Another major perk is that you still get one ‘normal’ eye, which means you can show off your amazing eye makeup skills. I am so in love with this Halloween look!
8. Couples Skeleton Makeup
Source: @_heartwork_
While we’re talking about bones, did you know that an adult body has 206 of them? That isn’t even the wildest part. When you’re born, you actually have 300 bones.
Over time as you grow up, some of them fuse together. The good news is that this look is a perfect choice for a couple to wear. It’s unisex and works for his n’ hers, plus it’s pretty macho.
Trust me, your significant other will be totally on board.
9. White & Gold Skeleton Makeup
Source: @_facebeat_
If you’re in the market for a simple way to create these skeleton makeup ideas, this one is for you. It really just uses brown and white eyeliner with a little touch of glitter mixed in.
You can even leave your eyebrows totally on point. It’s one of those half and half looks I can definitely get behind. You get to rock some amazing eye makeup while still giving off that perfectly spooky vibe.
10. Pin Up Skeleton
Source: @jamiegenevieve
To really nail the whole skeleton look that goes with this makeup, you’ll need to find the perfect outfit, but that part is usually much easier.
Black booties with some black leggings or jeans, a black top, and a leather jacket is how I’d style it. If you have some jeans and a top that are cheap enough to replace, you could even grab some white fabric paint and get creative with some bones.