October 31st is right around the corner, and IDK about you, but I’m ready to go all out on my Halloween costume this year. I love Halloween parties, decking out my home in Halloween decorations, and buying a big ol’ bag of candy for trick-or-treaters and then gleefully eating it all myself. This year, I’ll be leveling up my Halloween game with some incredibly Insta-worthy (we got the perfect captions for ya, too, btw) Halloween makeup tutorials. From zombie makeup to mermaid makeup and even some pop culture-inspired makeup (yes, I found spot-on tutorials for Chappel Roan and Elphaba), the season's best Halloween makeup looks to try are all right here on this very page.

And don't worry if the idea of a Halloween makeup tutorial sends your beginner heart into a spiral—you don’t have to be a pro MUA for any of these looks because these tutorials range from the just-bought-your-first-palette level to the advanced I-know-my-way-around-some-face-paint. So keep scrolling to check out the 75 (!) best Halloween makeup tutorials for your spookiest season yet.

halloween makeup

1. This Iconic Chappel Roan Makeup Tutorial

Chappel Roan's makeup is instantly recognizable, with ultra-thin brows, a super light base, bold bright eye makeup, and a ruby red lip. Her looks are almost always inspired by drag queens, so there are about a gazillion tutorials online to help you nail the look. Once you perfect the makeup, all you'll need is a curly red wing to transform into the 'Hot To Go' singer.

✨Try it with: Juvia's Place Culture Palette

2. This Wickedly Good Elphaba Makeup

I expect to see tons of Wicked-themed costumes this Halloween, and you can't be Elphaba without going totally green. Patrick Starrr gives you step-by-step directions in this tutorial to make the green makeup application less intimidating. Soon enough, you, too, will be defying gravity.

✨Try it with: Ybuete Makeup Face & Body Paint Stick

3. This Glittering Glinda Look

Embody Glinda's ethereal fairy vibes with an iridescent pink eyeshadow and a dashes of glitter, well, everywhere. No doubt you'll be the most popular at your costume party when you nail the good witch's look.

✨Try it with: ColourPop Gliterally Obsessed Body Glitter Gel

4. This Foxy Cruella DeVille Makeup

The beauty of this Cruella DeVille makeup? It's super sultry and sexy—complete with a cut-crease cat-eye and statement-making red lips—and can totally pass with a variety of other costumes if you just want to dress up as a sexy cat or superhero last minute.

✨Try it with: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick in Cinematic Red

5. This Spooky—and Surprisingly Easy—Victorian Ghost Makeup

Okay, so maybe Halloween isn't totally your thing, but your friends are making you dress up. Instead of throwing a sheet over your head for a ghostly costume, paint yourself as pale as possible and dress in a fun corset to become a Victorian-era chic ghost. Easy peasy.

✨Try it with: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner

6. This Flashy 'Life of a Showgirl' Taylor Swift-Inspired Makeup

Ummmm, can you even be called a Swiftie if you aren't dressing up as your favorite Taylor Swift era for Halloween this year? I'm going all in on The Life of a Showgirl with old Hollywood makeup and an extra dose of ~sparkle~.

✨Try it with: Patrick Ta Major Dimension Eye Illusion Eyeshadow Duo

7. This "Brat Summer" Charli XCX Look

Brat Summer 2.0 may be over, but you can still keep the vibes alive by dressing as Charli XCX for Halloween. Her signature makeup look is a little lived in, with a smudged smokey eye and neutral, faded lip. Best of all? You can throw together a fit with items you already have in your closet. Easiest costume ever? We think so.

✨Try it with: Urban Decay Naked Shaped Cool-Tone Makeup Palette

8. This Dreamy Forest Fairy Makeup for Halloween

My favorite perfume reminds me of a mystical forest fairy, so I kinda wanna match my Halloween costume to my scent. This tutorial, with the whimsical green eye makeup and delicate glitter, is the exact vibe I'm going for.

✨Try it with: Urban Decay Naked Shaped Cool-Tone Makeup Palette

9. This Bear-y Cute Halloween Look

Need a last-minute Halloween costume? This adorable bear look will take you about 15 minutes to complete. Plus, styling your hair in space buns creates the illusion of ears without needing to buy anything.

✨Try it with: NYX Epic Ink Eyeliner in Milk Chocolate

10. This Beginner-Friendly Scary Makeup

If scary costumes are more your vibe than cutesy or sexy options, you'll swoon over this ghoulish makeup. You don't even have to be skilled in FX techniques, which is a major bonus.

