If you want to look amazing (and slightly creepy) for Halloween without spending all day in front of the mirror, you’re in the right place.
DIY Halloween makeup is not just easy on your wallet, it’s a chance to get creative—no pro skills required. All you really need are a few basics: face paint or eyeshadow, black eyeliner, foundation, some brushes or sponges, and maybe a splash of fake blood for drama.
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This guide rounds up ten of the best YouTube tutorials for Halloween makeup, and also we give you our best tips for applying Halloween makeup (with recommendations for affordable products).
Each tutorial is easy to follow, whether you’re a newbie or have a steady hand with a brush. From classic looks to pop-culture moments, there’s something for everyone—and plenty of ideas that are wearable even if your party is just a living-room danceathon.
Some fun makeup ideas you’ll find here (and a few bonus ones to get you inspired):
- Classic vampire (think fangs, pale skin, and blood)
- Wicked witch with glam green contour
- Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
- Harley Quinn—one side sweet, one side wild
- Skeleton (full face or half-face, you decide)
- Clown (either cute or super scary)
- Poison Ivy (glam lashes, red lips, green vibes)
- Pop art comic book heroine
- Catwoman with bold liner
- Wednesday Addams—chill, witty, and a bit dark
- Fortune teller (sparkly lids and gold details)
- Mermaid (iridescent scales and pastel shades)
- Zombie (with a little fake blood, if you’re feeling extra)
Makeup doesn’t have to be perfect, just fun. Grab your gear, cue up your favorite playlist, and let’s get started!
Essential Tools and Products for Easy Halloween Makeup
Great Halloween makeup doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune or crowdsourcing the skills of a pro MUA—promise.
Before you dive into the wild world of online tutorials, having the right tools and products at your makeup station makes everything less stressful (and way more fun).
Whether you’re after a classic vampire or going for a glittery fairy, here’s a quick guide to the essentials you’ll want on hand.
Useful Makeup Tools
Most easy Halloween looks can be pulled off with just a few trusty tools. If you already have a makeup bag, chances are you’re halfway there.
- Blending sponges: Not just for foundation. Use them for blending out face paints and creams, too.
- Assorted makeup brushes: A fluffy brush for powder, angled brush for stripes and details, and a small eyeshadow brush.
- Fine-tip eyeliner brushes: For sharp lines, cracks, stitches, and tiny details.
- Cotton swabs and pads: Perfect for quick fixes and blending out mistakes.
- Disposable mascara wands: If you’re planning to use colored mascaras or share makeup with friends.
- Tweezers: For rhinestones, fake lashes, or those little pesky gems.
Must-Have Makeup Products for Halloween
Ditch the idea of Halloween makeup being this complicated thing—most Halloween makeup looks only need a small handful of products anyway. Here are some products you may need (but you won’t likely need ALL of these):
- Face paint palettes or cream makeup: Super versatile. Grab a basic set with red, black, white, blue, and green.
- Black and white eyeliner pencils: You’ll use these for spider webs, scars, and everything in between.
- Foundation or BB cream: Use your usual shade (or a shade lighter for that spooky vibe).
- Setting powder: Keeps everything in place late into the night (or morning).
- Bold eyeshadow palettes: Jewel tones, neons, smokey greys—all the better for experimenting.
- Liquid and pencil eyeliners: A must for cat eyes, cracks, and cartoon shapes.
- Fake blood: Makes zombies, vampires, and wounds way more convincing.
- Red lipstick: Classic for vampires, witches, or anyone who wants drama.
- Highlighter and glitter gels: For those mermaid, fairy, or festival-inspired looks.
- Lash glue and false lashes: To give your eyes major drama.
10 Easy Halloween Makeup Tutorials from YouTube
Ready to bring your Halloween costume to life?
You don’t need pro-level skills or a bucket of face paint to look stunning (or scary) for the big night.
YouTube is packed with easy makeup tutorials that will take you from “What do I do?” to “How did you do that?”
All you need: a few basics—think black eyeliner, white face paint, bold lip colors, and a couple of makeup brushes. Plus, a spark of inspiration and just enough patience to pause and rewind the trickier steps.
Skeleton Halloween Makeup by Aria
Aria’s skeleton makeup stands out because it mixes drama with simplicity. You don’t need lots of colors or expensive brushes—just black and white face paint or eyeliner. The look is full-face, so you get bold results fast.
Clown Makeup by Atarah Mayhew
This classic clown look by Atarah Mayhew is bright, funky, and totally beginner-friendly. The amazing thing is that there’s room for mistakes—clowns are supposed to be a bit messy. She walks you through every move in this short video, starting with a white base and moving into drawing on top of it. The finished look is totally crazy, and we’re here for it.
Easy Cat Makeup Look by Kayla Ryan
Kayla Ryan nails the classic Halloween cat—everyone’s favorite last-minute trick. She combines sleek eyeliner, a cute nose, and a few sharp whiskers for a look that’s always a hit. Super simple, super beginner-friendly.
Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice by Jbunzie
Jbunzie’s Lydia makeup tutorial is made for anyone who loves a moody, pop-culture vibe. Channeling Beetlejuice’s Lydia Deetz isn’t just about heavy eyeliner—she captures the character’s dreamy, haunting eyes with easy steps. It’s all about bold eyeshadow and lips – very easy and achievable.
Vampire Makeup by Bailey Van Der Veen
Bailey Van Der Veen’s vampire tutorial is all about that dark, dramatic edge. The look is striking but not fussy, so you can pull it off without any wild products—or fake fangs. This step-by-step guide walks you through getting that haunting pale vampire vibe with bold, dramatic eyes. A little fake blood just ties it all together!
Elphaba Makeup Tutorial by Madalyn Cline
If you’ve ever wanted to feel wickedly glamorous, Madalyn Cline’s Elphaba (from “Wicked”) tutorial is the way to go. That signature green face is both playful and bold, instantly turning you into the most iconic witch.
Scary Pumpkin by Jennifer Chang
Fancy playing with some orange face paint? Jennifer Chang’s pumpkin face is bold, orange, and spooktacular. The best part is how she uses simple shapes and colors for a look that works for all skill levels. It look super advanced, but all you need to do is follow the steps and you’ll get the same result.
Nun Makeup by Jade The Libra
Nothing screams horror movie night like a terrifying nun costume. Jade The Libra’s tutorial nails the look, channeling that spine-tingling character from the big screen. This one’s for the real horror fans!
Avatar Makeup Tutorial by itsmonicarose
If you’re into bright colors and otherworldly vibes, itsmonicarose’s Avatar tutorial is pure magic. It’s a full transformation that uses blue—but not a lot else, so it’s actually pretty easy to achieve, even though it looks super creative and dramatic. You’ll look like you’re straight outta Pandora.
Carrie Makup Tutorial by Ash Levi
Ash Levi’s Carrie look is all about drama with very little effort. This horror icon is instantly recognizable and needs just a few products. Instant drama that will get people talking.
Tips for Applying Halloween Makeup
Great makeup starts before you even open the palette or pick up your liner, and a tiny shift in your routine can take your makeup from meh to wow.
Here’s what to keep in mind so you get every detail just right, even if the clock is ticking and you’re stuck using the bathroom light.
Start with a Clean, Moisturized Base
Paint sticks best to a smooth canvas. Always wash your face first and dab on your favorite moisturizer.
This helps makeup glide on and makes it easier to blend, especially if you’re using thicker face paint or cream products.
If you have dry patches or flakes, gently buff them away with a soft washcloth or a little exfoliator.
Prime to Make It Last
A thin layer of primer (even a drugstore one) keeps your makeup locked in place.
If you don’t have any, even a bit of aloe gel or a silicone-free face cream can calm skin and help makeup hold up past midnight. For oily skin, dab a little setting powder just on your T-zone before you start with colors.
Use Thin Layers and Build Up
It’s super tempting to swipe on all at once, but Halloween makeup works best in thin layers. Slowly build up color so it doesn’t crack or cake.
If you’re working with face paint or cream pencils, draw outlines for features (like stitches or scales) before filling them in—think of it like coloring inside the lines.
Blend, Don’t Rub
Blending is what makes your look seamless (even for creepy zombie skin!).
Pat and tap with sponges, don’t rub. This keeps your base even and helps colors fade into each other—hello, perfect bruises or windswept witchy shadows.
Set Your Makeup to Prevent Smudges
After you finish with all the details, set your look with a translucent powder or a setting spray. You can even use a clean fluffy brush and a bit of baby powder if that’s all you have.
If you’re going for a glossy or wet look, be careful—some powders can make those shine details go away, so skip it for those spots.
Keep a Touch-Up Kit Handy
Halloween parties can be a marathon. Tuck a compact mirror, extra liner, cotton swabs, and mini setting spray into your bag.
If your makeup starts melting faster than your favorite chocolate, it’s easy to pause and fix any smudges or faded spots wherever you are.
Practice the Details Beforehand
The smallest touches take your look from basic to Instagram-worthy. Draw stitches with a sharp black pencil, dab on red for a just-bitten lip, or use a tiny brush to paint fake freckles or scales.
If you mess up, don’t stress—just dip a pointed cotton swab in makeup remover and erase stray lines.
Removing Halloween Makeup
Removing Halloween makeup the right way keeps your skin happy and avoids irritation or breakouts.
Start with an oil-based cleanser—apply it onto your skin to dissolve heavy face paints and waterproof products.
Pay extra attention to eyes and lips, holding the pad in place for several seconds before wiping away softly without scrubbing.
After most makeup is gone, wash your face with a water-based cleanser and lukewarm water, then pat dry.
You may need to repeat the process if you missed any spots.
Follow up with a soothing moisturizer to help your skin recover, and take it easy the next day so your face can breathe.
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