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The best Halloween makeup looks are the ones you can actually do the night of the party. They do not need a face full of paint or three hours at the mirror. A sharp wing, a dark lip, a dab of glitter or a set of whisker dots can turn a normal face into a character, and you can still eat, dance and take photos without ruining it.
Below are six Halloween makeup looks that look striking and stay realistic for an ordinary evening: a black cat, a vampire, a glam witch, a witchy eye with a star, a zombie bride and a red devil. Each one comes with a step by step approach, product tips, what to wear and how to take it off. If you are still picking a costume, our creepy costume ideas for women and spider queen costume are good places to start.
1. Black Cat Makeup With Whisker Dots and Winged Liner
The black cat is one of the easiest looks to pull off, and it is endlessly flattering. A sharp winged liner lifts the eyes, a handful of dots and short lines across the cheeks make the whiskers, and a pair of soft black ears finishes the picture. Freckles show beautifully through the look, so there is no need for heavy foundation.
Bustle’s easy Halloween makeup roundup includes a cat flick as one of its quick ideas, and it is easy to see why. The look is basically an eyeliner trend with a theme. Draw a thin line along the upper lid, flick it up and out, and use the same pencil to place the whisker dots in an arc on each cheek.
Dress the part with a black knit, a hoodie or a turtleneck, and you are done. For nails that match, our dark Halloween nails and short Halloween nails are easy to copy.
Best for: Last minute costumes, parties with a lot of dancing and anyone who wants a cute, easy look
Maintenance: Low, eyeliner and dots are quick to fix with a cotton swab
Styling tip: Use a waterproof pencil for the whiskers so they do not smudge when you laugh or hug.
2. The Vampire Look With a Dark Red Lip
A vampire look is about contrast. Pale skin, sharp winged liner and a deep red lip look dramatic against dark hair and moody light. It is also one of the most wearable Halloween makeup ideas, because most of it is already part of a classic evening face.
Bustle lists a vampire vixen among its easy Halloween looks, and the formula is simple. Start with a matte, slightly pale base, add a precise black wing and fill the lips in a dark, blood red or burgundy shade. Smudge a little brown shadow under the lower lashes for a tired, haunted effect.
Add a collar, a lace blouse or a black blazer, and the costume is complete. If you are building a whole spooky outfit, take a look at our Halloween vibe fall outfits.
Best for: Evening parties, dark outfits and people who enjoy bold lips
Maintenance: Medium, dark lipstick needs blotting and a touch up after drinks
Styling tip: Line the lips first and fill them completely with the pencil so the color lasts through the night.
3. Glam Witch Makeup With Smoky Eyes and a Silver Moon
Witches do not have to be green. This glam version uses black smoky eyes, a deep plum lip and a single silver crescent moon on the cheek for a modern, mystical look. It is the sort of makeup that works at a costume party and at a dinner afterward.
Smoke out black or charcoal eyeshadow along the lash line and blend upward toward the brow bone. Add mascara and a smudge of liner, then place the moon with a tiny dab of lash glue or a face sticker. A deep plum lip, matte or satin, completes the effect.
A black hood or a lace collar finishes the look, and your hair can be left loose and wild. For more witchy ideas, our black hair Halloween ideas show how to style dark hair for the season.
Best for: Stylish costumes, photos and anyone who likes a dark romantic look
Maintenance: Medium, smoky eyes need a primer and a smudge proof liner
Styling tip: Press a bit of silver shimmer under the eye to echo the moon and make the eyes look brighter.
4. Witchy Purple and Green Eyeshadow With a Gold Star
If a full face feels like too much, an eye look might be all you need. Purple and green shadow is a nod to classic witch colors, and a small gold star under the eye adds a magical touch. It is playful, easy and works with a scarf, a hood or a knit snood.
Sweep a muted purple across the lid and a soft green through the outer corner, blending where the two colors meet. Finish with thick, black lashes and a star sticker. Keep the rest of your face simple with a neutral lip so the eyes stand out.
This look suits daytime Halloween events, school pickups and office parties, where a full costume is not appropriate. Our coquette Halloween costumes also work well with a soft, sparkly eye.
