Make the scariest holiday of the year a stylish affair with these Halloween makeup ideas!
Makeup Makes an Impression
Makeup makes a difference! Imagine the wicked witch without her signature green face or the seductress without her vampy red lips and nails. Without these bold touches of color, creativity and ingenuity, the costumes would be incomplete.
Even the most restrained, low-key personalities can't help but go all out on Halloween, when outfits take center stage. Perhaps it's the allure of being decked out in disguise that makes it possible. With the aid of the right costume and plenty of over-the-top makeup, a person can make a strong impression on the big day.
Halloween Makeup Ideas and Tips
Have fun this year with some Halloween makeup ideas that are sure to turn heads and raise brows - and maybe even elicit a scream or two.
A Nightmare Before Christmas
Perhaps no film could be better inspiration for this spooky day than A Nightmare Before Christmas. The movie features Halloween Town's Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, and his special lady friend, Sally the rag doll, as they embark on a series of thrilling adventures.
Dressing up as Sally is sure to thrill any woman who anticipates showing off her feminine side - with a twist! Sally's raggedy dress is constructed of multicolored patches sewn together in a wild, mismatched pattern. Her arms are covered by "glovelettes," long stitched covers that extend from the elbows to the wrists. The hair is long, red and flowing. Grab a bright wig (think Wilma Flintstone-red for an ideal shade) or have some fun with colored spray paints for a wilder look.
In order to make your face up to look as much like Sally as possible, follow these steps:
- Smooth a white cream makeup base all over the face (similar to the way you would apply foundation). Apply it generously, but don't overdo it: Thick makeup never looks good!
- Next, spread a thin layer of silver cream makeup base over the white. This casts a slightly grey-toned glow on the skin, while still allowing some shimmer to illuminate. This gives Sally a bit of a glamorous twist.
- Using a black eye pencil, draw a few stitches on the face to emulate Sally's raggedy look.
- Finish up with a deep black lipstick. Add a coat of clear gloss to keep the look slightly soft and complement the sheen of the silver makeup.
She Devil
The sexy devil with the tail, tight red bodysuit or dress and vixen heels is sure to capture attention everywhere she goes. This look calls for confidence and a sense of playful adventure. Once you've got your costume figured out, you can make your makeup stand out by following these steps:
- Smooth a pale foundation over your face, just as you would your regular foundation.
- Run thick coats of black eyeliner over your top and bottom lash lines. Be generous with this; the black stands out strongly against the pale skin.
- Apply a pair of extra-long, extra-thick false eyelashes. For added oomph, coat them with two layers of black lengthening mascara.
- Dust a red-toned blush gently onto the apples of your cheeks. This type of color tends to look alarmingly bright, and it can be; the trick is to use a very light hand. This allows the focus to remain on your eyes and lips.
- Coat the lips with an intensely dark red gloss, such as MAC Lipglass in Russian Red. Finish with a dab of silver or gold glitter in the center of the lips for a sexy look.
- If you choose to be extra bold, add special effect contact lenses to maximize the wicked look.
Belly Dancer
Play the part of a true belly dancer with an exotic costume and the kind of makeup fit for a stage performance! This look requires some heavy drama and a willingness to wear plenty of deep, bold shades. Try it by following these steps:
- Evenly smooth on your regular foundation. (For stage purposes, the makeup is usually much heavier, but on Halloween you'll want to focus specifically on the colors!)
- Line the upper and lower lash lines with thick black liquid liner. Play with different looks: You might consider a glamorous winged line for a playful effect.
- Dark eyes are the key to a dramatic look. Use false lashes to really play up the eye area, and coat them liberally with layers of black mascara.
- Red cheeks stand out best on stage. Give it a slightly more natural finish for a night out by dotting Benefit Benetint on the cheeks. Simply place three dots on each cheek and quickly blend it in to achieve a natural, rosy flush. Dust with a hint of shimmer powder if you wish.
- Finish your look with a creamy red lipstick, such as Rouge Dior Replenishing Lipcolor in Premiere Red. Your lips will stand out and stay moisturized.
