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Anyone who has the audacity to tell you that a makeup-only Halloween costume is somehow lazy deserves a good jump scare. Some of the most well-thought-out, elaborate, and beautifully executed Halloween looks we’ve ever seen have been face-focused. That being said, if you kinda sorta forgot to make a plan and nothing in your wardrobe is coming together for a last-minute costume, all you need is an hour and an idea to wow your fellow partygoers with a Halloween makeup look that will impress without dressing up.
When it comes to the spooky, whimsical, and incredibly cute makeup looks below, there's a solid chance you already have a lot of the makeup needed to make them happen. But don’t worry, we have recommendations for the products to use just in case you don’t. And while some are certainly over the top, you don't have to know how to do any intricate special-effects makeup techniques to pull them off frighteningly well. There are a variety of skill levels on display here, so whether you’re a seasoned makeup artist or an eager beauty beginner, there’s something for you among these 25 scary-good makeup-centric costumes.
Delores from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
While we may not appreciate the trope of a soul-sucking ex-wife, we definitely love the beauty—and ease—of Monica Bellucci’s Delores in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Makeup artist Natasha Jane Wood pieced together the vengeful character by drawing staples with Mehron Paradise Makeup AQ in Metallic Silver over extra-pale foundation. She went intentionally messy with her mascara and gave it a glam finish with Nyx Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen. Don’t forget to use black eyeliner to draw stitches around your previously disembodied ring finger!
Sassy scarecrow
As dazzling as it is adorable, makeup artist Kelly Hernandez’s scarecrow makeup is cute enough for the kiddos but has a certain sophistication that makes it fun for the grownups, too. It’s the gold glitter on her lids, don’t you think? The rest of the look is largely matte—Hernandez laid down white face paint before tapping on brown and orange eye shadow where she wanted patches. She then outlined the swatches of color in black (using a combination of Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outer Space and Colourpop Graphix Ink Liner in Lovefool) for a stitched look.
“We Can’t Be Friends”
It may be simple, but this Ariana Grande-inspired makeup is instantly recognizable, thanks to a catchy hit song. Wood (yep, the same makeup artist who nailed Delores—the girl’s got range!) took cues from makeup artist Ash K. Holm’s work on the We Can’t Be Friends video, using a white gel liner pot (we like Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 76) to create a scalloped, petal-like effect around her left eye. You can keep the rest of the makeup neutral, and while blonde hair is optional, we highly recommend wearing a middle-parted ponytail like the one Grande paired with this look.
Glam Joker
"I wanted to create a look that would sum up the way I understood the character Arthur Fleck," says makeup artist Adaeze Ebeku of the main character in Joker: Folie à Deux. "That understanding is what I would describe as 'the art of sane madness.'"
This look can easily be re-created with white base makeup, colorful eye shadows you likely already have in your collection (though we can't help but recommend the Best of Beauty Award-winning Ami Colé Lid Joy Liquid Matte Eyeshadow), as well as some pink lipstick, gold highlighter, and face gems.
Ripe banana
How clever is this fruit-inspired costume by makeup artist Anya Tisdale? "You can turn into anything with makeup—even inanimate items like fruit," she says. To re-create this look, brush yellow eye shadow (like ColourPop's Pressed Powder Shadow in Tiki) from your brow bone to your cheekbone. Then, using a soft brown eyeliner (we like MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy for this), draw on your bananas’ spots.
Prince Zuko
Makeup artist Joanna Crauswell used Mehron Makeup's SynWax and Cream Blend Sticks to create Zuko's signature burn around her eye in Avatar: The Last Airbender, but you can easily re-create this look at home even if you don't have the urge to splurge on special-effects makeup. We think a deep-red eye shadow like MAC Powder Kiss Eyeshadow in Werk, Werk, Werk topped with a shimmery highlighter (we like Revlon's Skinlights Prismatic Powder Highlighter in Daybreak Glimmer) will work just as well.
