70 Halloween Makeup Ideas To Try This Year
ICYMI, we live for Halloween. All year we look forward to pumpkin decorating, costume DIYing, and trick-or-treating. But, most of all, we’re always on the hunt for unique and innovative ideas to slay our favorite October holiday. Lucky for us, sometimes all we need is playfully dramatic Halloween makeup to really pull a look together. Scroll on for 70 of our favorite original Halloween makeup ideas — ranging from easy-to-achieve to jaw-droppingly advanced — and prepare to take your disguise to the next post-worthy level.
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Pop Art Makeup
Channel your inner Warhol with a creative take on an iconic art movement. (via Brit + Co)
Taylor Swift
The only thing you REALLY need to dress like our favorite popstar is bright red lipstick and bangs, if you're feeling adventurous. Sounds good to us.
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Harley Quinn
She may have been corrupted by the Joker, but Harley is still H-O-T. (via Brit + Co)
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Bowie Emojis
Pair an Aladdin Sane lightning bolt with your own karaoke version of “Ziggy Stardust” for a Halloween costume that’s sure to turn heads. (via Brit + Co)
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Jungle Cat
Definitely not for the intro level makeup artist, but major makeup #goals. RAWRR. (via Brit + Co)
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Wonder Woman
It’s your turn to become the feminist-friendly box-office sensation that we all need. (via Brit + Co)
Shepard Fairey Painting
A tribute to Obama is always worthwhile in our book, especially when it’s this creative.
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Jem
Clearly, we are as obsessed with ’80s cartoon characters as we are with Halloween makeup. Light pink hair, a simple star, and a bold pink pout will bring your Jem look to life. (via Brit + Co)
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Chill
Go crazy with all the blues to nail the icy half of everyone’s favorite Netflix and chill costume. (via Brit + Co)
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Madame D from Grand Budapest Hotel
Even though Madame D isn’t in the film for long, we quickly fell in love with her — especially her style. This elderly makeup look may seem tricky, but you can totally handle it! (via Brit + Co)
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Jellyfish
Not only will you look like one of the most magical sea creatures to exist, but you’ll be protected from the rain if the sky decides to open up too. (via Brit + Co)
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Witch Makeup For Halloween
The OG Halloween costume. Use a little green face paint accented with mossy contouring and a purple lip to get witchy with it in no time. Bonus points if you wear it to see the Wicked movie too ;) (via Brit + Co)
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Half Sugar Skull
Go halfsies on your DIY sugar skull so you don’t have to worry about keeping it symmetrical. Add your favorite lip color and a creative costume for a memorable look. (via Brit + Co)
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Robot
You don’t have to wear a spooky costume for Halloween shenanigans; there are getups that can be pretty and a little creepy, too. Take this colorful robot, for example. It blends equal parts artsy beauty with the futuristic fierceness that is sure to get the party talking. (via Brit + Co)
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Clown Makeup
A creepy clown has always been a go-to Halloween costume, but this year, why not put a creative, colorful spin on it? Featuring pops of bright blue, lime green, and hot pink, makeup artist Fernanda Machado’s original creation achieves those spooky, artistic vibes you’re longing to channel. (via Brit + Co)
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
They fight crime. They eat pizza. They’re named after Italian Renaissance artists. They’re Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! And, let’s face it, they’re the coolest reptile warriors in town. (via Brit + Co)
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Zombie Makeup
As much as we love channeling our inner Wonder Woman, pulling off a slightly gorier zombie costume presents the Halloween makeup challenge we crave. Here we’ve created an approachable zombie makeup tutorial so you can still feel like a babe while staying true to the holiday’s spooky vibe. (via Brit + Co)
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Creepy Clown
No matter if you’re going as a clown or as a mime, this kinda creepy, kinda cute look will achieve all of your Halloween dreams. (via Brit + Co)
True Colors
Show us what you got with this playful, technicolor makeup DIY that’s definitely open to interpretation.
