Halloween Makeup That Will Elevate Your Whole Look
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
While we love all of the holidays here at The Pioneer Woman (Christmas! Easter! The 4th of July!), we have a special place in our hearts for Halloween. What other holiday allows you to use your wildest imagination to create a costume and become a completely different person for a night? While rocking a costume is definitely enough to transform your appearance, to really level up, you should add some spooky and sparkly makeup as well!
You can try something on the scary side of the spectrum (like a spider or zombie look) or the sweet (think: colorful fairy or melting ice cream styles). You can even get your little ones in on the fun with a bumble bee or kitten tutorial. (They're even easier than DIY kids costumes and toddler Halloween costumes!) If you’re not big into wearing head-to-toe costumes, you can even don something simple and let your makeup act as a last-minute Halloween costume in itself. Even better, face painting definitely doubles as a fun Halloween activity.
Whether you have a huge Halloween party to attend or are heading out with your kiddos to trick-or-treat in style, check out these 40 makeup looks that are sure to be a hit this Halloween. And PS: If you have sensitive skin or plan to wear the makeup for extended periods of time, make sure you have a gentle cleanser to wash it off and invest in a good moisturizer to apply afterwards.
Mermaid Makeup
Take a cue from one of the most popular movies of the year and pull out all things shells and sequins! Though Ariel's makeup is a lot more simple, you can have some fun by adding colorful eyeshadow and scales for your night under the sea.
Witch Makeup
Talk about a magical makeover! There are so many witch costumes to choose from: wicked, good, mystical, and more. The most classic can be achieved by grabbing a witch hat and broom then sweeping on some dark makeup.
'80s Makeup
Halloween is the perfect time to take a trip back to your favorite decade. Did you know the '80s are Ree's favorite, too? Tease your hair to your heart's content then grab all of your brightest colors for eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick to have a totally tubular '80s Halloween Costume.
Vampire Makeup
It's classic for a reason! This absolutely vonderful vampire costume is complete with white face paint and dark eyes. Just don't forget the dribbles of blood from the mouth! You can even grab fake vampire teeth to really cause a scream.
Scarecrow Makeup
We like our scarecrows a little less scary and a lot more cutesy—much like this version that features the cutest sunflower eye makeup along with the classic scarecrow smile. A little face paint will have this one done in no time.
Barbie Makeup
This October, copy a look from the Barbie film or go with your own version of the iconic toy. As long as you're feeling pretty in pink, that's all that matters! Seriously, there's no better time to get all dolled up—pun definitely intended.
Haunted Scene Makeup
Who says you have to dress as a specific character on the spookiest day of the year? Instead, try your hand at some ghoulish glam that's sure to steal the spotlight at any upcoming Halloween parties. We're loving the look of this classic haunted house scene.
Mime Makeup
If you don't already have the necessary clothing items to look the part of a mime, it's super simple to find a striped top and black beret (or any other black hat). For your makeup, start with a white base then get creative! You can draw details like hearts or triangles around your eyes with black eyeliner.
Get the tutorial at Dream A Little Bigger.
Zombie Makeup
Here's another classic costume that can easily come together to make you the scariest trick-or-treater on the block. Grab some old clothes and rip them up until you have your desired walking-dead look. As for makeup, you'll want to make yourself look... well, dead! Pale and bloodied face makeup with stitches will do the trick.
Beetlejuice Makeup
Transform yourself into the ghost with the most this Halloween with white face makeup, purple eyeshadow, and of course, all-over splotches of green. You can use a sponge to dab those on. Leave your hair alone or go all out with a green wig. Now, it's showtime!
Pink Flamingo Makeup
Pretty in pink! You could create a full-on flamingo costume to pair with this rosy look created by Sivan Ayla, or just wear all pink and add in a few feathers for good measure.
Get the tutorial at Sivan Ayla.
Forest Elf Makeup
This tutorial is great for littles and adults alike who want to dress up as forest elves this Halloween. Some green eyeshadow, curly designs, and a woodland-inspired crown will pull your look together.
Get the tutorial at Cuckoo4Design.
Sugar Skull Makeup
Inspired by the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, this sugar skull look requires black and white face makeup and a steady hand when drawing the beautiful blue floral designs.
Sally Makeup
Here’s a makeup look that’s oh so easy to apply, and looks just spooky enough. You’ll put on a hint of white face makeup for that washed-out appearance of Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and then use a black face paint stick to create the stitches. A red lip completes it.
Cracked Pumpkin Makeup
This jack-o’-lantern look is so cool! Armed with orange and black face paint, you’ll follow a few easy steps to create this gourd-geous look.
Get the tutorial at Kindly Unspoken.
Kitten Makeup
This Halloween makeup is as classic as it comes, and it’s totally appropriate for little ones. Use a face paint stick to draw on freckles, whiskers, and a tiny black nose to make your kiddo the cutest kitty-cat in the neighborhood.
Poison Ivy Makeup
For a fresh out of the forest look, follow this tutorial. Green eyeshadow and ivy leaves create a plant-like effect, while spray-painted red hair provides a touch of whimsy.