The Sims character
This video game-inspired Halloween face paint look by makeup artist Jacina Pender couldn't be more spot-on—plus, it's so easy to put together in a pinch. All you need is some colorful eye shadow, false lashes, a temporary hair color and green contact lenses.
"I envision myself and everybody else as walking Sims, sometimes due to some of the conventional aspects and structures in our lifestyle and how we can influence each other unknowingly," Pender says about her inspiration for this look. “Plus, I just love the Sims games in general.”
Neon tears
Crying in the club doesn't have to look sad. In fact, it can look totally fabulous. Glasgow, Scotland-based makeup artist Aimée Stanton takes shedding tears to a whole new level with her neon-pink tears, sparkly pink eye shadow, and pink-tinted brows, all of which you can achieve with a multiuse pigment like Danessa Myricks Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment in shades like Primary Red and Joy.
Powerpuff Girls-inspired eyes
Makeup artist Stefanie Arreola, better known as Stenie among her followers, painted hearts onto her eyes using pink, orange, and dark-red eye shadows. (You can find the perfect colors for this in the Juvia’s Place The Sweet Pinks Palette.) She says that the colors and infinity hearts from The Powerpuff Girls—a cartoon fixture of the late ’90s and early 2000s—inspired her to create this look.
Hearts as detailed as the ones on Arreola's lids definitely require a steady hand and, more importantly, patience. "If you're timid about trying the look because the hearts look difficult, I'd say a big tip is to use a small craft store brush and a water-activated liner to draw them on," Arreola says. "Take your time and have fun."
If you're on the hunt for a water-activated or gel eyeliner that'll give you maximum control, Beauty Creations Dare to Be Bright Gel Pot in Let’s Go Party is a great place to start.
Werewolf
Countless makeup artists have created their own take on werewolf looks with special-effects makeup, but Nevada-based makeup artist Olivia Hernandez proves you can easily turn into a werewolf with products found in your collection at home. “Achieve the look by using a combination of concealers and eye shadow to create the fur-like contours of your face,” she says.
For a concealer that won't budge, try using Maybelline New York Age Rewind Concealer (another Best of Beauty winner) like Hernandez did.
The Purge mask
Put your favorite nude eye shadow palette to a terrifyingly amazing new use with this The Purge-inspired mask illusion by British makeup artist Belinda Maines. All you need are some neutral shadows or pencils—not to mention some serious blending skills—to re-create this creepy-cool costume. Creamy, buildable pigments such as Jones Road Beauty The Face Pencils will certainly help prevent off-the-bat mistakes.
Violet Beauregarde
Regardless of whether you prefer Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—the greatest debate of the century, obviously—you have to admit that Ellie Addis came up with a pretty genius, easy way to emulate the gum-chewing, turning-purple Violet Beauregarde. The look went so viral that Addis made a tutorial to help others re-create it. The key? A shimmery blue or purple highlighter, like r.e.m. Beauty Interstellar Highlighter Topper in Miss Neptune, gives the rich indigo shade some dimension.
Pixel perfect
This pixelated face makeup by Canadian makeup artist Cassidy Lake is made easier with some pre-cut stencils—one of a larger square to create the pixels on your face and one that's smaller that you can use on your lips. Use it to outline your squares before filling them in with cream or powder eye shadows. Consider the Best of Beauty Award-winning Makeup By Mario Master Mattes palette or the Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork Palette—both of which feature a range of blendable neutral shades.
Chucky
Warning: The following scary Halloween makeup look is not for the faint of heart. Fans of all the Child's Play films and Chucky TV series are gonna want to hop on this look ASAP. Makeup artist Chloe Gemma started with a solid base using Catrice HD Cover Liquid Foundation and E.L.F. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer. Once your base is complete, add some maroon-colored lines across your face and some silver stitches drawn on top of those with a metallic eyeliner pencil to look just like the evil doll.
Safety pin
A safety pin might not sound like the most glamorous Halloween face paint look—most of the takes we’ve seen lean very gory—but June (@visiblejune on Instagram) makes a pretty convincing argument for it with her Pop art interpretation. Have your favorite glitter, some purple lipstick, and false lashes on deck for this one and you'll be good to go. Be sure to add some bright pink blush to your cheeks and the tip of your nose to mimic June's supercool, flushed look.
