Halloween is the holiday for makeup-lovers. Yes, elaborate costumes and themed hairstyles are fun, but this is also the one day we get to show off our next-level face-beat skills. (And TBH, throwing together a cool beauty look is much easier than digging through your closet for a last-minute costume.)
So after a bit of brainstorming and a lot of digging through craft-supply stores, we teamed up with Maybelline and makeup artist Michael Anthony to bring our visions to life. Here you'll find three makeup looks for every Halloween personality — from the spooky superfan who goes all out to the procrastinator who waits until October 30 to make plans. Now — pics or it didn't happen.
Simple Sparkle
You can't go wrong with glitter, and Halloween is the perfect excuse to wear it everywhere. Plus, it's quick and easy to apply when you're down to the wire. Whether you're going out as a mermaid, rockstar, or fill-in-the-blank goddess, you'll want to grab some sparkly stuff and take notes.
Photographed by Shxpir.
If your glitter doesn't have a strong base to adhere to, it's going to stick to everything but your face. (Seriously, your bathroom counters will never be the same again.) So choose a cream eyeshadow in a similar color family as your glitter and apply it to your entire lid. We used Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Chrome in Bronze Sheen.
Maybelline, $9.99, available at MaybellinePhotographed by Shxpir.
Next, dip your index finger into some loose glitter and dab and roll it onto your eyes. You can go with craft-store glitter or opt for the cosmetic variety.
Photographed by Shxpir.
As you move onto your cheeks or other areas of the face, make sure you prep with an emollient lotion first. Then, pat on your glitter and mist everything with a setting spray.
Photographed by Shxpir.
But really, does this look require a costume? We kind of just want to wear it every day.
Kalmanovich dress, Colin Locascio faux fur coat.
Photographed by Shxpir.
Painted Lady
If Halloween is really your jam (as in, you need a separate closet to house your costume collection), you probably have some face paint from trick-or-treating and theme parties past. If you don't, pick up a palette that has multiple shades to mix and match.
Photographed by Shxpir.
If you're applying base makeup first, start with just a sheer layer of foundation. "You're going to have to correct your shapes with cotton swabs as you go," says Anthony. "So if there's too much foundation or powder on [your] skin, you'll leave holes."
Then, draw on your face paint into whichever shape best fits your look for the night. We kept things abstract to look like a work of art.
Photographed by Shxpir.
You can leave your face paint as is or, to make it more dramatic, outline your shapes in bold graphic lines. First, trace along the face paint using a nude eye pencil or blonde brow pencil. "It's easier to correct than black liner," says Anthony.
Photographed by Shxpir.
Next, use a fine, felt-tipped liner, like Maybelline Master Precise Curvy, to draw over your nude lines.
Maybelline, $7.99, available at MaybellinePhotographed by Shxpir.
Finish your look with any standout details that'll add to your costume. Flyaway hairs, mismatched lips — they're all fair game when you're going all out.
Alena Akhmadullina dress, Oblik Atelier earrings.
Photographed by Shxpir.
3-D Drama
If you've been pinning DIY decorations and ghoul-themed cocktails all month, why not apply that resourceful spirit to your makeup look? Rummage through your craft supplies for any pretty sequins or decals, grab some lash adhesive, and get to work.
Photographed by Shxpir.
Halloween is a time for scary masks and masquerades alike, so we played off that idea by framing just the eyes. Lay down each of your decals piece-by-piece, securing with lash glue as you go, so you can experiment with layering and different shapes.
Photographed by Shxpir.
Continue building on more detail, even gluing decals on top of one another for a floral effect. (If you hadn't noticed, we're of the belief that more is more.)
Photographed by Shxpir.
You don't want your eyes to get lost in all the details, so apply multiple coats of a dramatic mascara. We chose Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara because the arched shape of the wand lets you sweep lashes out at the corners for a winged-out, faux-lash effect.
Maybelline, $9.49, available at MaybellinePhotographed by Shxpir.
See? We told you you wouldn't need a costume. When your makeup's this intricate, you can toss on a denim jacket and sneakers and let your face do the conversation starting.
Ambush jacket, Colin Locascio turtleneck and dress, Monica Varela earrings.
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