Clown-Inspired Halloween Makeup Ideas
Still not sure what you're going to dress up as come October 31st? Here's an awesome idea: be a charming Parisian marionette! Make Up For Ever artist Lijha Stewart put a fun, fashionable twist on the classic clown makeup look and even created this face chart exclusively for Teen Vogue readers. So forget the silly red nose and Ronald McDonald wig, and go for a circus-chic vibe instead!
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1/7Eyes
To start, Stewart recommends using a matte foundation that’s two shades lighter than your normal skin tone, such as Make Up For Ever’s Mat Velvet. "This will help create the lighter skin tone we associate with clowns, but it updates the look to be more polished," she explains.
Blend the foundation down along the neck to ensure that there are no harsh lines. Next, set the foundation with HD Powder (use a puff applicator) to completely mattify the skin. To get dramatically sculpted, cartoon-like cheekbones, "Apply Eye Shadow #75 (a neon pink) starting at the temple and blend it down to the high point of the cheek," suggests Stewart.
Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow #75, $19 sephora.com.
2/7We're not clowning around—you're sure to steal the spotlight on Halloween in this couture clown makeup.
3/7Eyes
Now, you’re ready to create the expressive eyes that clowns are so famous for! "Start by blending Eye Shadow #02 (a bright yellow) into your crease and up to your brow bone. Smudge it under your eyes as well to create a downturned-eye effect," says Stewart.
Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow #02, $19 sephora.com.
4/7Eyes
Next, apply Eye Shadow #05 (an orange-coral hue), concentrating it on the crease and blending outward. Smudge the same shadow beneath the eye, focusing the color just in the center beneath the pupil.
Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow #05, $19 sephora.com.
5/7Lips
The finishing touch is an uber-defined lip that every fashionable clown should have. "Begin by lining the perimeter of your lips with Aqua Lip 9C (a burgundy shade), and then fill in the lips with Aqua Lip 16C (a bright fuchsia)," she says. Apply a dab of Lab Shine Lipgloss in #S26 (a bubblegum pink) only on the top lip.
Make Up For Ever Lab Shine #S26, $18 sephora.com.
6/7Face
Ta-da! You end up with a clown look that's far more sophisticated than it is scary. With makeup this bold, all you need to complete your costume is a head-to-toe black ensemble (leggings and a turtleneck would be really cozy and supercute!) — and you're ready to pretend that you belong with a fabulous French circus!
7/7Eyes
Take a dampened angle brush saturated with Eye Shadow #64 (a deep crimson) and create a vertical line starting at the crease and taking it up through the brow. "Also extend it downward just beneath the eye," explains Stewart.
Make Up For Ever Eye Shadow #64, $19 sephora.com.
