On a good day, when we wake up on time and can take 10 minutes for ourselves between making lunches and slamming down some coffee, we might grab our makeup bag and try to use the power of powders, glosses, and mascara to trick our faces into looking like we actually got a full night's sleep. And while making the average tired mom look like she's actually awake in the carpool lane is no small makeup feat, it is really only the tip of the iceberg for what some good cosmetics can do!
We may still be figuring out how to do the perfect winged liner for date night, but there is a whole internet full of super talented professional and amateur makeup artists who are creating amazing Halloween looks. Social media sites like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are filled with epic makeup transformations and tutorials throughout the year. And, yes, they do included how to do a great winged liner! That said, this is the season where creative makeup artists can really serve as a treasure trove of Halloween inspiration! From creepy looks that might scare tiny trick-or-treaters (fair warning: spiders ahead!) to faces that look like a work of art, these transformation are nothing short of amazing!
Grass Easter Bunny
Sure, the Easter Bunny is more associated with spring than with Halloween season, but that doesn't mean this incredibly detailed bunny look can't become an unforgettable costume idea! In terms of skill level, this isn't for beginners, but it is so cool!
Maleficent
Well, hello Angelina Jolie vibes! This look took some trial and error as the artist tried to make the distinctive sharp cheekbones with both prosthetics and by using contour and shading for the final version. This look is also set off by colored contacts and a dramatic lip color.
Dark Witch
Some of the most epic makeup transformations require a lot of products that the average person probably doesn't have, like liquid latex and colored contact lenses. We like this spooky dark witch transformation because it can be duplicated with the kind of makeup most of us probably have.
Big Eyes Witch
This is so creepy and amazing! This look requires some serious makeup skills, plus use of liquid latex, a wig, monster fake eyelashes, and the ability to freehand scars and big lips. Sadly, this is not the look for anyone who wants to enjoy candy at the Halloween party!
Winifred Sanderson
We're all about Hocus Pocus 2, which just dropped this fall, so we're low-key obsessed with this Winifred Sanderson transformation (let's be honest, she's the most iconic of the sisters)! The makeup here is on point, but that wig also totally sells the look!
Spider Eye
Ahhhh! This both really cool and also total nightmare fuel. This facial spider is dramatic but actually seems somewhat doable for novice makeup artists, with a little practice! Pair with an all-black outfit and some super pale skin for a dramatic creepy crawly look.
Sexy Vampire
There is a normal smokey eye and then there is this super elevated, ultra dramatic eye look. One part dark blackened eyebrows, one part major false lashes, and some black and red lips paired with pale skin makes for one sexy vampire look!
Half Skull
This half-skull make-up transformation looks really cool and the step-by-step instructions in this video actually makes this seem like something we could actually pull off! This would also be a cute look for doing on a kiddo who wants to pull off something a little creepy but not too scary.
Subtle Witch
Sometimes less is more! This subtle witch look is perfect for folks who want to look festive but still pretty on Halloween. This would look great paired with some long black nails, a heavy cloak or cape (red or black, of course), and some black boots.
Pop Art Queen
This pop art-inspired look is so much fun and would be perfect paired with a comic book inspired outfit. While we don't get to see the step-by-step with this one, we do appreciate the list of products used in the caption. It's a lot but totally worth it!
Harlequin
A harlequin is both a traditional kind of clown known for wearing diamond patterns and having two-tone makeup and the inspiration behind the comic book character Harley Quinn. This makeup look could work for both kinds of costumes!
Cute Cat Look
Sure, we can do a cat costume with just a pair of ears and a few quickly drawn whiskers, but this step-by-step transformation video shows how to make a pretty, elevated cat look. Yes, there are still whiskers, but it's really all about the eyes!
Cheshire Cat
Speaking of cat looks, this Cheshire Cat (from Alice in Wonderland) transformation is pretty darn epic! This requires either a lot of skill or a ton of practice — as well as quite a bit of time and patience — but the final result is sure to win any Halloween costume contest.
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is low-key one of our favorite Batman villains. Really, her whole vibe was basically about wanting to protect nature, which doesn't seem so bad in this day and age, right? She's not perfect, of course, but this makeup look sure is!
Victorian Ghost
We're adults, so gone are the days of throwing on a sheet and calling it a ghost costume! This Victorian ghost look is all about the super pale skin and the focus on the eyes. Classic and haunting, without being too scary for trick-or-treating with the kids!
