Not sure what to be this Halloween? Instead of joining a group of pals as yet another Snapchat filter, why not stand out with a costume that’s part Ancient Egyptian, part badass babe? Cleopatra is the ultimate Halloween look, and with a little patience, some careful eyeliner, and well-chosen accessories, you’ll be able to craft up a Queen-of-Egypt-inspired Halloween costume that’s sure to blow everyone away. And since not everyone is a DIY pro, we’re going to show you how to do a Cleopatra costume no matter whether you’re a beginner or a master-level costumer.
Now that we’ve covered the basics — with tutorials for every novice, intermediate crafter, and budding expert — it’s time to leave it to the DIY pros. Here, you’ll learn how to accentuate your Cleopatra Halloween costume with next-level garments, bling to the nines, eye-catching accessories, and an expert level face beat inspired by the one and only Liz Taylor as Cleopatra. So what’re you waiting for?
You’ll need:
- a wig (with bangs)
- old prom dress (thrift store)
- sequin shawl
- snake arm cuff
- Eye of Heru bracelet
- gold leaf crown
- gold collar necklace (or a gold belt from thrift store)
- headpiece adornment (or an old belt from the thrift store)
- snake earrings (local costume shop)
How to put it all together:
1. Try your hand at styling. Even though you’ve bought a wig with bangs, there’s a good chance that they’re not cut to Cleopatra’s liking. Lay your wig flatand use a pair of ultra-sharp scissors to snip the bangs a tad shorter than they already are. The goal isn’t so much baby fringe as it is micro bangs, so be sure to cut them about an inch up from your brows. To make sure you have the right length, try the wig on first to get a feel for how much to cut.
2. Customize your crown. Take your thrift store belt or chain, break it in half, and hot glue it to the sides of your gold leaf crown for a little extra bling.
3. Accentuate with accessories. Wrap the gold belt or collar necklace around your neck. You can secure it with a chain or create a latch system using Velcro. Next, insert your snake earrings, wrap your arm cuff around your bicep, and snap your bangle onto your wrist. Remember, more is more when it comes to Cleopatra.
4. Master your makeup. Begin with our flawless face base makeup. Once your base is complete, dust a royal blue eyeshadow across your eye lids — for your creases, use a slightly darker shade of the same color, and a slightly lighter, brighter shade for your brow bones and inner eye corners. The goal is to make your eyes really pop. After you’ve slayed your Cleopatra-inspired statement eye, create the queen’s signature brows with black face paint. Try not to be intimidated, as the dark, high-pigmented color will help bring her bold look to life. To keep things looking natural and not chunky, however, be sure to brush your brows out. Next comes eyeliner. Start at the inside corners of your eyes, take it around the rim, and outside the lower lash line to create an elongated, winged effect. For serious pharaoh vibes, bring the inside corners of your eyeliner slightly onto the sides of the bridge of your nose, while extending your outer edge for a more geometric shape. (Since this eyeliner look is a tad trickier, make sure to have Q-Tips and micellar water on hand for any touch-ups.) Round out your look with a set of voluminous false lashes, a swipe of bronze blush, and a classic nude lip for the perfect take on the Queen of Egypt’s unde-NILE-ble beauty.
THE FINAL LOOK
Looking for more good costume inspo? Head to our Halloween page.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Production, Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup: Misty Spinney
Photography: Kurt Andre
Model: Misty Spinney
Additional reporting by Rebecca Norris
(All photos by Brit + Co)
Originall published on September 1
