25 Halloween beauty looks you should try

Advertisement
25 Halloween beauty looks you should try
  • Choosing a Halloween costume can be tough, especially if you're set on wearing something that's totally unique.
  • To help you stand out from the crowd, we've rounded up some of the best Halloween beauty looks from makeup artists and enthusiasts on Instagram.
  • Superhero costumes, for example, can be achieved solely using makeup.
  • Classic Halloween creatures like vampires and pumpkins are also ideal.

If you don't know what to wear on Halloween, forget about traditional costumes. Instead, consider a detailed makeup look.

Every October, makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike take to Instagram to showcase their creativity, sharing everything from spooky, special-effects makeup to easy DIY looks.

And if you're not highly skilled in makeup application, that's OK. These looks are all customizable and can be tailored to your skills and the makeup you already own. To help you plan your look, we've rounded up 25 of the best Halloween makeup looks that you should try.

Advertisement

This Harley Quinn makeup look is easy enough to do it yourself.

This Harley Quinn makeup look is easy enough to do it yourself.
You can also color your hair with washable colored sprays from the drugstore. Leanne Cooper

Created by makeup artist Leanne Cooper, this Harley Quinn makeup look can be re-created with minimal beauty products. Simply apply red eye shadow to one eye, and blue eye shadow to the other.

For the finishing touches, smudge a classic red lipstick past your mouth to create a cartoonish smile, and create fake face tattoos using black liquid eyeliner.

Take your Minnie Mouse costume to the next level with this eye look.

Take your Minnie Mouse costume to the next level with this eye look.
You can style this makeup with any red-and-white polka dot outfit. Madison Bozarth

It's pretty common for people to throw on some ears and call themselves Minnie Mouse on Halloween, but makeup artist Madison Bozarth created a glam version of the classic Disney character.

For this look, use a black gel liner to draw small Mickey ears on your eyelids. You can go simple with the rest of your face makeup, but add a bold red lip to tie everything together.

Advertisement

You can use face paint to create a Spider-Man costume.

You can use face paint to create a Spider-Man costume.
You can also wear winged linger and false lashes with this look. Saige Allison

Don't worry if you don't have time to pick up a costume this year. Makeup artist Saige Allison created this Spider-Man look that can be achieved almost entirely with face paint.

It might take a little more time than putting on a Spider-Man bodysuit, but using red and black makeup to create the superhero's signature mask — paired with a purple lipstick and red eye shadow — will make your costume stand out from the rest.

Showcase your colorful personality with a fairy makeup look.

Showcase your colorful personality with a fairy makeup look.
You can buy a flower crown or make your own to complete this costume. Jessica Howes

Makeup artist Jessica Howes put her own spin on the traditional fairy Halloween costume by wearing rainbow face makeup.

To re-create this look, brush any brightly-colored eye shadow across your lids and lightly down your nose. Use a white gel eyeliner to create dots around your eyes, and finish the look with a shiny nude lip color.

Advertisement

This makeup gives the impression that you jumped straight out of a Wonder Woman comic.

This makeup gives the impression that you jumped straight out of a Wonder Woman comic.
You can also turn yourself into other comic characters by drawing graphic lines. Joann Cruz

Wonder Woman is often one of the most popular Halloween costumes each year, but that shouldn't stop you from dressing as her. If you want to make your outfit stand out, follow the lead of makeup artist Joann Cruz.

To re-create her Wonder Woman-inspired beauty look, draw lines across your face with a liquid eyeliner pen. Once your face is sculpted to look like a comic character, use some golden face paint to create your crown, and pull it all together with a matte burgundy lipstick.

Scare your friends this Halloween by drawing giant spiders on your face.

Scare your friends this Halloween by drawing giant spiders on your face.
Don't forget to add some shimmer in the inner corner of your eyes. Emma Gooding

Makeup artist Emma Gooding cleverly used a classic smoky eye to create spiders on each side of her face.

If you'd like to try this look at home, use an eyeliner pencil in any color to draw eight legs stemming from each eye. To make it extra bold, pair a dark lip liner with a lighter lipstick to create an ombré effect.

Advertisement

Share your zodiac sign with the world on Halloween.

Share your zodiac sign with the world on Halloween.
Each side of the face features different makeup for this Gemini-inspired look. Anastasia Vassiljeva

This Halloween, take some inspiration from makeup artist Anastasia Vassiljeva and use makeup to show off your zodiac sign.

Of course, the zodiac you choose will change how you re-create this look, but for the best results, choose colors and styles that represent your personality.

If you don't want to wear a full costume, get festive with your makeup.

