An eye with dark makeup and fake blood
Creative Makeup

Halloween Makeup Ideas

29/08/2024 / 2 Comments

Sharing is caring!

Photographic inspiration for Halloween makeup you can do!

Just a classic summer fete look

Halloween makeup has to be the most fun to create! I have always been such a fan of Halloween and spooky makeup-all year long not just on one day! As a child I would choose to be the witch or the full face design over the princess (despite the fact I’m allergic to facepaint!)

If you are looking for some ideas then please check out my galleries below for all my favourite ideas from over the years!

The shops are full nowadays of products, makeup, props and ideas. Gone are the days of a sheet over your head or in Means Girl fashion animal ears (but this isn’t such a bad shout either!). Take your time and you’ll find a wealth of ideas for that Halloween Party or just for Social Media photos!

These Halloween makeup looks are simple but effective and with a little practise you can do them too!

And if you want more step by step instructions I’ve broken some of the looks down into steps helping you to create these Halloween makeups at home.

Jump to a section

    Halloween Makeup Lips and Eyes

    If you are going for subtle vibes than lips and eyes are a great place to start dipping your toe into darker makeups!

    Dark Lipstick
    Queen of my heart
    a closed eye with four spooky ghosts painted in eyeliner
    Close up of blue-green lips with stitches

    Halloween Makeup Utilising Masks

    Here is a look at two of my Halloween mask make-ups from 2020. 

    This smile mask inspired the looks as it reminded me of a forced smile. Why so serious?

    These looks were created with eyeshadow.

    Although we no longer have to wear masks these techniques can be used to create other spooky looks!

    For the joker I used a colour way if bright red and bright blue. These clown colours and clown shapes really highlight the character in our subconscious 

    For Harley Quinn pink and blue is the colours we now associate with her makeup. Complete with small (eyeliner) tattoos of love hearts. 

    Harley Quinn inspired makeup with a smiley face mask
    Joker themed makeup with a smiley face mask
    Joker themed makeup with a smiley face mask

    Halloween Makeup Characters

    Witch Vibes

    Why not go all out with witch vibes? From resting witch vibes to classic witchy skin.

    A woman pulls off her face to reveal a witch underneath created with makeup
    A glamourous character with a fur coat, long nails and some witchy skin peeling through poses in a garden
    A hand with latex and makeup to look like witches skin

    Pumpkins

    Nothing says Halloween like pumpkins! Cute or scary pumpkin inspired Halloween makeup is a fun one to try!

    A close up of pumpkin inspired makeup with orange tones and black lips
    A closeup of an eye with orange and black makeup tones
    Alex with makeup inspired by a pumpkin against a blue background
    Pumpkin King themed Halloween makeup

    Classic Halloween Looks

    Surprisingly this is the area I’ve least explored as I’ve favoured a film inspired look but why not go back to basics with zombies, fake blood, vampires or monsters or start there and give it a twist!

    a close up of a face with dripping green and black makeup
    a close up of lips with dripping green and black makeup
    A close up of green and black makeup running down from an eye
    Alex with makeup inspired by a jester, wearing a face mask, against a blue background
    An eye with dark makeup and fake blood
    a full body photo of a witch character posed against a blue background
    Slime inspired makeup in shades of green
    Alex wears natural makeup except for stitches made of red jewels

    Inspired by Film

    There are so many films, specifically Halloween or not which could inspire your looks this Halloween. Check out this list for a selection of Halloween film options to inspire you.

    A makeup inspired by Billy from Hocus Pocus
    A makeup inspired by Billy in Hocus Pocus
    A full length picture of a Beetlejuice inspired look
    Makeup inspired by Quentin Blakes The Clown
    A woman dressed as Wanda Werewolf wears a mask, face paint and holds a dog
    A makeup inspired by the film Mean Girls against a cream background
    A makeup inspired by character Harley Quinn featuring hearts, pink and blue
    A makeup look inspired by Beetlejuice
    Alex wears a face mask and Harley Quinn inspired makeup against a cream background
    Coordinating makeup and nails inspired by Beetlejuice

    These Beetlejuice lips were created using completely Revolution Pro products-two liquid lips in Psychadelic and Greyscale as well as white and green eyeshadow from their neon palette! Simple and effective! I have full character how to for Beetlejuice and other characters here.

    Lips with makeup inspired by Beetlejuice

    Disney Characters and Parks

    The Disney parks across the world traditionally celebrate Halloween, amongst other holidays, on a large scale as well as having spooky rides and recognizable characters which can inspire Halloween Makeup looks!

    Zombie Mickey Mouse inspired makeup with green eyeshadow against a white background
    a full face photo of zombie inspired makeup against a white background
    A character with makeup which looks like animal scratches poses against a blue background
    A character with makeup which looks like animal scratches poses against a blue background
    A pumpkin being held which has been carved like the Pixar Luxo ball
    A close up of blue eye makeup
    A makeup with facemask inspired by Mike from Monsters Inc
    Alex with makeup inspired by zombie Mickey Mouse against a white background
    A character inspired by a zombie Mickey Mouse against a blue background
    Alex with makeup inspired by a pumpkin against a blue background
    Alex with makeup inspired by Mickey Mouse against a white background
    A character inspired by Luxo Jnr holding a Pixar pumpkin against a white background
    An eye with yellow and blue eyeshadow
    A character inspired by the Haunted Mansion against a blue background
    Alex wears undead makeup against a blue background
    A makeup inspired by Forky
    An eye with blue and yellow makeup making the shape of a fish
    A makeup inspired by the cheshire cat against a cream background
    A hitchhiking character poses against a blue background

    Disney Villains and Good Girls Gone Bad

    The Disney Villains definitely deserve their own section and mention in this post of ideas! Another idea for a theme is taking a heroine, or hero, and unleashing their bad side.

    Here I took the classic characters of Snow White (from Once Upon a Time), Rapunzel, Alice and Faline (Bambi) and showed their bad side.

    A character inspired by Snow White gone bad poses against a blue wall
    A makeup inspired by Rapunzel gone bad against a yellow background
    A character inspired by Faline from Bambi against a cream background
    A character inspired by Snow White against a blue background
    A character inspired by Alice in Wonderland gone bad poses against a blue background with dogs

    All about the classic villain vibes…

    A character inspired by the Queen of Hearts against a white background
    A character inspired by the Queen of Hearts against a white background
    A character inspired by the Evil Queen stands against a white background looking at a phone vainly
    A character inspired by Malificent against a blue background

    This was my favourite series I’ve ever created

    A character inspired by the Evil Queen stands against a blue background
    A character inspired by the Evil Queen stands against a blue background
    A character inspired by the evil queen and poisoned apple against a blue background
    A character inspired by the evil queen and poisoned apple against a blue background

    What Halloween look would you love to create? Let us know in the comments!

    Professional makeup artist with an interest in natural, complimentary makeup but also fun makeup designs and nail art too! Life is too short to be stuck with trends that don't suit you!

    You May Also Like

    A character look inspired by Minnie Mouse in front of a blue background

    Minnie Mouse Inspired Makeup

    27/06/2024
    A character inspired by Ariel against a blue background

    Ariel, The Little Mermaid, meets the 1950’s

    04/07/2024
    A character inspired by The Lion King in a garden

    The Lion King Makeup and Nail Art

    25/04/2024