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Cassie Howard from Euphoria
This is one Halloween makeup look you can wear even after Halloween's over. Check out our Euphoria makeup tutorials for more inspo, or create your own eye makeup look. Whatever you do, don't forget the rhinestones! (via Brit + Co)
Rainbow Skull
Brighten up an otherwise dark and spooky look with not one, but all the colors of the rainbow.
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Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy
A makeup sponge is key when creating this simple mean green look. (via Brit + Co)
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Gorgeous Ghost
Swap the normal ghost sheet for a makeup look that everyone will love. Or wear this as Narnia's White Witch! (via Brit + Co)
Trick-or-Treat
We’ll always take some sweets on Halloween — especially when they’re in the form of colorful makeup.
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Queen of Hearts
Are Tim Burton fans attending your bash? Then they’ll definitely approve of this look. After all, why not be a queen for Halloween? (via Brit + Co)
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Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy
This raccoon look is pretty dang convincing. Even if you opt for the store-bought costume, this makeup adds that homemade touch we live for. (via Brit + Co)
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Millennial Pink
We’re getting Zenon vibes with plenty of sparkly, metallic makeup to match. (via Brit + Co)
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Modern Vampire Makeup
Fangs will forever be in fashion. But that doesn’t mean you have to have blood dripping down your chin to let people know what you are. You’re a classy vampire. (via Brit + Co)
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Skeleton Makeup from “David S. Pumpkins”
If you’ve yet to see SNL‘s skit, then TBH, that needs to be the first item on your checklist. Recreate this extremely goofy twist on the traditional Halloween character for guaranteed all-night laughs. (via Brit + Co)
Pop Art Zombie
We live for out-of-the-box zombie looks, and it’s fair to say that this show-stopping peekaboo number hits the mark.
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Bombshell Skeleton
Hoping to harness a spooky mood that doesn’t sacrifice style? Look no further than this glam take on the undead. (via Brit + Co)
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Zoya the Destroya and Liberty Belle from GLOW
Contouring is key when it comes to creating these wrestler babes’ game faces. Who will win: Zoya or Liberty Belle? (via Brit + Co)
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Fairy
This costume at its core is really simple to make, but adding makeup and hair accents will take it from makeshift to masterpiece. (via Brit + Co)
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Started from the Bottom Ilana from Broad City
Possibly one of the most epic episode intros of all time, season one’s “Apartment Hunters” begins with a music video short where Ilana looks like an absolute kween. (via Brit + Co)
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Olivia Rodrigo Sour Album Cover
All you need for for a Sour Halloween makeup look is your go-to makeup routine and some stickers from the craft store, and voilà! (via Brit + Co)
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Woodland Fairy
Minus the butterfly lashes, we would wear this look to a festival. All right, you got us. We’d wear the lashes too. (via Brit + Co)
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Wisdom Teeth Abbi from Broad City
Season two’s “Wisdom Teeth” episode is arguably one of the best ever. After Abbi gets her wisdom teeth pulled, she takes too much pain medication combined with a ganja-infused smoothie and passes out. Ilana then decides to paint her face with makeup while feeling particularly lit. This is THAT look. LOL. (via Brit + Co)
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Snapchat Puppy
The trick here is to take a screenshot of yourself in the makeup filter of your choice and then use that as your makeup inspiration photo. (via Brit + Co)
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Hocus Pocus Witch Makeup
Who's more iconic than the Sanderson sisters? Those lips, tho. (via Brit + Co)
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Dinosaur
Any makeup look that calls for finishing touches of glitter, wins. Tap it on anywhere that your little dino heart desires! (via Brit + Co)
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Snapchat Flower Crown Filter
Highlight heavily and contour softly to recreate this popular floral filter. Pro tip: wear lavender or gray contacts to complete the lewk. (via Brit + Co)
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Anna from Frozen
Begin by following this tutorial to get your base makeup for this look. For your bronzer, apply in a more circular motion to create her doll-like facial structure. Keep your blush bright pink but blend just on the apples of your cheeks. (via Brit + Co)
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Jailbird
Simple tutorial alert! We used the Cat Eye Kit to create these fierce, winged eyes. Continue the eyeliner line down the nose to make a bird beak. (via Brit + Co)
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Dalmation
Whether you’re one of 101 or just a solo, spotted pooch this Halloween, you only need to use black and white face paint to create a doggone (get it?) adorable look. (via Brit + Co)
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Rainbow
This is actually really simple to recreate — all you need are rainbow cream colors and a small paintbrush or makeup brush to apply them with. (via Brit + Co)
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Scarecrow
There’s nothing wrong with keeping it classic for Halloween. Amp up your traditional scarecrow outfit with a little face paint for a pulled-together look in 20 minutes or less. (via Brit + Co)
Zombie Skeleton
Our very own beauty editor knows a thing or two about how to wield makeup for a creepy-meets-gorgeous Halloween makeup look. Talk about a new meaning for the phrase “drop dead gorgeous.”
