If planning your costume each October feels more stressful than spooky, your makeup bag may be working against you.
Creating a great Halloween look is key, but if your ideas feel overwhelming it can lead to decision fatigue. I’m often asked about my own “Halloween prep” practices: how I decide what look to create, and what techniques to use.
Today I’m sharing some of my top Halloween makeup tips to create a look that is amazing.
1. Green Pop Art Zombie
Source: @beautygonebad
Okay, what can I even say about this one? It’s just so amazing, totally fantastic, and hello, it’s green! I love how the other colors, like the bold purple, orange, and blue, make that green base seriously pop.
A pro tip is to stick with those bright, bold shades to really nail the look. One of my favorite things is that the makeup doesn’t just stop at her face; it continues down her body.
This is such a perfect strategy if you’re thinking about wearing a low-cut dress.
2. Cartoon Half Man, Half Woman
Source: @kandeejohnson
Everyone has a soft spot for cartoons, but this is how you transform that love into a seriously freaky Halloween statement. I have to say, this look is one of my absolute favorites.
It isn’t traditionally scary, but it’s definitely freaky in its own unique way. Halloween is all about creating a little shock value, and this look completely delivers on that front!
Full tutorial on this look is below. Enjoy!
3. White Rabbit Makeup (Alice in Wonderland)
Source: @beauty.x.jenna
Anyone who knows the Alice in Wonderland story will totally appreciate this look. Just be warned, you are going to need a lot of white powder, so you might want to check your makeup stash before you get started!
A quick trip to the store might be in order. The key is to focus on your face but also carry some of those details onto your forehead and neck. And oh, don’t forget your props!
For even more photos of this look, you can check out Jenna’s Instagram page.
4. Unzipped Zipper
Source: @amberroseoatman
Oh my gosh, it looks like she’s been unzipped! This idea is absolutely perfect for all you girls out there who want to keep your everyday heavy makeup but give it a spooky Halloween twist.
This is the result when someone unzips you! I think it looks both great and totally scary. I’d suggest going for a dark purple lipstick to make the whole thing stand out.
Tutorial on this look is here:
5. Pixelated Face
Source: @ekilateral
This is giving me major computer game vibes! I know looking at it for too long might make your eyes go a little funny, but that’s totally the point. I would definitely practice this one a few times before the big night.
But here’s the good news: if you make a little mistake, I seriously doubt anyone will be able to tell, so just go with the pixels!
Similar tutorial on this look is here:
6. Half Face Skeleton Makeup + Red Glitter
Source: @maddskully
You can always go for the timeless skeleton vibe. The trick is to add cheekbones and use shading to really create the effect. You don’t have to commit to your whole face; this half-face style is just as impactful as a full one.
To get that bloody effect and add a little glam, use red glitter on your “makeup” teeth. It’s a great way to introduce some color!
7. Butterfly Skeleton Look
Source: @amazingmakeupart
Are you feeling something a little different this year? If you did the skeleton look last year and want to level it up a bit, then you have to check this out!
It’s a gorgeous butterfly-skeleton concept. It combines that heavy eye makeup with the delicate butterfly effect.
Need a video tutorial? Check it out below!
8. Gypsy Fortune Teller
Source: @beauty.x.jenna
I mean, gypsy fortune tellers and Halloween are just a perfect match, right? There is something so mysterious and even a little scary about them. I think it’s because they can see what’s coming in the future!
This makeup looks absolutely fabulous, especially with the dramatic, heavy eyes and forehead details. To finish it all off, wear some brightly colored eye contact lenses.
9. Terminator Makeup Look
Source: @brittanyivery
Calling all the Terminator fans out there! If you love the Terminator movies as much as we do, why not give this a try for Halloween? The secret here is making sure the metal sections actually look like metal by using a few different shades.
For the red eye, if wearing contact lenses isn’t really your thing, you can just use your makeup to draw a red dot on your eyelid. Just don’t forget to wink whenever you want to show it off!
10. Black Sugar Skull Makeup Look
Source: @dehsonae
Can we just take a moment to appreciate this look? I know it seems a little detailed and intricate at first glance, but it’s actually pretty easy to pull off.
You’ll want to begin with your base color, then draw on your pattern and start adding the shading. It doesn’t have to be an exact copy of this one, but I have to admit, this specific look is pretty amazing.