Have you ever been in a situation where you've spent all your time thinking about a perfect Halloween costume, only to realize it's too late to get one? You check Amazon Prime, but the soonest delivery is November 2nd? Trust me, we've all been there.
Don't panic! The secret to a show-stopping Halloween look often lies not in the costume, but in the face (and maybe some festive nails?). With just a few key makeup products, a little creativity, and a few minutes, you can transform yourself into a character, even if you don't have a costume at all. Here are seven quick and easy Halloween makeup ideas that will save the day and make you look like you planned it all along.
#1. The Classic Skeleton
Skeleton look is a classic Halloween staple for a reason: it's distinctive, dramatic, and surprisingly simple to create! You'll need a black eyeliner (pencil and/or liquid), black eyeshadow, and white face paint.
- How to do it: Use the white face re grease paint to create a pale, white base for your last-minute Halloween look. Next, use black eyeliner to outline the eye sockets, nose, and teeth. Fill in the eye sockets and nose with black eyeshadow.
For the teeth, draw vertical lines across your lips, connecting them to the chin and cheeks to create a jaw-like effect. Try shading this area with gray or blended black eyeshadow under the cheekbones for a more sunken look.
#2. The Pop Art Comic Character
I remember how hot the Pop Art Comic makeup look was back in 2014! Every beauty guru tried to create their own, unique version of this look, but yours will be so much better, I'm sure! How about turning yourself into a walking comic book? All you need for this makeup is the right liquid eyeliner (black and white), a red lipstick, and a nice, full-coverage foundation for the perfect base.
- How to do it: Use the white eyeliner to create a highlight on your nose and cheekbones. Outline your eyebrows, nose, and jawline with thick black eyeliner. Use a black liner to draw a line under your chin, creating a dramatic jaw shadow. For the signature comic book dots, use a red lipstick or face paint to make small, uniform dots on your cheeks and forehead. You can use your finger or a stamping tool to help you with the task. Finish with a defined black outline on your lips.
#3. The Mystical Forest Fairy
The next look is my favorite – a mystical fae creature with an enchanting vibe and beautiful, sparkly makeup! Wondering what you`ll need to get this Halloween makeup? Ready your shimmery eyeshadows (greens, purples, blues), some glitter, and a light pink or purple blush. For the lips, simply use your favorite lip gloss.
- How to do it: Apply a wash of your chosen shimmery colors all over your eyelids and up to your brow bone. Blend them seamlessly. Use some lash glue to apply glitter to your cheekbones and around the eyes. If you have some extra time, you can even try to create a wing shape around them. Add a light dusting of blush to the apples of your cheeks and a touch of highlighter to your nose and brow bone. If you have any small flowers or leaves, you can adhere them to your hairline with spirit gum or eyelash glue for an extra touch of whimsy.
#4. The Gritty Goth Vampire
If fairycore is not your aesthetic, then go for an elegant and a little spooky vampire! You simply can`t go wrong with a vampire look for Halloween, right? Plus, this is a perfect last-minute choice for when you have less than five minutes at your disposal. Prepare a deep red or black lipstick, black eyeshadow, and a light foundation.
- How to do it: Start with a very pale foundation base. Use a black or deep purple eyeshadow to contour your cheekbones and temples for a dramatic, gaunt effect. Line your eyes with a smudged black eyeliner. The key to this look is the lips: use a dark red or black lipstick and make sure the edges are sharp. For a blood-dripping effect, you can use a lip gloss or a specially made fake blood product to create small drips at the corners of your mouth.
#5. The Creepy Clown
If you're a fan of Stephen King's iconic It movies or are planning to watch the new Welcome to Derry show, then a creepy clown look could be the perfect Halloween costume for you. Whether you want to recreate the classic Bill Skarsgård look or create your own version, you'll need a few key items: red and black face paint or eyeshadow, white face paint, and lipstick.
- How to do it: Apply a white base to your face. For a spooky clown, use black eyeshadow to create a large, elongated diamond shape around one or both eyes. Use red face paint or lipstick to draw a large, exaggerated smile that extends from one cheek to the other. You can add a red circle on your nose and a small teardrop shape below one eye. The more imperfect and smudged the lines are, the creepier the effect.
#6. The Glitchy TV Static
This is a modern, unique, and surprisingly simple look that plays on a cool optical illusion. The final result here depends only on your creativity, not on your makeup skills, so be as free in your artistic expression! For the look, get some black, white, and gray face paint or eyeshadow.
- How to do it: Create a base with white face paint. Use a mix of black and gray paints to create random, jagged lines and shapes across your face, resembling static. Don't worry about being perfect; the messier and more chaotic it is, the better. You can also use a small brush to create tiny "pixels" with black and white dots. The trick is to create a dynamic, uneven pattern that looks like it's in motion.
#7. The Faux Animal Face
And, for the desserts, I've picked up a good old animalistic look. Quadrobics lover or a furry? Who knows, but the look is simple, fast, and requires no skills; therefore, you won't be in any trouble creating it at the last minute. A cat is the most common, but you can easily adapt this to a fox, deer, or bear. What you need: Black eyeliner (liquid or pencil), brown or black eyeshadow, and a highlighter.
- How to do it: Draw a line from the tip of your nose down to your cupid's bow and fill it in with black. Add a black dot on the tip of your nose. Draw whiskers on your cheeks with short, thin lines. Use brown or black eyeshadow to create a smoky look around your eyes, extending it out to the temples for a feline-like shape. Use a highlighter on your brow bone and the bridge of your nose for a dewy finish. Add small lines and dots above your eyebrows to mimic the texture of an animal's fur.
Concluding...
Don't let a missing costume stop you from being the star of the Halloween party. People will surely appreciate you trying to fit the Halloween aesthetics, even if it was your last-minute choice. Hopefully, these quick makeup ideas will inspire your creativity, and you'll be able to transform yourself for a night of spooky fun.
