12 Halloween makeup looks so good you won’t need a costume

Whether you’re off to a Halloween party or just want to impress visiting trick-or-treaters, we’ve got the best looks to try at home. They’ve all been created by top makeup artists but don’t let that scare you – there’s something for every skill level here. Ready to get creative?

Original Wednesday Addams

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams is a Halloween stalwart. And her makeup is actually quite easy to copy, although a black wig does really make the look so see if you can get your hands on one of those too. Here is a close-up of her makeup as created by Nirvana Jalalvand, Ortega’s on set makeup artist. Jalalvand favours the Pat McGrath Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner, £30, should you wish to be truly authentic.

Wicked makeup mash-up

You don’t need to choose whether you’re team Glinda or team Elphaba this Halloween, as this genius look covers both Wicked leads. We love how @amyskxlton uses root cover-up spray to slightly lighten and darken her hair on each side. And if you don’t fancy a full face of Elphaba green, then you can always just stick to the eyes and lips element.

Scary clown

Anna Lingis is the MUA responsible for presenter Maya Jama’s always amazing Halloween looks (scroll down to see what we mean) and she also painted this ultra-glam clown makeup and shared a 45 minute tutorial so we can copy it at home. “I promise you it’s such an easy look to do, even if you’re not a makeup artist,” she says.

Beautiful Beetlejuice

Anna created this look for Maya Jama for Halloween a few years back using all high street products (she kindly lists them all so you can copy this look exactly). Who knew a green lip could look so chic?!

Classic devil

Makeup pro Tammi Clarke somehow manages to make Halloween makeup sexy with her ultra-winged, smoky eye devil look. Black lipstick and red contacts complete the look.

Sultry Harley Quinn

Tammi also created one of our favourite takes on Harley Quinn makeup and handily listed everything she used so you can copy exactly or find products that are similar.

The super-fast Halloween lip

If you have five minutes to get ready for your Halloween gathering, this look – created by makeup pro Gina Elser-Box – is the one to go for, as you only need two products and minimal skills.  Just add a black dress, some fangs, and you’ve got a low effort spooky look. Gina has other seriously impressive Halloween makeup tutorials on her Instagram, including a take on Ursula from The Little Mermaid.

Spider queen

We promise this spider makeup look is easier to do than it looks. Plus, the creator, @sophiehannah breaks it down step-by-step. You just need a steady hand for painting on the eyeliner webs, and you’re golden.

Spider web eye

Urban Decay MUA Danielle Roberts is one our first ports of call when we’re looking for impactful but simple Halloween makeup. The look is an oldie but it’s still a goodie. Again, a steady hand is required, but it’s well worth persevering with the practice. Plus, how genius is her tip of using a setting spray to turn an ordinary shadow into a liquid liner?

Batwoman eye makeup

Makeup artist, Keilidh Cashell shows that Halloween makeup can be colourful with this bright bat-inspired look. “Orange and purple together just scream Halloween to me,” she says. Again, you need a steady hand, a very fine-nibbed black eyeliner and a bit of time to get this just right but it’s worth it.

3 ways with a black eyeliner

If the only thing you can find is a black eyeliner then here are three fairly quick and easy Halloween makeup looks, courtesy of @lenkalul.

Hocus pocus

Now, this look does rely on the matching costume but if you’re looking for an easy DIY Halloween makeup look then do as TV presenter, Laura Whitmore did for Halloween a few years ago (created by makeup artist Tori Ball) and go as SJP’s character – Sarah Sanderson –from iconic Halloween film, Hocus Pocus. Pair a red lip with a smoky eye, a beauty spot and a long white wig and you’re done!