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45 Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas to Create the Perfect Last-Minute Costume
Turn yourself into a scary witch, a cute angel or a simple cat for starters.
Imagine this: Halloween is nearing once again, and once again you have waited to plan out a costume. While all of your friends and family members simply pull out costumes that they ordered or purchased weeks ago, you’re left to pull together an epic costume the night of All Hallows' Eve. If that happens to be your situation this year, not to worry. There are tons of ways to create a last-minute costume that doesn’t involve an unsuccessful run to your nearest Walmart. And if you are really short on time, you can always let your makeup do all of the hard work for you.
We know what you’re thinking: “I am not a makeup artist.” But makeup doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, the Halloween makeup ideas we've gathered here are easiest enough for even beginners to pull them off. Whether you and your best friend are hoping to elevate your duo costume to create a standout look, or you're in need of a work-appropriate costume that won’t require you to alter your uniform too much, well executed Halloween makeup will give your costume the extra flair it needs.
Even if you are a makeup novice or even just a beginner, a lot of the looks on this list can be recreated with the help of a tutorial. So pull out your best eyeshadow pallets and break out the face paint and fake blood, and get to work.
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1
Avatar Makeup
Here's one time when feeling blue isn't a bad thing. Watch Avatar (probably for the zillionth time) before attempting to turn yourself into one of Pandora's own.
A bold red lip is always part of the heiress' signature look. You could also take things up a notch by incorporating Dalmatian-inspired dots on the neck and face.
If you love playing with color, this is your chance to make your face a canvas for bright pigments. Once you get the white face paint down, create imperfect smokey eyes with blue and orange eye shadows. The messier, the better.
You won't need to purchase a mask to pull off your Catwoman costume. Breakout the black eyeshadow and glitter to design one that'll fit all of the contours of your face perfectly.
After you put on the blue face paint and add your cool contour, throw on a red lip. Add in stitching details with black and white face paint to really drive home your rag doll creation.
You can recreate these infected injections with a bit of silicone and fake blood. To take it a step further, add a needle prop and fill it with red paint.
Suicide Squad's breakout character Harley Quinn is now a Halloween staple. All you need are cotton candy-colored pigtails, messy eye makeup and red lipstick to master her look.
DC Comics fans, this one's for you. With just a few products (and a steady hand), you can look exactly like one of Batman's enemies. Plus, this iridescent lip will definitely get you some points from the beauty gurus in the room.
If you hate spiders, you may want to skip ahead. Small brush strokes and detailed shading give this spider a 3D effect.
13
Ariel from 'The Little Mermaid' Makeup
Dressing up as a Disney princess isn't just for the kids — adults can get in on these pretty costumes, too! The rhinestones included in this tutorial will also make your look stand out.
The ventriloquist puppet gave everyone a fright in Saw and now, you can do the same at your Halloween party. It's quick and easy to recreate — just use white face paint, fake blood and colored contacts.
Tiffany from Bride of Chuckyisn't here to mess around. To recreate her look, pencil on super-thin eyebrows and put on deep purple lipstick. You can even draw a heart on your chest as a symbol of your commitment to Chucky.
Sunburns are never funny in the moment, but they can bring the laughs come Halloween. Cover your entire body with red body paint except for the areas covered by your sunglasses and bathing suit. Then lift up your sunglasses every now and again to show everyone your true colors.
Here's a fun take on a classic Harry Potter costume. Ditch your Hogwarts sweater and cape for this slithering snake design, paired with emerald green eyeshadow and black lipstick.
Consider this your way to tell your family and friends that you love them to the moon and back. Or use it as a way to show off your impressive makeup skills. Or both.
32
Chucky the Doll Makeup
Chucky is, without a doubt, one of the creepiest dolls to ever exist. Complete your costume by adding scars, stitches and a black eye.
33
'Beetlejuice' Makeup
If you can't get enough of Beettlejuice, then take a note from Patrick Starr and give this movie-inspired look a try. You'll of course need a green wig to tie the look together.
34
Leopard Makeup
Have a very cheetah-licious Halloween by painting a few leopard (or cheetah) spots on your crown. Now, you just need to round up your friends to put on an epic The Cheetah Girls performance.
35
Lightning Makeup Tutorial
Pair this electrifying makeup look with an all-black outfit to make the colors really pop.
36
Deer Makeup
Despite how impressive this deer makeup looks, it's surprisingly simple to pull off — all you need is bronzer and a little white face paint.
While Ariel's makeup is beautiful, let's be honest: Dressing as Ursula is way more fun. Turn into the sea witch with purple eyeshadow and colored contacts.
40
Mermaid Makeup
Halloween is a time to turn your dreams into a reality. You know what that means: You can finally become a mermaid with makeup scales and glitter.
Get political this Halloween by transforming into Abraham Lincoln. Watch makeup artist Katelyn Galloway, a.k.a. Kiki G on YouTube use bronzer and highlight to transform someone into this prolific president.
Sure, a red hoodie makes this costume idea even more recognizable, but the cute orange and brown accents will be a hit with anyone who loves this cartoon.
Put down the cat ears: This tutorial shows you how to draw ears right on your kid's forehead, so they don't have to mess around with uncomfortable headbands.
This Victorian-inspired vampire makeup is both scary and fabulous. See how she makes it happen with a surprise object and, of course, plenty of fake blood.