If you don't want to wear a full costume, get festive with your makeup.
For some extra fun, use a bright orange pencil to line the top of your lip. Emily Mulgrew

Whether you have to work on Halloween, or you just don't feel like wearing an elaborate costume, makeup artist Emily Mulgrew has the perfect solution for you.

Mulgrew ditched a costume completely and instead created a bold, winged look using orange eye shadow and black eyeliner. She also drew bats along her cheekbone, which can be customized with any traditional Halloween character.

Advertisement

You don't have to cover yourself in purple face paint to dress as Violet Beauregarde from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

You don't have to cover yourself in purple face paint to dress as Violet Beauregarde from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
You'll want to make sure you buy some bubblegum for this costume. Ellie Addis

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" has the potential to inspire tons of Halloween costumes, but makeup enthusiast Ellie Addis found particular inspiration in the bubblegum-chewing Violet.

To re-create her look, brush a bright purple eyeshadow across your nose, packing a lot of color on top and blending the excess out toward your cheeks. Add a blonde bob wig, pack of bubblegum, and blue jacket, and people will be doing double-takes.

This galaxy makeup will work for a number of costumes.

This galaxy makeup will work for a number of costumes.
Metallic and holographic lip colors are perfect for cosmic costumes. Phumudzo Mudau

Regardless of what space-inspired costume you'd like to wear this Halloween, makeup artist Phumudzo Mudau has got you covered.

To replicate her galactic look, simply use blue eye shadow on one eye and pink eye shadow on the other. Blend the two on each cheek, and use white eyeliner to create stars and dots across your face.

Advertisement

Animal looks can be simple and easy to create.

Animal looks can be simple and easy to create.
Go easy on the brows and eyes to create this look. Abby Collier

Makeup enthusiast Abby Collier created a deer-inspired makeup look that's perfect to wear on Halloween.

After applying your favorite foundation, use a white eye shadow crayon to create spots across your forehead. From there, go for a shimmery neutral shadow on your eyes, and use a dark eye shadow to create the appearance of a deer nose and lip.

If you're dressing as a scarecrow this Halloween, keep your outfit simple and go all out on your makeup.

If you're dressing as a scarecrow this Halloween, keep your outfit simple and go all out on your makeup.
You can also wear a wig to make your costume really stand out. Shonna Mallia

Makeup artist Shonna Mallia created this scarecrow makeup look with bold bronzer and dark lipstick. Highlighter, blush, and false lases are also used to add some glam to the look.

To replicate the most crucial aspect of this look, use a black eyeliner pencil to create stitches everywhere — from your forehead to your nose and lips.

Advertisement

Make sure you have plenty of glitter for your unicorn costume.

Make sure you have plenty of glitter for your unicorn costume.
A bold lip color of your choice will tie this entire look together. Yara Debs

For those dressing as unicorns this October, take inspiration from makeup enthusiast Yara Debs. To re-create her glitzy unicorn look, all you'll really need is your everyday makeup, a bright lipstick, and lots of glitter.

To keep your makeup shining throughout the entire holiday, prime your face with a tacky primer, and use a sponge to spread a rainbow highlighter across the side of your face.

This ice cream-inspired makeup will take some time to apply.

This ice cream-inspired makeup will take some time to apply.
You can create this look with face paint or eye shadow. Katie March

Melted ice cream might not be your first costume choice, but this look from makeup enthusiast Katie March will push it to the top of your list.

It's worth noting that this costume may be easier for advanced makeup artists, but anyone can create their own version of the look by using brightly-colored face paint, eyeliner, and eye shadow.

Advertisement

You can dress as a clown without being scary.

You can dress as a clown without being scary.
Use the same metallic lipstick on both your lips and your nose. Kaitlyn Belin

Makeup enthusiast Kaitlyn Belin created a look that puts a pink glam twist on the traditional clown costume. To wear this look, simply brush pink eye shadow on your forehead down to your checks in a C-motion.

Use that same shadow to coat your eyelids, and draw triangles above and under each eye with a purple eyeliner pencil. You can create the rest of the look with drugstore face paint.

Re-create one of Ariana Grande's most famous looks with this makeup.

Re-create one of Ariana Grande's most famous looks with this makeup.
A blonde ponytail wig will complete the look. Kendra Davis

Ariana Grande is known for her signature high ponytail, but she changed things up for the release of her single "No Tears Left to Cry." Makeup enthusiast and cosplayer Kendra Davis not only perfectly replicated her low pony, but also matched the rainbow on Grande's face.

To re-create Davis' Grande-inspired look, simply use body paint to create a rainbow across your face, and enhance it with winged liner and a subtle lip gloss.

Advertisement

This look is perfect to wear to a work function or family Halloween outing.

