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18 crazily creative makeup looks to try this Halloween

Spooky season is here

By Delaney Loane

Digital Beauty Editor / October 25 2022

According to Cady Heron (our #1 '00s rom-com icon), Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total sl*t and no other girls can say anything about it.

And while that sentiment is, er, all well and good, we tend to think of it a little differently. In our world, Halloween is the one night a year when anyone can paint whatever the hell they want onto their face (and take zillions of stellar selfies) without anyone else making a peep.

So if you're feeling bold, brave or hey, just plain festive, we've rounded up the most creative Halloween makeup looks gracing the 'gram, from the cute to the creepy.

1

If Maleficent really liked butterflies, we imagine this is what she would look like come October 31st...

Image via: @euphriaxiv

2

Harley Quinn is a modern classic; so much so that it's actually the second most popular Halloween makeup look. And we can see why!

Image via: @costumekenz

3

Big Beetlejuice fan? You'll actually only need three shades (and one very specific wig) for this look.

Image via: @devannjoy

4

Got a knack for precision? This ibis-inspired makeup gives a whole new meaning to 'winged liner'...

Image via: @etamakeup

5

If a mermaid met a skeleton, this would be the watercolour-hued result...

Image via: @josalynandromeda

6

Day of the dead-esque 'sugar skull' looks are still going strong; you technically only need to use one of your lashes, too – what a win.

Image via: @theeusmakeup

7

'Corpse bride' is always a classic, and this icy blue interpretation is an utter masterpiece.

Image via: @kirstyeva_mua

8

This half-day, half-night split is striking as hell (especially thanks to those contacts).

Image via: @makeupqueenvibe

9

Go literal with your cowgirl vibe and add the print to your face as well; a good gel liner should do the trick.

Image via: @evensyaxo

10

No, this isn't just dodgily applied foundation, it's an Oompa Loompa that's somehow escaped Wonka's factory.

Image via: @trinsmakeup

11

Always wanted to run away with the circus? Do it for one night only, makeup style.

Image via: @witch_hazel_x

12

Halloween makeup doesn't have to be wildly elaborate to be wildly effective; a bit of faux blood (and hey, a little 3D wire; easy right?) always does the trick.

Image via: @nastasiamolodec

13

Speaking of the power of fake blood; it also looks fantastic spilling out from a pair of horns...

Image via: @meghanloganmakeup

14

Go deep into character with this Poison Ivy recreation; BRB grabbing leaves from our garden.

Image via: @hayleejoe

15

Okay, we know it's already tricky enough to nail one lot of winged liner, but this eye-conic vibe is worth the effort.

Image via: @star.style.wigs

16

Looking for a last-minute option? This modern clown-inspired makeup will only require a few eyeshadow shades and a little lipstick and liner action.

Image via: @rajazetii

17

And if you can't be bothered to take on a full character, you can always fall back on a spiderweb-adorned smokey eye, built with the classic Halloween colours; orange, green and purple.

Image via: @k_emme