Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your look and experiment with bold, dramatic, and even spooky makeup styles. Whether you’re dressing up as a classic witch, a scary zombie, or something more glamorous like a vampire queen, the right makeup can take your costume to the next level. But with so many products out there, you might be wondering: what makeup do I use for Halloween? In this guide, we’ll go over the essentials you’ll need to create your ultimate Halloween look.
Face Paint
Face paint is a Halloween must-have for transforming your skin into a canvas for vibrant, creative designs. You can use face paint to create skulls, clown faces, animal designs, or even superhero masks. Look for water-based face paints as they are gentler on the skin and easier to remove after the fun is over.
- Recommended Product: Snazaroo Face Paint Kit
White Foundation or Cream Makeup
For ghostly, vampire, or zombie looks, a pale, almost-white complexion is key. A high-coverage white foundation or cream makeup helps achieve that otherworldly skin tone. You can apply it all over the face for a fully transformed look or just to specific areas for dramatic contouring.
- Recommended Product: Mehron Clown White Cream Makeup
Liquid Eyeliner
Eyeliner is essential for adding detail and drama to your Halloween makeup. Whether you’re drawing on cobwebs, spider legs, cat whiskers, or creating intricate designs around your eyes, a good liquid eyeliner will give you the precision you need.
- Recommended Product: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Bold Eyeshadow Palette
A bold, highly pigmented eyeshadow palette can bring your Halloween look to life. Think deep reds for vampires, dark greens for witches, or bright neon shades for fun, playful looks. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors for striking effects.
- Recommended Product: Anastasia Beverly Hills Norvina Palette
Fake Blood
Nothing says Halloween like a little fake blood! Whether you’re creating a vampire bite, zombie wounds, or creepy cuts, fake blood is an easy way to add a realistic gory touch to your costume. It’s also perfect for adding detail to any horror-inspired look.
- Recommended Product: Ben Nye Stage Blood
False Eyelashes
For those going for a glamorous Halloween look, false eyelashes are a game-changer. They add length, volume, and intensity to your eyes, making them stand out in dramatic or elegant costumes like queens, fairies, or goddesses.
- Recommended Product: Ardell Wispies False Eyelashes
Dark Lipstick
Deep, vampy lip shades are ideal for Halloween. From dark purples to blood-reds, a dramatic lip can make your entire look more intense. For characters like vampires, witches, or gothic princesses, dark lipstick is the perfect finishing touch.
- Recommended Product: MAC Lipstick in Diva
Highlighter and Glitter
If you’re going for a magical or ethereal look (think fairies, unicorns, or mermaids), highlighter and glitter are essential. A shimmering highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bones, and nose will give you a radiant, otherworldly glow. Add some glitter for extra sparkle.
- Recommended Product: Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
SFX Makeup and Latex
For those who want to go all out with a scary or gory look, special effects (SFX) makeup is key. Latex and scar wax can help you create wounds, scars, or distorted facial features, and pair well with fake blood for a truly terrifying look.
- Recommended Product: Mehron Liquid Latex
Setting Spray
To make sure your makeup lasts all night, especially if you’re attending a Halloween party or event, a setting spray is crucial. It will keep everything in place, from your intricate eye makeup to your face paint, ensuring your look stays flawless through the festivities.
- Recommended Product: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Tips for Halloween Makeup
- Prep your skin: Make sure to cleanse and moisturize your skin before applying any makeup, especially if you’re using heavy face paints or special effects products.
- Test new products: If you’re using new makeup products, try a patch test beforehand to make sure you don’t have any allergic reactions.
- Practice your look: It’s always a good idea to practice your Halloween makeup a day or two before the event to make sure you get the desired effect and to avoid last-minute stress.
- Use makeup remover: When it’s time to take your makeup off, use a gentle makeup remover, especially if you’ve been wearing waterproof products or face paint.
With the right products and a little creativity, your Halloween makeup can go from ordinary to extraordinary. So gather your tools, plan your look, and get ready to impress with your hauntingly beautiful Halloween transformation!
