THE TOP 10 IDEAS FOR HALLOWEEN MAKE UP
Spooky season is officially here, which can only mean one thing… it’s time to transform into your creepiest (or most glam) self. No costume? No stress. Halloween is the ultimate excuse to experiment with the best Halloween make up looks—think bold red lipstick, graphic eyeliner, glitter-drenched lids, and face gems galore. This month, there are no rules (except more is more).
With the clock ticking, we’ve done the spellcasting for you and rounded up the best Halloween make up looks that are guaranteed to trick and treat.
In This Article:
- Wicked Witches
- Morticia Addams
- Go Skeletal
- RAWR
- 90s Nostalgia
- Be A Vamp
- Classic Cat
- Fairycore
- Harley Quinn
- BRAT SZN
- Halloween Make Up FAQs
THE BEST HALLOWEEN MAKE UP LOOKS
WICKED WITCHES
With Wicked II making us fall in love with Glinda and Elphaba all over again, why not channel these wickedly witchy BFFs this Halloween? If you’re going green as Elphaba, lean into it—load up on vibrant pigment with eyeshadow or face paint to sculpt your features, then finish with a swipe of green eyeliner to define your pout (yes, weird but it’s Elphaba approved). Prefer to sparkle like Glinda? Keep your base soft and matte, add a rosy flush of blush on your cheeks and lids, then top it off with Ariana Grande’s signature feline flick and, of course, a perfectly placed crown. After all, this Halloween there’s only one question: are you a good witch or a wicked witch?
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MELANCHOLIC MORTICIA ADDAMS
Move over, Wednesday—it’s Mum and Dad’s turn to play. Morticia and Gomez might just be the ultimate couples’ costume and one of the best Halloween make up looks that’s instantly iconic (and beginner-friendly). For Morticia, start with a lighter foundation to create that signature porcelain base, then go bold with a dark, smoky eye. Don’t forget her trademark contrast: a sweep of white shadow against the black, paired with strong, sculpted contouring. To seal the deal, layer on a deep red lipstick, pile on the gloss, and voilà, you’re serving full-on gothic glamour. Just don’t be surprised if people start calling you cara mia all night...
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GO SKELETAL
For a quick, easy and spooky go-to, one of the best Halloween make up looks requires just your black eyeliner and a few everyday essentials. Striking and more editorial, it starts with your usual complexion make up. Then, using black eyeliner and eyeshadow, carve out your cheekbones, contour your nose and sketch in those skeletal lines. It’s high-impact with seriously low-effort.
RAWR
We’ve seen leopard print on everything from jeans to jumpers, so why not bring this fashion statement to our faces too? Fun, unique and slightly less scary, this is one of the best Halloween make up looks for when you’re not much of a fan of the spooky stuff. Start by dipping into your favourite brown eyeshadow palette to create leopard-inspired spots across your temples and forehead, softening the edges with a lighter shade for a more realistic effect. For the nose, sweep a deep brown across the tip and underside for that feline finish. Keep contouring subtle but don’t be shy with bronzer—warm tones are your best friend here. To finish, a swipe of your favourite nude lipgloss and you’re ready to rawr.
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90s Nostalgia
The ’90s revival isn’t slowing down anytime soon, so this Halloween why not channel your inner Nancy Downs and start your own little coven? As the ultimate witch from the cult classic The Craft, her look is peak ’90s make up nostalgia. To nail it, hide those 2020s bold brows and embrace the decade’s defining feature: the pencil-thin arches. Pair them with a slicked-back bun, a grungy smoky eye, and an overlined brown lip liner. All that’s left to do is play light as a feather, stiff as a board.
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BE A VAMP
Whether you’re team Edward, Damon, Stefan or Dracula himself, we’ve all had a deep desire at some point in our lives to become a vampire – and Halloween is the perfect time to live out that fantasy. With a pale complexion, serious contour techniques and a dazzling deep shade of red on your lips, it’s the simple yet sophisticated way to bring your vampire dreams to life.
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CLASSIC CAT
We can’t talk about the best ideas for Halloween make up without mentioning the classic cat. The ideal last-minute look, this feline takes a matter of minutes to mimic. Wings, whiskers and then you’re ready to go...
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FAIRYCORE
From forest fairy to otherworldly elf, it’s time to sprinkle your magic dust and channel your secret sprite. Open to interpretation, this Halloween make up look can be as mystical or spiritual as you want – all you need is bright shadows, metallic highlighters and a contour kit of dreams.
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HARLEY QUINN
With just four colours and two ponytails needed, DC Comic’s Harley Quinn is ideal when it comes to ideas for Halloween make up. It requires minimal effort but offers maximum payoff. If you can smudge on some cosmetics and stick stickers on your skin, you’ll be able to ace the look in record time.
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BRAT SZN
Good news! Charli XCX–inspired brat glam isn’t just for summer. Proof? Nothing says spooky quite like neon green pigment. Holding the title for the most recent idea for Halloween make up, this look requires super-skinny eyeliner, fluorescent green eyeshadow and bold, black lip stains. Alexa play, 360 by Charli XCX.
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HALLOWEEN MAKE UP LOOK FAQs
Is eyeliner good for Halloween makeup?
Yes, eyeliner is probably the best make up product for creating a range of Halloween make up looks. From lining your eyes to creating skeletal bones, cat whiskers and even Maryline Monroe’s iconic beauty spot, a black eyeliner is the ultimate Halloween make up must have.
Should you put foundation under Halloween makeup?
Whether you put foundation on under your Halloween make up depends on the look you’re emulating. If you’re using face paint and are going green for Elphaba, then we wouldn’t suggest also using foundation. If, however, you’re only doing a quick cat look or something that needs a base, then yes, you should be using foundation first.
What helps Halloween makeup stay on?
The best way to ensure your Halloween make up looks stay locked in place is by using setting spray and a face powder. If you’re going all in on a look and really need it to last, we suggest using a setting spray after every layer of make up you apply. Then, once you’re done, lightly dust over face powder and finish with a final spritz. This should keep your look looking freshly applied regardless of where your night takes you.
Now you have all our best Halloween make up looks to get you through your haunted hours, it’s time to think about how you’re going to wipe away your masterpiece. Head over to our guide of the best cleaning balms to remove all signs of your darkest disguise… Enter if you dare!
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