Best for: Daytime events, workplaces and people who like subtle seasonal touches
Maintenance: Low, powder shadow is easy to blend and touch up
Styling tip: Use a sticky base or a bit of balm under the powder so the color looks richer.
5. The Zombie Bride With Smudged Eyes and a Veil
A zombie bride is a haunting, theatrical look that relies on texture instead of color. Pale, almost gray skin, smudged dark circles around the eyes and a faded berry lip give the impression of someone who has been waiting a very long time. The tattered veil does the storytelling.
Build it with a pale base, a gray or charcoal eyeshadow smudged around the eyes and a dull mauve lip. Add a few small hollows with a bit of brown on the cheeks, and finish with a torn lace veil. The effect is eerie but beautiful, and it photographs very well.
This is the look for people who love a dramatic transformation. If you want to extend the idea, our gothic nail art ideas and soft Halloween nails add the finishing touches.
Best for: Costume parties, photo shoots and anyone who loves a theatrical look
Maintenance: High, it takes time to build and some work to remove
Styling tip: Use a cream product for the dark circles and smudge it with a brush for a natural, worn look.
6. The Red Devil With Sharp Liner and a Deep Red Lip
Red from lid to lip is a classic devil look, and this version is surprisingly chic. Instead of heavy face paint, it uses a sharp red wing and a matching red lip for a bold, graphic effect. A red knit or scarf reinforces the theme.
Bustle includes a devil look among its easy Halloween ideas, and a red liner is the quickest way to do it. Use a liquid or gel liner, draw the wing slightly longer than you usually do and match your lipstick to the tone. A pair of small horns on a headband adds the finishing touch, if you want one.
Red makes freckles and warm skin pop, so keep the base light and natural. Check out our holiday makeup looks for more ways to use bold lips and liners after Halloween is over.
Best for: Parties, couple costumes and anyone who loves a graphic red look
Maintenance: Medium, red liner needs a steady hand and a clean-up swab
Styling tip: Place a strip of tape from the outer corner of the eye to the end of the brow to guide a sharp wing.
How to Choose a Halloween Makeup Look
Start with how long you will be wearing it. For a party that runs for hours, choose a look built on liner and lipstick, such as the black cat, vampire or devil. For a quick event, an eye only look like the witchy star is enough. For photos, go dramatic, with the zombie bride or the glam witch.
Then think about your outfit and your hair. Dark hair suits a vampire or witch, while a black cat works with any hair color. If you will be wearing a hat or ears, check that they do not smudge your makeup.
Finally, practice once before the big night. A test run takes about twenty minutes and tells you which products you need, how long it takes and what to fix.
The Products That Make Halloween Makeup Last
A primer or setting spray makes the biggest difference. A smudge proof liquid liner, a waterproof pencil and a long wearing lipstick will carry you through the night. Face sticker stars, gems and moons are easy to apply and remove, and a small tube of lash glue works for anything you cannot stick.
Keep a few cotton swabs and a mini makeup remover in your bag for quick fixes. If you are using white or gray face paint, set it with a light dusting of powder so it does not transfer onto your clothes.
Easy Last Minute Shortcuts If You Are Short on Time
Not every Halloween is planned. If the party is tonight and you have ten minutes, start with the one feature that does the most work. A black wing and a dark lip will carry a vampire, a witch or a cat. Add ears, a hat or a collar, and nobody will ask where the costume is.
Keep a small pouch of staples in your bag during October: a black pencil, a dark lipstick, a silver or gold sticker sheet and a pair of cotton swabs. With those four things, you can build a witchy star eye in five minutes or a cat in six. A glitter gel on the cheekbones also gives you an instant party face.
If you wear glasses, choose looks that sit around the eyes instead of on the lids, like whisker dots or a star under the eye. Keep liner thin and avoid heavy shimmer near the frames, which can smear on the lenses.
Matching Halloween Makeup to Your Eye Color and Skin Tone
Blue and gray eyes look striking with silver, charcoal and cool purple, which suits the glam witch and vampire. Green eyes pop with plum, burgundy and copper, which makes the red devil and the witchy purple look especially effective. Brown and hazel eyes can wear almost anything, but gold, olive and deep green bring out the warm flecks.