✨Try it with: Mehron Makeup Coagulated Blood Makeup

11. This Colorful Mad Hatter Halloween Makeup

If you aren't afraid to experiment with bright pops of color, I'd highly suggest giving this Mad Hatter look a try. The classic Alice look is so "been there, done that," so when you pull up with this bold alternative, be prepared to get hella compliments.

✨Try it with: Saie SuperSuede Talc-Free Powder Blush in Amore

12. This Retro Alien Costume

Category: Bad b*tch. Couldn't make it to the Renaissance tour? No worries. And, if you did, I'm v jealous. Whichever way you fall, this look is the perfect way to channel your inner alien superstar in a modern, unique take on an extraterrestrial... which btw, are totally real.

✨Try it with: Mehron Makeup iNtense Pro Pressed Pigment Palette

13. This Glam Barbie Look

Okay, we get it—Barbie always dominates Halloween, but who wouldn't want to hop on the bandwagon? While there are so many Barbie eras and costumes to choose from, may we suggest this classic glam look with a strong winged eyeliner (thank u, liquid liner), pink eyeshadow (duh), and bold pink lip.

✨Try it with: r.e.m beauty At The Borderline Eyeliner Marker

14. This Coraline Halloween Makeup Tutorial

When Halloween season comes along, people usually opt for traditional scary movies like Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, and stuff like that, but those who have Coraline on repeat truly get it. This mix of adorable and just downright creepy can be created with eyebrow powder, rosy blush, and a few freckles for good measure.

✨Try it with: Freck The Original Freckle

15. This Bridgerton Makeup Look

Fact: Bridgerton makes a pretty damn good costume. To channel your inner Daphne, soft nude and pink eyeshadows should be your go-to. Finish it off with a v curly updo and a Regency-style dress.

✨Try it with: Glossier Essential Eyeshadow Trio in Monochromes

16. This Barbie Zombie Makeup Look for Halloween

Barbiecore for Halloween will never ever die. Give the trend a spooky spin with this zombie makeup look.

✨Try it with: Graftobian Blood Gel

17. This Fairy Halloween Makeup Tutorial

My favorite thing about this fairy makeup tutorial is that it gives you an excuse to play around with the colors in your palettes that you usually ignore (think: neon greens, vibrant purples, the works). And even though this look has a few elements that are pretty ~out there~ (hiii, green eyebrows), the end result is super pretty.

✨Try it with: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil in Freak

18. This Glam Joker Halloween Makeup Look

FYI, this Halloween, you can dress as the Joker without looking scary. In fact, this tutorial by YouTuber Jasmine Brown is a totally elevated and glamorous spin on the classic character. Some red, white, and blue face paint is pretty much everything you need for the look—oh, and ofc finish off with some temporary green hair dye.

✨Try it with: CCbeauty Professional Face and Body Paint

19. Jack Sparrow Pirate Makeup Tutorial

One of the easiest Halloween makeup ideas that isn't super played out already? Pirate makeup. It's got classic elements like smoked-out eyeshadow and inky black eyeliner, and it's v easy to customize to your exact vibe (and, IDK, the products you already have in your makeup bag). Don't forget the face glitter for a fun touch.

✨Try it with: NYX Face and Body Glitter

20. This Butterfly Halloween Makeup

So scary isn't necessarily your thing, eh? No prob because adorable makeup tutorials like this one by Victoria Davette exist. If you're really feeling like going all out and have a steady hand, challenge yourself by drawing a butterfly wing near your eye. If that seems too challenging (hi, it me), simply create a smokey eye with orange, yellow, and red eyeshadows. Pop on a butterfly headband, and you're good to go.

✨Try it with: NYX Ultimate Color Palette in Ultimate Queen

21. This Deer Halloween Makeup Tutorial



A cute upgrade from your usual cat costume, this deer Halloween makeup is sweet, subtle, and very easy to recreate. Make sure you finish off your makeup with black and white eyeliner on your eyes to really mimic the look.

✨Try it with: NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eyeliner Pencil in Milk

22. This Queen of Hearts Makeup Look

A Queen of Hearts costume is one of those looks that's totally classic but not overdone. This tutorial by Victoria Davette looks super complicated, but it's actually relatively simple to do if you follow the tutorial step-by-step. Oh, and you're def going to need a TON of red tones.

✨Try it with: Danessa Myricks Colorfix Eye, Cheek, & Lip Cream Pigment in Primary Red

23. This '90s Gwen Stefani Makeup Tutorial

Okay, yeah, hi. This '90s Gwen Stefani is a total mooood and fits this year's aesthetic to a T. Channel the pop princess with a blue wig, skinny brows, lots of face jewels, and a red lip.

