Halloween is finally (!!) around the corner. Alongside watching Hocus Pocus on repeat (it should be a legal requirement, really), gearing up for the special Strictly Halloween episode and consuming all the sweets and choc, there’s also one major question: which makeup look should you go for?
Finding a super cool Halloween makeup look can be easy – but finding one that doesn’t require professional artist-level skills? Not quite so simple. It’s the one time of the year that you can go all-out and yet, it can feel a bit overwhelming deciding which look to do that won’t look… well, naff.
So, we’ve dug around on social media to find some of the most impressive yet simple Halloween makeup looks that you can create at home. From Bridgeton and Sleeping Beauty‘s Maleficent to more traditional options like a mermaid or funky pop art, we’ve collected a wide range of Halloween makeup looks to suit all skill levels. And no one will ever know that it was a last-minute decision…
Circus ring leader
OK, this looks hard, but it actually requires beginner-friendly makeup skills, I promise.
Done by Halloween makeup queen Desi Perkins, this look started with Desi applying her usual glam makeup as the base. When she was done, she put on Face Lace stickers on one side of her face and down her neck to look like an exposed skull. Yes guys, those are STICKERS. Genius.
Mermaid eyes
Why not keep the rest of your makeup paired back, and channel the ocean across your lids?
This blue-turquoise eyeshadow look is beyond beautiful. Just remember to add a high-shine glossy lip to finish. Et voila.
Creepy (yet still glam) clown
Clowns have been a popular makeup choice for Halloween since the dawn of time, especially after the revival of IT.
While this lewk does require some skills with blending, it’s not as hard as it looks. Influencer Danielle Marcan posted a step-by-step Instagram Reel of how she achieved this clown makeup.
Plus, you can pick and choose which shades you want to use and the result is truly worth it.
Webbed eyes
If all you have at home to work with is black clothes (no, bc same), this webbed eye is the perfect makeup look for you. It’s super simple and requires a no-fuss costume.
All it takes is drawing a few lines from your eye to the tops of your cheekbone (with a black or coloured eyeliner, ofc) and connecting them with an upside-down ‘u’. Add a red lip and some fangs and call yourself a vampire… voilá!
Bridgerton (like, any character!)
Bridgerton is a classic and an incredibly easy Halloween look to pull off. If I’m being totally honest with you, the makeup requires minimal-to-no effort. I mean, your everyday glam would work just fine! It’s all in the intricate updo hairstyle and a stunning silky empire gown. E Z.
70s Disco Queen
Sequin eyes, high-shine lips, and glossy skin… This makeup look is giving us Studio 54 vibes – and we are so here for it.
Take inspo from one of our all-time favourite makeup artists (@PaintedbyEsther) and layer face gems over a neon eyeliner to give lids a disco-ball look.
Complete your look with a 70s-inspired outfit (think: rainbow glitter flares and a feathery halter top). Who says Halloween can’t be glam?
Pop art
If you aren’t keen to go down the scary route, opt for something bright and fun like a pop art look. The key to this is a good selection of brightly coloured eyeliners and pigments – use them to outline your features, add freckles and overline the lips. And of course, to make these ‘pop’, highlight them with a bright white.
Andy Warhol vibes to a T.
Ursula, The Little Mermaid
I don’t know about you, but when I think of fear in my childhood, The Little Mermaid‘s Ursula always springs to mind.
But if you want to recreate the look of Disney’s most popular villain, it’s not as hard as it might seem. Apply purple-toned eyeshadow (or even face paint) all over your face and contour with a darker shade. Clearly, she was a fan of 90s beauty trends, judging by her blue eyeshadow, red lip, and extremely thin eyebrows. Maybe Ursula has been a beauty icon all along?
Storm, X-Men
In all honesty, this Halloween makeup look is all about the hair. Find a white/platinum silver wig and you’re already halfway there.
For your makeup, you can go for a glam look like Makeup by Shayla, or keep it natural like Halle Berry’s interpretation in the X-Men movies. Either way, you’ll nail it if you get those eerie contact lenses.
Beth Harmon, The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambit is one of the biggest Netflix shows, so channelling your inner Beth Harmon could be a great idea.
To step into the shows of the chess whizz, all you need to do is scribble white eyeliner onto your lower lash line to re-create Anna Taylor-Joy’s wide eyes, draw on an exaggerated Cupid’s bow and top it all off with a red wig.
It might help to carry a chessboard around, too, but you might want to glue down the pieces.
Via Cosmopolitan UK