For skin, fair tones can handle high contrast, so a pale base and a red lip look bold. Medium and deeper skin tones glow with rich berry, plum and brick, and metallic gold and copper show up beautifully. Whatever the tone, check the lip color in daylight, because dark shades can read either too orange or too cool under indoor lights.
If you plan to use white or gray face paint, test a small patch on your jaw first. Some formulas look ashy on deeper tones and need a softer wash of color, or a cream base underneath.
Pairing Halloween Makeup With a Fall Outfit and Hairstyle
A good Halloween look does not have to mean a full costume. A black knit, a plaid blazer and ankle boots make a strong base for any of these faces, and our plaid blazer outfits show how to style one. A leather jacket also adds an edge, which you can learn more about in our leather jacket outfits for fall.
For hair, loose waves keep the face open, while a half up style looks neat and clean. Try our half up half down hairstyles to keep strands out of your eyes while you are dancing.
Hair, Nails and Outfits That Complete the Look
Hair can be as simple as loose waves or as styled as a witchy bun. Our black hair Halloween ideas are a good place to look for inspiration. Nails are an easy way to finish the look, and dark Halloween nails and soft Halloween nails cover everything from gothic to subtle.
For clothes, black knits, lace, velvet and leather all suit these looks. A cozy hoodie works for the black cat, a collar for the vampire, and a long dress for the zombie bride.
Removing Halloween Makeup Without Irritating Your Skin
After the party, take your time. Start with a balm or oil cleanser to dissolve liner, lipstick and any face paint. Follow with a gentle face wash and a rich moisturizer. If you used lash glue or stickers, soak a cotton pad in warm water and hold it on the area for a few seconds to loosen the adhesive.
Skip harsh scrubs, especially if you have used bright pigments. A second cleanse with a soft cloth is enough, and a calming mask the next day will help your skin recover.
Halloween Makeup Cheat Sheet
| Look | Main feature | Difficulty | Best with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black cat | Wing and whisker dots | Easy | Black knit and ears |
| Vampire | Pale skin, dark lip | Easy | Collar, lace |
| Glam witch | Smoky eyes, silver moon | Medium | Black hood |
| Witchy star eye | Purple and green shadow | Easy | Scarf or snood |
| Zombie bride | Smudged eyes, pale skin | Hard | Veil, white dress |
| Red devil | Red liner and lip | Medium | Red knit, horns |
Five Quick Questions Before You Choose a Look
Ask yourself these questions the week before Halloween so the makeup is simple on the night.
How long will I be wearing this look?,Do I have the products I need, or do I need to buy any?,Will my costume or hat interfere with the makeup?,Have I practiced the look at least once?,Do I have a plan for taking it off safely?
A Simple Halloween Night Makeup Timeline
- An hour before you leave, prep your skin with moisturizer and primer. Apply a light base and concealer, then your eyes and the main feature of the look. Add lips last, blot and set with a light powder. Take photos in good light before you head out, and keep a small touch up kit in your bag.
Halloween Makeup FAQs
What is the easiest Halloween makeup look?
A black cat is the easiest. It needs only winged liner and a few dots, and it works with any outfit.
How can I make Halloween makeup last all night?
Use primer, waterproof liner and a long wearing lipstick. Blot and set the makeup, and keep a small kit for touch ups.
What products do I need for Halloween makeup?
Black liner, a dark lipstick, neutral and dark eyeshadow, a few face stickers and cotton swabs cover most of these looks.
Can I do Halloween makeup if I have sensitive skin?
Yes. Test products on your wrist first, use hypoallergenic formulas and remove everything gently at the end of the night.
How do I remove face paint and lash glue?
Use a balm or oil cleanser to dissolve the paint, and warm water on a cotton pad to loosen adhesive. Follow with a gentle cleanser.
What look suits a quick office party?
The witchy star eye or a simple black cat flick are subtle enough for work and still feel festive.
Great Halloween makeup is more about confidence than perfection. Pick one look, practice it once and add a single accessory. Save your favorite from these six and tell us which character you chose.
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