✨Try it with: Fazit Face Glitter Speckles

24. These Last-Minute Halloween Looks

S/O to all those peeps out there who leave planning their costume to the day night of (🙋)!! Luckily for you (and me), YouTuber Ashley Quiroz demonstrates three last-minute Halloween looks that are quick and very easy to do—just make sure you've got some liquid eyeliner on hand.

✨Try it with: Wet n Wild Breakup-Proof Black Liquid Liner

25. This Bratz Halloween Makeup

Think: Pink and blue eyeshadow, '90s-esque full lips, and the cutest (and super) pink outfit. I think that makes one pretty cool and ~glam~ Halloween costume, huh? Just don't forget to add an iconic Bratz beauty mark with some liquid eyeliner.

✨Try it with: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner

26. This Carrie Halloween Makeup

Four words: Lots of freakin' blood. Start by creating a super dark, smokey eye, and then really glam up the rest of your makeup. Put on a white dress (that you're not afraid to ruin), and for the kicker, pour fake blood alllll over.

✨Try it with: Bobisuka Fake Blood Halloween Makeup Kit

27. Scarecrow Makeup for Halloween

Scarecrow makeup can be recreated in so many different ways, but this is one of my faves. This scary Halloween makeup tutorial will show you all the right products they use to get this super realistic and three-dimensional scarecrow.

✨Try it with: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

28. This Glam Frankenstein Monster Halloween Makeup

If “glam” + “Frankenstein” are two words you never thought you’d hear together, check out this Halloween makeup tutorial. Jennifer Chang creates the cutest Frankenstein monster for Halloween, complete with a bold red lip and purple eyeshadow or face paint (they used Mehron Makeup Color Cups in Purple).

✨Try it with: Mehron Makeup Fantasy F/X Water Based Face & Body Paint in Green

29. This Bride of Chucky Halloween Makeup Tutorial

This scary Halloween makeup tutorial for the Bride of Chucky will require a matte black lipstick, a gel or liquid eyebrow pen, and black eyeshadow. Pay special attention to how this makeup artist contours under their cheekbones to get that really gaunt, haunted look (hint: contour with some black eyeshadow and blend it out really well).

✨Try it with: Ruby Kisses Ultra Matte Super Rich Lipstick in Blackism

30. Vampire Demon Makeup for Halloween

This vampire demon is actually so cute while still being creepy. The trick to striking that balance? Make sure to glam up your eyes (with volumizing mascara or false lashes) and create a bold lip before adding in all the spooky parts (think: red eyeshadow around the whole eye and red vein lines underneath).

✨Try it with: NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lipstick Lightweight Vegan Lipstick

31. This Devil Halloween Makeup Tutorial

Red face paint will be your main ingredient when recreating this devil look. This is a great scary Halloween makeup tutorial that’s also really pretty. BTW: Don’t forget to grab some yellow face paint to highlight your brow bone.

✨Try it with: U Can Be Athena Face Body Paint Oil Palette

32. This Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka Tutorial

This may be one of the easiest makeup looks on the entire list. If you remember anything from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it's that Violet Beauregarde was a w-i-n-n-e-r, and that's exactly what you'll be when you pull up to the Halloween party decked out with purple eyeshadow on your nose. To really step the 'fit up, pair your makeup look with a blonde wig, tracksuit, and her signature accessory: gum.

✨Try it with: Juvia's Place The Violets Eyeshadow Palette

33. This Genie Halloween Makeup Tutorial


If you were looking for an excuse to wear a gold scrunchie and just a ton of blue makeup, welcome to your ideal Halloween makeup tutorial. Mari Bajari makes the Genie from Aladdin so pretty—I mean, how cute are their blue matte lips and sparkly blue eyeshadow?!

✨Try it with: IS'MINE Single Blue Matte Eyeshadow Powder

34. This Robot Halloween Tutorial


Don’t want to mess around with a lot of colors? Opt for this robot Halloween tutorial, where all you need is black face paint or liquid eyeliner to create these robot lines. This is a super easy Halloween idea to do at the last minute—lookin’ at you, procrastinators.

✨Try it with: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black

35. The Lion King Halloween Makeup Tutorial

I honestly did not know that Scar from The Lion King could look this cute. This Halloween makeup idea is perfect for when you have a half hour to get ready and don’t really want a full face of paint. All you need is black eyeliner, black face paint, black lipstick, and a concealer that’s a couple of shades lighter than your skin tone to recreate this makeup tutorial.

✨Try it with: Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer

36. This Alien Halloween Makeup

Looking for something easy you can pull together at the last minute that isn't a cat or vampire? This alien makeup tutorial is a great option, and it's genuinely easy. All you'll need is green eyeshadow, white eyeliner, and a couple of basics (think: foundation, eyebrow pencil, etc.) to really nail this costume.

