Halloween is a holiday for makeup lovers. If you like experimenting with makeup, there’s a good chance that Halloween is one of your favorite holidays. It doesn’t get much more fun than transforming yourself into someone else for the day, whether it’s a character from your favorite show or movie, someone from a different time period, or a classic costume like a witch or an angel.
As a makeup lover myself, I’ve dabbled in tons of Halloween looks over the years, from a jack-o’-lantern face to David Bowie’s iconic lightning-bolt face makeup. This year, I’m taking inspiration from some of my favorite celebs, and I’m pretty sure other fashion people will take their cue too. Keep reading for the best Halloween makeup looks to try this year.
Get into a roller-disco groove with tons of glittery eye shadow and face gems. Your hero product: UO Easy Peasy Face Gems, $6
Silver graphic eyeliner takes a space cowboy costume to the next level.
For a super-sultry, showstopping costume, it’s tough to beat Betty Boop. Add a smoky eye for extra drama.
With a blonde wig and a blue dress, Elvira Hancock is an easy costume to pull off. A petal-pink lipstick elevates it to the next level.
Cardi B went all in for her Morticia Addams costume. A red lip and tons of white face paint are crucial to nailing this spooky look. Your hero product: Snazaroo Classic Face and Body Paint, $9
Re-create one of Britney Spears’s most iconic looks with fresh-faced makeup.
A blonde bob, pink cheetah-print leggings, and a red lip are all you need to transform into the iconic Alabama Whitman from True Romance. Your hero product: Mac Lipstick in Ruby Woo, $21
Angels are always popular as quick Halloween hits. Opt for frosty makeup to give yourself the most ethereal glow.
While you’ll want sky-high hair to re-create Martian Girl, a glossy red lip and a smoky eye are just as important.
Barbiecore is in. Commit to the Barbie aesthetic for Halloween by dressing in head-to-toe pink and adding fuchsia lipstick. Your hero product: Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in Electric Poppy, $34
Take a trip to Studio 54 with disco-era glam inspo from the queen of Halloween herself, Vanessa Hudgens.
For those who want to go all out for Halloween, a full-body transformation like Ariana Grande’s into the Creature from the Black Lagoon is perfect.
You don’t necessarily have to have a full costume (and many of the coolest people on Halloween don’t). Just wiggle on some cool eyeliner and call it a day.
A glossy pink lip and a slicked-back bun are all you really need to transform into the Princess of Genovia (though a tiara certainly helps).
Name a more classic Halloween costume than a witch. Take a page out of Cardi B’s book and enhance your look with metallic eye shadow. Your hero product: Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow, $22
To commit to Poison Ivy, add some eyebrow embellishments.
If Corpse Bride is your favorite Halloween movie, you’re in luck. With blue face paint, you can become her for the night. Your hero product: Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette Multi-use Cream Color Palette, $99
For anime fans, Sailor Moon is a fun costume idea. Go for a cut crease like Megan Thee Stallion did.
A silvery smoky eye is important to become the bride of Frankenstein. That, and a silver piece of hair.
To turn yourself into an elven fairy, keep your makeup light and playful.
A stitched mouth and dark eye makeup is one of the best ways to get a creepy effect in a flash.
This one’s for the makeup lovers. Transform yourself into a jack-o’-lantern with orange and black face paint. Your hero product: Haus Labs Hy-Power Eye, Cheek & Lip Pigment Paint, $24
Elongated eye makeup and purple hair are your ticket to becoming Yoruichi Shihōin.
If you love The Runaways, heavy black eye makeup, shaggy hair, and some fake tattoos are the best way to become Joan Jett.
What, like it’s hard? Take inspiration from Kim Kardashian and add a glossy pink lip and a coifed ponytail to commit to the look.