This look is perfect to wear to a work function or family Halloween outing.
You can put a creative spin on a traditional witch costume. Sophie Sieh

Dressing as a witch may seem like a tired choice, but makeup artist Sophie Sieh created an autumnal witch look that is more glam than wicked. The best part is that you can easily replicate this look by making use of pumpkin-colored shadows, matching blush, and winged liner.

To create the stars, simply take a white eyeliner pencil and draw them wherever you'd like.

Those dressing as Princess Shuri from "Black Panther" will want to check out this makeup look.

Those dressing as Princess Shuri from "Black Panther" will want to check out this makeup look.
You can use body paint or purchase a costume to complete this costume. Lucia Marte

Makeup artist and cosplayer Lucia Marte created the perfect Princess Shuri look that works for both conventions and Halloween. It's also easy enough to apply yourself.

Simply apply purple, pink, and yellow eye shadow to your lids, and use a white cream eyeliner to create dots across your face. Pair with a pink nude lip, and you're set.

Advertisement

You don't need a ton of fake blood to pull off this vampire look.

You don't need a ton of fake blood to pull off this vampire look.
Paired with all-black attire, this makeup will make turn you into a picture-perfect vampire. Emma Shepherd

This vampire look created by makeup artist Emma Shepherd is simple but effective. To replicate the look, start with foundation that's a shade lighter than you normally wear to give you a ghoulish effect.

Then pack a black shadow on your eyelid, and create lines with a burgundy lip liner down toward your cheeks. Finally, color your lips red and pop in some fake fangs to complete the look.

Relive your favorite '90s memories with this beauty look.

Relive your favorite '90s memories with this beauty look.
The bolder your makeup for this look, the better. Nia Mulan

Created by makeup artist Nia Mulan, this makeup look will give you the perfect excuse to sing your favorite '90s songs all Halloween night.

To re-create it at home, stock up on some neon eye shadow, bright lipstick, and black liquid liner. To create the classic '90s shapes across your cheeks, use highly pigmented eyeliner pencils to draw squiggles, triangles, and any other geometric shapes.

Advertisement

With this makeup look, trick or treaters will surely confuse you with actress Madelaine Petsch.

With this makeup look, trick or treaters will surely confuse you with actress Madelaine Petsch.
If your hair isn't naturally red, a wig will really pull this look together. Alina Shayk

There's no doubt that "Riverdale" character costumes have become popular over the years. If you want to take part in the craze — and particularly want to dress as Cheryl Blossom — check out this look from makeup artist Alina Shayk.

The most important part of Blossom's look is her red hair and matching lips, so a shiny red lip gloss and simple smokey eye are really all you need for this costume. And if you decide to wear a wig, make sure you color in your eyebrows to be the same auburn shade.

Put your own spin on Captain America's classic suit.

Put your own spin on Captain America's classic suit.
You only need three colors — red, white, and blue — for this makeup look. Taylor Wilkinson

Tons of people dress as their favorite superheroes on Halloween, but this look created by artist Melanie Wilkinson might make you forget about them and dress as Captain America instead.

Of course, you'll need a lot of blue face paint to create Steve Roger's mask. But for the rest of your makeup, stick to a simple look consisting of mascara, eyebrow products of your choice, and a bold red lipstick.

Advertisement

There can never be too many Disney costumes on Halloween.

There can never be too many Disney costumes on Halloween.
Wearing a bright red wig is necessary for an Ariel costume. Cassie Wells

Disney princess costumes are always popular on Halloween, but makeup artist Cassie Wells took her "Little Mermaid"-themed look to the next level with spot-on makeup.

If you, too, want to dress like Ariel this year, take advantage of any red makeup you own — wear a bright red lip, and use red eye shadow for your brows. For your eyes, use green and purple to match Ariel's fins and shell bra.

You can transform yourself into an "Avatar" character using blue makeup.

You can transform yourself into an "Avatar" character using blue makeup.
Dressing like an "Avatar" character gives you the freedom to be creative with your look. Megan Graham

Makeup artist Megan Graham, for example, opted for one of the film's leading characters, Neytiri.

While most of the look can be achieved using blue body paints and eye shadows, you'll also need a pink lipstick and shadow to create dimension on the nose and lips.

Advertisement

You can put a human twist on classic pumpkin makeup.

You can put a human twist on classic pumpkin makeup.
You'll only need a few colors to create this pumpkin-inspired look. Malia Khan

It's common for people to paint their faces like jack-o-lanterns on Halloween, but makeup artist Malia Khan has a unique approach.

By drawing the pumpkin design across only half her face, she created the illusion that she's half-human and half-pumpkin. She also used face paints and shadows in shades slightly darker than her skin tone to create the appearance of wrinkles.