Get the tutorial at My Poppet Makes.
Unicorn Makeup
No one is too old to wear unicorn makeup, from kids to grown-ups! Start with a unicorn horn headband, then make the look come to life with sparkling pink eyeshadow, matching pink lip gloss, and a few rhinestones.
Spider Eye Makeup
For a style that will make everyone's skin crawl, follow these steps to draw a creepy spider over one eye. And for even more drama, pucker up for a crimson pout.
Get the tutorial at Kindly Unspoken.
Lion Makeup
Here’s some makeup that's sure to cause an up-roar at your Halloween party. Use black, orange, and white face paint to make your kid look just like a lion that’s ready to pounce.
Cinderella Makeup
If only you had some mice and birds to help you get ready! For a sweet and simple makeup look that’s worthy of Cinderella, turn to this tutorial.
Get the tutorial at …love, Maegan.
Bunny Makeup
Some-bunny looks adorable for Halloween! For a last-minute (but still completely charming) costume to pull together in a flash, have your little wear a pink and white dress, a pair of ears, and bunny makeup that’s a piece of (carrot) cake to create.
Glow-in-the-Dark Makeup
Perhaps you don’t want to go with a specific look for your Halloween makeup. In that case, simply show off some glow-in-the-dark glitter makeup that can be applied all over your face or just on your eyelids.
Classic Clown Makeup
You're probably used to seeing scary clowns on Halloween, so why not mix things up with this cute clown makeup look from Laura Jade Prado! It's equal parts nostalgic and endearing.
Get the tutorial at Laura Jade Prado.
Bumble Bee Makeup
For a makeup look that will have the whole neighborhood buzzing, buy some yellow and black face paint and draw stripes on your little one to match their bumble bee costume.
Colorful Fairy Makeup
Embrace your inner fairy with this colorful makeup tutorial. The look will be spot-on with a flower crown and a pair of pointed ears.
Get the tutorial at Kindly Unspoken.
Lady Head Vase Makeup
Mimic those face vases that are so popular these days with this dramatic makeup look. You’ll need plenty of white face paint and a classic red lip to match the roses in your hair.
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
Circus Clown Makeup
To inspire plenty of "awwws" around the neighborhood, make your child look exactly like a vintage clown. The makeup is super simple—a few dots of red face paint are all you need. Pair this look with a retro clown hat and some tulle.
Enchanted Owl Makeup
For a fanciful owl that you won’t find anywhere in nature, use this tutorial to create “feathers” on your face in shades of purple, pink, and teal.
Get the tutorial at Slashed Beauty.
Spooky Skull Makeup
For a skull-inspired style that's just as glamorous as it is spooky, apply black makeup around your eyes and some carefully placed adhesive rhinestones. Complete the look with a striking black floral headpiece.
Alice in Wonderland Makeup
Want to create a clean, simple makeup look for your little Alice in Wonderland? Simply apply a touch of face powder and some pretty red lip gloss.
Melting Ice Cream Makeup
This ice cream look is a real scream! Go through the steps and learn how to attach a real ice cream cone to your face and then apply colorful face paint to make it look as if it’s melting.
Get the tutorial at Kindly Unspoken.
Cute Deer Makeup
Oh, deer—this might be one of the cutest Halloween makeup looks we’ve ever seen. For a girly take on this beloved woodland creature, use false eyelashes, black face paint, and a few freckles—and don’t forget the antlers!
Get the tutorial at Honestly Jamie.
1920s Flapper Makeup
If you’re planning to dress up as a 1920s party-goer this Halloween, you can’t go wrong with makeup that’s drawn right from the decade: dark red lips and the biggest eyelashes in town.
Minnie Mouse Makeup
Mickey is sure to approve of this makeup look! Start with ears, a polka-dot skirt, and a black shirt, and top off your costume with cute yet glam makeup.
Get the tutorial at Kindly Unspoken.
Marionette Doll Makeup
To put a creepy twist on a classic marionette doll look, refer to this tutorial that’ll show you how to make the “cracks” and achieve those amazing eyelashes.
Get the tutorial at Heart & Dwelling.
Frankenstein Makeup
Not into wearing a ton of makeup for Halloween? This Frankenstein look is light on the makeup, with just a little white face paint (or white powder, if you prefer), gray eyeshadow, and drawn-on stitches.
Cat Makeup
For a purr-fect makeup look that effortlessly partners with an all-black outfit and cat ears, go with this tutorial.
Get the tutorial at Twist Me Pretty.
Mad Hatter Makeup
To look like the Mad Hatter’s twin, you’ll need an orange wig, an eyeshadow palette filled with bright hues, and white foundation.
Get the tutorial at South Lumina Style.
Face Paint Kit
If these Halloween makeup looks feel too advanced for you, that’s alright—you can always pick up a face paint kit that makes application a breeze, thanks to a book of step-by-step tutorials, brushes, and helpful stencils.
You Might Also Like