✨Try it with: Juvia's Place The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette

37. This Mermaid Skull Makeup for Halloween

Half-face Halloween makeup is always one of my favorite costume ideas, thanks to the fact that you can go super OTT with one side of your face and more relaxed and chill with the other. This look combines pretty mermaid detailing with classic skull makeup for the ultimate Halloween vibe.

✨Try it with: Hung Vanngo Beauty Color Story Eyeshadow Palette in Brilliant Blue

38. This Cow Halloween Makeup

It's no secret that cow print is everywhere right now, so why not take the trend to the next level with this Halloween makeup? You'll need a solid amount of face paint to recreate this look, along with a couple of detailing brushes to get the edges of your spots super precise. And, IMO, the blue eyeshadow really gives the whole thing a glam vibe.

✨Try it with: Mehron Makeup Paradise Face and Body Paint

39. This Catwoman Makeup for Halloween

This is one of those makeup looks that will require a costume to match, so keep scrolling if you're looking for something more last-minute. If you're willing to plan out a whole-ass mood, though, you'll absolutely love this Catwoman makeup for Halloween, which combines a classic red lip with a sultry eyeshadow look.

✨Try it with: Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson

40. This Euphoria 'Jules' Halloween Makeup

Here's an idea: Go super meta this year by recreating Jules's costume from the Euphoria Halloween episode. The costume, which, BTW, is actually a nod to Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet, is all about red eyeshadow and hella glitter, so make sure you're fully stocked before giving it a try.

✨Try it with: Nabla Glorious Lights Glitter Palette

41. This Euphoria 'Maddy' Halloween Makeup

You didn't think that was our only Euphoria makeup idea, right? An equally cute option, this makeup tutorial inspired by Euphoria's Maddy is so pretty you'll want to wear it year-round. I mean, is there anything cooler than holographic eyeshadow and rhinestone decals? Def not.

✨Try it with: Karizma Beauty Iridescent Crystal Face Gems

42. This Dua Lipa Makeup for Halloween

This Halloween, I'm going all in with this Dua Lipa makeup tutorial, which perfectly nails the singer's sculpted brows, sparkly eyeshadow, and, obvs, signature hairstyle. Catch me rolling up to the Halloween party blasting "Don't Start Now." Like, Dua, is that you?

✨Try it with: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra-Fine Shape & Define

43. This Last-Minute Skull Halloween Makeup

I get it: Even if you start thinking about Halloween way in advance, it's still hard to actually get your shit together by October 31. That's why I love how easy (and cute!) this last-minute Halloween makeup is. All you'll need is a black gel eyeliner, a neutral eyeshadow palette (preferably something with dark and smokey colors), and 10-ish minutes to watch the video. Easy enough.

✨Try it with: Natasha Denona Glam Eyeshadow Palette

44. This Pumpkin Halloween Makeup

Would this really be a Halloween makeup roundup without at least a few creepy AF options? I like that this tutorial has a little bit of everything—it's got gore (the melted skin), color (the pumpkin detailing), and glam (the ultra-dramatic smokey eye). It def requires a decent amount of skill, so try watching the tutorial a couple of times before you get started.

✨Try it with: Snazaroo Classic Face and Body Paint in Orange

45. This Clown Halloween Makeup

Yes, everything about this Halloween makeup tutorial is scary, but that red smokey eye is actually ridiculously pretty. The best of both (terrifying) worlds?

✨Try it with: Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick in Gridlock

46. This Harley Quinn Makeup for Halloween

Sure, Harley Quinn's makeup looks messy AF, but recreating her signature look actually takes skill (and some blue and red eyeshadow). This Halloween makeup tutorial lays out everything you'll need to become a member of the Suicide Squad by October 31.

✨Try it with: MAC Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palette Hi-Fi Colour

47. This Fairy Halloween Makeup Tutorial

If scary, gory-as-hell Halloween makeup isn't totally your aesthetic, you need to bookmark this fairy tutorial right now. Highlighter, glitter, and more glitter will really take your costume to the next level.

✨Try it with: Half Magic Bold Metallic Self-Adhesive Face Studs

48. This Wednesday Addams Makeup

I used to think Wednesday Addams was a cop-out costume, but the Netflix series and this Halloween makeup tutorial has convinced me otherwise. Super-defined brows are crucial to this look, along with a ghost-white base and purple eyeshadow.

✨Try it with: Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Kit

49. This Unicorn Makeup for Halloween

A little unicorn dust never hurt anyone, right? Right. This Halloween makeup tutorial is perfect for anyone who isn't into blood and guts.