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Frida Kahlo
Trace on a unibrow and you’re well on your way to emulating Frida’s signature look. (via Brit + Co)
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Mermaid
Who says that your mermaid dreams have to stay just dreams? With the right pastel makeup and brightly colored mane, you’ll be giving off mermaid vibes in no time. (via Brit + Co)
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Elsa from Frozen
Channel Elsa’s icy cool vibes by using a much lighter foundation than you normally would paired with bright cream eyeshadow. (via Brit + Co)
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Ursula
Even if you’re not a makeup artist, you can easily recreate this look by capturing the shape of her face. Look at each part before you start painting yourself, and do each step in order. (via Brit + Co)
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Pot of Gold
Rainbow hair atop a highlighted and bronzed beauty look makes for one leprechaun-approved Halloween makeup idea. (via Brit + Co)
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Purrfect Black Cat
Being a black cat is always a solid option. Grab your liquid liner to DIY this look. Don’t forget the ears! (via Brit + Co)
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Snapchat Bee Filter
Dramatic lashes and yellow cream makeup go a long way when it comes to pulling off this popular — or should we say buzzy — Snap filter. (via Brit + Co)
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Vampire
This vamp costume is perfect for the dark-haired, busy gal on a budget. It doesn’t take a vampire’s life span (AKA eternity) to make — and with just a few easy steps you’re transformed into a picture-perfect creature of the night! (via Brit + Co)
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Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” Makeup
Katy Perry is undeniably the queen of costumes. So, why not take a page out of her book and DIY her standing ovation-worthy “Dark Horse” look? (via Brit + Co)
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La Croix
Pick your fave fizzy flavor and you’re sure to win the contest. After all, La Croix is life. (via Brit + Co)
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Mad Hatter
This makeup is an understated version inspired by the original and is really easy to recreate. And yes, those are fake eyelashes we used as eyebrows for the ultimate Halloween hack win! (via Brit + Co)
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Unicorn
Pastel hair and makeup, a flower crown, a white body suit, and a unicorn horn make for one seriously simple Halloween look. (via Brit + Co)
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Andy Warhol’s Marilyn
Head to your local beauty store and grab all the pink face paint you can to get ready to rock your inner pop self. (via Brit + Co)
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David Bowie
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” (via Brit + Co)
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Barbie
This makeup look is super subtle and totally customizable to your favorite shades. As long as you have a pink lip, you're good to go. (via Brit + Co)
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Trump
All you need is some bigly orange bronzer to make this your greatest Halloween look ever. No Halloween has ever been this great before. It’s the greatest. (via Brit + Co)
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The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s never too early to start the Christmas festivities. Try out this simple makeup DIY from The Nightmare Before Christmas to jumpstart the holiday season. (via Brit + Co)
What Halloween makeup look are you choosing? Be sure to ‘gram it and tag us @BritandCo.
This post has been updated.