'90s cool girl
Makeup artist Erica Laurane’s tribute to ’90s beauty trends, emphasized to the extreme for Halloween, features the decade’s signature thin eyebrows and darkly lined, glossy, nude lip. We'll be using Dior Lip Glow Oil in our interpretation of this look.
Twiggy
All you really need to look like a '60s supermodel is your favorite black liquid eyeliner. "I was very much inspired by Twiggy and her iconic makeup style," explains makeup artist Betsy Wells-Deamer. "In the 1960s, it was all about big eyes, big hair, and bright colors. To reflect this, I used a black gel eyeliner to create a downwards flick, making the eyes appear larger and more rounded." We love Too Faced Killer Liner in Killer Black to achieve that. For an added bright-eyed effect, line your waterline with a white, like Clinique High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner in Bright White.
Pointillism
This creepy makeup-only Halloween costume is perfect for anyone who loved stippling exercises in art class as a kid. Plus, it doesn't require advanced makeup skills to create dots all over your face. All you really need is a liquid liner like Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner to create this dotted extravaganza. Okay, you'll need a lot of patience, too.
Strawberry babe
Maybe dressing up as a strawberry for Halloween hadn’t crossed your mind. (Same.) But content creator Khadija Nur makes a good case for a makeup-only, strawberry-inspired look that you can do yourself with just a few products, including the Mehron Paradise Makeup AQ palette. Make sure to complete the look with a punchy red blush and subtle faux-freckles.
Bikini Bottom
Makeup artist Annie Snyder posted her take on Spongebob Squarepants-inspired makeup and it's perfect for Halloween. The look, which features Bikini Bottom's iconic backdrop on her lids, requires bright, highly pigmented eyeliners—give Urban Decay 24/7 Inks Easy Ergonomic Liquid Eyeliner Pen a try—and a steady hand.
Vecna from Stranger Things
Whenever you feel like you’ve been waiting forever for the return of Stranger Things, remember, it takes over seven hours just to transform Jamie Campbell Bower into Vecna. But don't worry—this look won't take nearly as long. Marvel Maull created a purple-red eye shadow and brought the look to life by adding lines along her face and neck to replicate the villain’s creepy, Upside Down-singed skin. Essence Blend & Line Eyeshadow Stick in Oh My Ruby would be ideal for this effect.
Hades
Hades from the 1997 film Hercules inspired Lana Yanette's Halloween makeup look, which features eye shadow that depicts the villain’s iconic hair. Yanette used two now-sold-out eye shadow palettes, but there's no need for panic. You can duplicate the fiery gradient by sweeping on the extra-cool shades of the nine-pan ColourPop Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Makeup Palette in Blue Velvet. Of course, the look wouldn't be complete without the sinister smile, which can be created using black lipstick and ColourPop's Super Shock Shadow in Moon Daisy as a topper.
Devilish behavior
Makeup artist Sharon Uwu opted for a graphic-liner take on devilish makeup. Uwu says this is "a great choice if you want to go for a low-effort Halloween look but still look cute." Our go-to red eyeliner to re-create this is the Haus Labs Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Brick Matte.
Goth Bratz
Hop in on a more classically Bratz makeup look for this spooky season. Content creator Lizzie achieved the unmistakable lip by overlining and tapering the corners of her mouth into points. She also didn’t hold back on the high-contrast cut crease to make her eyes look super big.
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson's '90s looks are iconic, including this one re-created by Gina Esler-Box. A hallmark of Anderson's beauty from this era is her skinny eyebrows, but don't go grabbing your tweezers. Elser-Box created the effect by layering on concealer and adding a thin brown line using a brow product, like L.A. Girl Smudge-Proof Creamy Brow Pomade.
Additional reporting by Devon Abelman, Kaleigh Fasanella, Sara Miranda, and Melony Forcier.
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