Halloween Makeup Ideas: From Simple Face Paint to Dramatic Horror Looks

Makeup is the fastest way to transform a costume : or to become the costume. A sheet and a pair of sunglasses is a joke; a sheet with a painted gaunt skull face underneath is a ghost story. Whether you want five-minute whiskers or a full special-effects wound, these looks will get you there.

The basic kit

Never use craft paint, acrylics, permanent markers or school markers on skin. They can cause rashes and are hard to remove.

Before you start: safety first

• Patch-test each product on your inner arm 24 hours before Halloween.
• Look for products that are cosmetic grade and follow FDA color additive rules.
• Keep glitter and loose pigment away from eyes.
• Avoid sharing sponges and brushes to prevent infections.
• Don't use decorative or non-prescription colored contact lenses : eye-care experts warn they can cause serious damage.

Easy looks (5–15 minutes)

Black cat

1. Wing out black eyeliner past the outer corner of each eye.
2. Paint the tip of the nose black, extending a thin line down to the top lip.
3. Add three or four whisker lines on each cheek, plus small dots at their base.
4. Optional: dark lipstick and a touch of gray shading on the cheeks.

Vampire

1. Use foundation one or two shades lighter than your skin, or a light dusting of white powder.
2. Contour cheekbones with gray or purple shadow.
3. Smoky dark eyes; red or deep plum lips.
4. A single drip of fake blood from the corner of the mouth.

Witch

1. Choose a green, gray or natural base.
2. Dramatic dark eyes and brows.
3. Dark lips : black, plum or deep green.
4. Add a fake wart with a dot of brown makeup or a small bit of scar wax.

Friendly face paint for little ones

Pumpkin cheeks, a bat across the forehead, a spider web from one eye, or a small rainbow. Keep it to the cheeks and forehead for comfort.

Intermediate looks (20–40 minutes)

Half-face skull

1. Paint one half of the face white with a sponge.
2. Outline the eye socket in black and fill it in, softening the edge with gray.
3. Paint a black upside-down heart shape for the nose cavity.
4. Draw teeth extending across the lips onto the cheek: a horizontal line with vertical lines and a little gray shading.
5. Shade the cheekbone hollow with gray and black.

Full skeleton

Extend the skull across the whole face and continue with neck vertebrae and collarbones if your costume reveals them.

Floral skull (Día de los Muertos-inspired)

Inspired by the calaveras of Mexico's Day of the Dead. Use a white base, black eye sockets ringed with colorful petals, a black nose and stitched lips, with flowers, dots and swirls in bright colors. If you choose this look, treat it with respect for its cultural meaning : see Halloween Around the World.

Zombie

1. Apply a gray-green base unevenly, heavier around the eyes and under cheekbones.
2. Add purple-red shadow around the eyes and in the creases.
3. Dab dark brown around the hairline and jaw for "dirt."
4. Add scratches and a few drips of fake blood.

Advanced: special effects (45 minutes+)

Stitched wound

1. Draw a jagged line with dark red liner.
2. Surround it with purple and red bruising, blended out.
3. Draw black "X" or short line stitches across.
4. Add a little fake blood along the cut.

3D cut with scar wax

1. Warm scar wax between your fingers and press it onto the skin, feathering the edges until they disappear.
2. Cover with foundation to match your skin.
3. Slice into the wax with a spatula or the back of a butter knife.
4. Fill the cut with dark red cream, then fake blood.

Liquid latex textures

Layer liquid latex with tissue to create peeling or decaying skin. Always patch-test : some people are allergic to latex : and never apply near eyebrows without a barrier (it pulls hair on removal).

Make it last

1. Start with clean, moisturized skin.
2. Apply a primer.
3. Build color in thin layers, letting each dry.
4. Set with translucent powder after every major layer.
5. Finish with a setting spray.

Removal

Massage in an oil-based cleanser or balm, let it dissolve the paint, wipe gently with a warm washcloth, then cleanse and moisturize. Don't scrub. Use the dedicated remover for spirit gum or latex.

Pairing makeup with costumes

Makeup turns budget costumes into showstoppers. Pair these looks with the closet-based ideas in DIY Halloween Costumes and the popular characters in Best Halloween Costume Ideas. For trick-or-treating kids, makeup is often a safer choice than masks : find out why in Halloween Costume Safety.