Here's a scenario we're all too familiar with: It's the week before Halloween and you don't have the energy to conjure up a clever costume. So enter Halloween makeup! Because you do have a drawer full of eyeshadow, lipstick, and blush, and a little free time.
With a little patience and the right products, you can skip the costume and let your face do all the heavy lifting. You may already have everything you need in your makeup bag; otherwise, the palette or lipstick you need is just a Sephora or Ulta trip away. And the best part? After the party or trick or treat is over, you can put the new products to use in your daily routine!
Sometimes you need a little push to get the creative juices rolling on fun makeup looks, so take inspo from some of our favorite Halloween makeup looks, from simple fairy makeup to ornate Pennywise makeup. 'Tis the season to get wild with it.
Sea Siren Makeup
Look like you stepped right out of an enchanted lagoon with water droplet face gems and iridescent makeup. This gorgeous look by creator Emma Potts is easy to customize based on your makeup skills—and could easily be worn post-Halloween for a special event too!
Instagram content
Cake-Frosted Clown Makeup
Whether or not you're making foolish decisions the other 364 days of the year, Halloween is the best time to be a clown. And if you're going to be a clown, you have options! Just look at this cake frosted cutie pie clown look from artist and face decorator @anya.tisdale for inspiration.
Instagram content
Fairy Makeup
“She was a fairy!” This soft, pretty look by creator Merry brings the fairy vibes with just a few products. If pink isn't your color, NBD! Swap it out for another pastel color or try a glitter formula. (Or, you know, pixie dust!) Face gems add a sprinkle of otherworldly magic. Add a pair of wings and you're good to go!
Instagram content
Spooky Spider Makeup
Ditch the glitter and deck your face with spiders instead! Creator Emma Farrell has a genius method for a glamorously spooky spider makeup moment. Simply apply some spider stickers to your face, dust them with a dark eyeshadow, and remove the stickers for an outlined effect. Finish with fake blood, winged liner, and red lipstick.
Instagram content
Scarecrow Makeup
A scarecrow look is also perfect for a last-minute costume. All you need are some warm-toned eyeliners and eyeshadows— which you probably already own—and maybe a flannel or plaid shirt for the farm vibes.
TikTok content
Good and Evil Makeup
If you're not sure if you want to be angelic or devilish, good news: You don't have to choose! Go with an asymmetric eye look like this one from TikToker @melissavolido.
TikTok content
Blood Drip Wings
This dramatic liner look is so show-stopping, you could literally wear jeans and a T-shirt and feel like you're in a full costume.
Instagram content
Halloween Graffiti
Now's the time to bring out those colorful eyeliners and give yourself the full tattoo sleeve — on your eyes.
TikTok content
Betty Boop Makeup
Betty Boop is a total beauty icon. Pay homage to the iconic cartoon vamp and play up those upturned brows, big doe eyes, and plush red lips for this instantly recognizable costume like @stxph.h's.
TikTok content
The Grinch Makeup
Christmas is still a few months away, but now's as good a time as any to lean into the festivities and playfulness of the holiday. This look from Embla Wigum is simply flawless.
TikTok content
Violet Beauregarde Makeup
The iconic Violet Beauregarde costume from makeup artist Ellie Addis went viral a few years back, and it's still so good – and easy to recreate! Finish the look with a blonde wig and a night's worth of bubblegum!
Instagram content
Cruella de Vil Makeup
This edgy take on the 101 Dalmatians bad gal is glamorous and spooky at the same time.
TikTok content
Slime Eyes
Any other time of year, mysterious, acid-green liquid oozing from your eyes would be concerning, but for Halloween, it's perfect.
Instagram content
Marge Simpson Makeup
If you want to channel the beloved cartoon matriarch, all you really need is some yellow face paint and body paint, a blue wig, and a little creativity. Just don't forget the beaded necklace!
Instagram content
Pennywise Makeup
Pennywise, the evil clown from It, is a classic scary costume that is surprisingly easy to modify to match your skills. This TikTok from Embla Wigum also has all the inspo you need; just grab some white face paint, a liquid liner, and red-toned shadow and lipstick for your own chilling look.
TikTok content
This post has been updated for 2025.