✨Try it with: Unicorn Snot Biodegradable Holographic Body Glitter Gel for Body, Face, Hair

50. This Snow White Makeup Tutorial

This Snow White makeup is guaranteed to be a hit at your Halloween party. Consider yourself the fairest of them all with these candy-apple red lips.

✨Try it with: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in On Fire Red

51. This Pop Art Halloween Makeup Tutorial

This Halloween makeup is beyond realistic—recreate it, and you'll legit look like you stepped out of a comic book.

✨Try it with: Charmcode Face and Body Painting Palette

52. This Little Red Riding Hood Halloween Makeup

This Halloween makeup tutorial is your classic Little Red Riding costume, but edgier. Fake scars are a nonnegotiable for this look.

✨Try it with: Coobbar Halloween Zombie Scars Tattoos with Fake Scar

53. This Queen Bee Halloween Makeup

Perfectly executed face paint takes this queen bee Halloween makeup from cutesy to cool. And who doesn't love an excuse to wear black lipstick?

✨Try it with: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in Night Bird

54. This Frozen Makeup Tutorial for Halloween

A lot of blush, a white wig, and falsies make this Halloween legit so cool, you'll feel like you literally could work at Disney World.

✨Try it with: Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush in Pink

55. This Zombie Queen Halloween Makeup

Can't decide if you want to go regal or creepy this Halloween? Get yourself a look that does it all, like this zombie queen makeup.

✨Try it with: Smooth-On Ultimate Zombie Makeup Kit

56. This Golden Goddess Halloween Makeup


Just because it's Halloween doesn't mean you need to put aside your love of highlighter. This Halloween makeup tutorial glow is everything.

✨Try it with: Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun Dipped Glow Kit

57. This Lioness Halloween Makeup

Pro tip: Recreate this entire tutorial for Halloween, then copy the eye look for every other day of your life.

✨Try it with: Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette

58. This Cat Makeup for Halloween

You can never go wrong with a cute cat makeup look for Halloween. Also, I wasn't aware that I wanted a pair of neon-green contacts until right now?

✨Try it with: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

59. This Snow Angel Halloween Makeup

This angel Halloween look is basically what I aspire to emulate on a daily basis. I mean, look at her frosted lids.

✨Try it with: Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil

60. This Werewolf Look for Halloween

Animal Halloween costumes don't need to be cute, okay? Proof: This werewolf makeup tutorial, which is the perfect excuse to take your look to spookier heights.

✨Try it with: Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Last Night

61. This Vampire Halloween Makeup Tutorial

If you want to be the scariest person at your Halloween party, you need to recreate this vampire makeup tutorial. Costume or not, your look is bound to give everyone the creeps (in the best way possible, obvi).

✨Try it with: KVD Beauty Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow, & Brow Pigment in Scarlet

62. This Half-Skull Halloween Makeup

This skull makeup is the perfect last-minute Halloween costume. Your makeup really carries the look, so you won't even need to worry about what you're wearing.

✨Try it with: Amscan Black and White Makeup Kit

63. This Batwoman Halloween Makeup

The best part about this Halloween makeup tutorial is that you paint your mask (which is glittery, btw), so you won't need to keep track of your costume accessories at that crowded party.

✨Try it with: Moon Glitter Holographic Face & Body Glitter Gel

64. This Demon Halloween Makeup Tutorial

Full disclosure: I literally gasped when I watched this Halloween makeup tutorial. If you're going for the fear factor, you'll want to take notes on this one.

✨Try it with: Mehron Makeup Paradise AQ Pro Face Paint Palette

65. This Poison Ivy Halloween Makeup

Who knew green eyeliner and red eyebrows could look inspiration-worthy? This Halloween makeup tutorial is perfect for anyone who wants to feel on theme and pretty.

✨Try it with: Lime Crime Venus XL 2 Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Palette

Why trust Cosmo?

Mary Honkus is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with over seven years of experience covering beauty trends. She's an expert in all beauty topics, and Halloween is her favorite holiday. (She has a minimum of three costumes every year.) For this story, she scoured the internet for fun makeup tutorials that will inspire people to dress up this Halloween.

Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories like the Day of the Dead makeup tutorials and witch Halloween makeup tutorials, and feels especially knowledgable on Halloween makeup tutorials for beginners thanks to years of dressing up. She regularly tries out new Halloween makeup tutorials on herself while working with the industry’s top makeup artists to experiment with new techniques.

Headshot of Siena Gagliano
Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
Headshot of Mary Honkus
Mary Honkus
Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.