7 Trendy Halloween Makeup Ideas for 2025

If you ask us, the best Halloween makeup ideas are the ones that awaken your inner child. Halloween is about having fun—and, after all, when else can you rock face paint and piles of glitter without getting weird looks?

Of course, for a truly memorable Halloween ensemble, slapping on some glitter may not be enough. You’ll need a full plan for your visage. To get you inspired, we’ve compiled a list of this year’s hottest Halloween makeup looks. Whatever your vibe—spooky, sultry, or downright scary—we’ve got you covered with these seven of-the-moment looks. Read on to find our best Halloween makeup ideas to rock at this year’s parties.

The Queen

If you ask us, Halloween is the perfect occasion to tap into your inner monarch. This glam look pairs glowy skin with flushed cheeks and gold accents for a Halloween makeup look that’ll have you feeling like the belle of the ball. Here’s how to recreate the look.

Step 1: Define

Start this regal look off strong by tightlining your lower waterline with the Epic Wear Waterproof Liner Stick in Gold Plated. If you’re new to tighlining, the technique is a bit different from what you may be used to. For tips on nailing your waterline eyeliner, check out How To Tightline Eyes Like a Pro: Step-by-Step Tutorial.

Step 2: Detail

Next, create a soft arc just above your crease with a gold liquid eyeliner, such as the Royal Epic Ink Liner Glitz in Glitzed in Gold. To keep your line steady, prop your elbow on a hard, immovable surface as you create the arc. You can also use the natural curve of your crease to guide your line.

Step 3: Accentuate

After completing your eye makeup, you can move on to your cheeks. Add a dramatic flush of color to the apples of your cheeks with the Royal Blush Palette in The Queen. Then, apply the Royal Highlighter in Light Gold to the tops of your cheekbones for glow and definition.

Step 4: Paint

Last but not least, secure a gorgeously glossy lip by swiping on the Royal Butter Gloss in Praline. Stash your lippie in your bag for touch-ups throughout the evening.

Wallflower

Unleash your artistic side with this unique Halloween party makeup idea, which features sparkly lids and intricate butterfly wing detailing around the eyes. It looks difficult to create, but we promise—nailing the look isn’t as complicated as you might expect. Here’s what you’ll want to do.

Step 1: Drape

Start by creating a fresh-faced flush with the Royal Blush Palette in Wallflower. For a sculpted look, apply the blush just beneath your cheekbones, rather than on the apples of your cheeks. If you’re looking for more tips to help you achieve a contoured look with blush, check out Blush Contouring: All About This Viral Makeup Trend.

Step 2: Shade

As far as we’re concerned, no Halloween makeup look is complete without a bit of glitter. Snag the Ultimate Color Palette in Ultimate Brights and use your finger to swipe one of the shimmer shades across your lid. If desired, you can use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to diffuse the pigment to create a softer, sheerer wash of color. .

Step 3: Detail

Next, trace your upper lash line with the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black. Once you reach the outer corner of your eye, extend the line outward to create an exaggerated wing shape. Then, draw a butterfly wing shape at the outer corner of your eye by extending the liner downward, toward the top of your cheek, then angling it back up to meet at the center of your lower lid. Keep in mind that your linework doesn’t need to be flawless—butterfly wings come in all shapes and sizes. To add to the effect, use the tip of your liner to draw thin, barely-there lines or add small dots to each butterfly wing.

Step 4: Paint

Because your eyes are the star of the show for this Halloween face makeup look, you can keep the rest of your look simple. Complete your routine by swiping a high-shine lip gloss, like the Royal Butter Gloss in Angel Food Cake, onto your pout.

Lady in Silver

If you’re looking for a Halloween party makeup idea that allows you to tap into your artistic side, this look—which features multi-colored graphic eyeliner and flushed pink cheeks—is one to try. Here’s how to create the look.

Step 1: Illuminate

As we said, shimmer and Halloween makeup are a match made in heaven. For this one, you’ll need a silver shimmer eyeshadow—you can find one in the Ultimate Shadow Palette in Vintage Jean Baby. Swipe the shadow across your lid to create a metallic, shimmery base for your graphic liner.

Step 2: Define

Next, use a silver eyeliner, like the Royal Epic Ink Liner Glitz in Glitzed in Silver, to create a graphic liner look that mirrors the classic shape of a masquerade ball mask. You can make it as subtle or as dramatic as you’d like—but for a Halloween party look, we’d definitely recommend a more-is-more approach (why not?)

Step 3: Detail

Once you’re satisfied with your graphic liner, use a white eyeliner pencil, such as the Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Pure White, to add details to your “mask.” If you’re not sure how, simply tracing beneath the silver liner will do the trick, adding depth and definition to your unique look.

Step 4: Enhance

Lastly, use the Royal Blush Palette in Lady in Silver to add a bit of color to your cheeks Blend the blush toward your temples for a lifted, sculpted look.

Pro Tip: Want to take your Halloween makeup to the next level? Line your lips with the Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner in Sassy, then fill in with Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Tiramisu for a glossy, defined lip look that won’t take attention away from your graphic eyeliner.

Man in Red

If you’re a guy looking for a Halloween party makeup idea, this deceptively simple look, featuring smoked-out eyeshadow and a fun graphic accent, is definitely worth trying out. Here’s how it’s done.

Step 1: Tame

For this look, neat, groomed brows are a must. To keep your eyebrows in place, brush your arches down with The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler in Clear. The non-sticky brow gel provides up to 16 hours of hold—perfect for all-night Halloween soireés.

Step 2: Contour

Next comes eyeshadow. To start, shade the outer corner of your crease with one of the warm brown shades in our Ultimate Shadow Palette in Warm Neutrals. To add dimension, you can add a slightly darker shade just to the crease—this will deepen the color slightly and make your eyes pop. Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend the pigment toward your temples for a lifted, elongated effect.

Step 3: Detail

For your graphic accent, you’ll need the Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Pure White. Sharpen the pencil, if needed, then begin drawing an arced line along your brow bone, starting at the bridge of your nose just beside your inner corner. Once you reach the outer corner of your eye, flick the liner upward and outward to create a wing-like shape. Then, create another line beneath your eye, this one following the shape of your lower lid. End the line just past your outer corner.

Step 4: Accentuate

Last but not least comes blush. Grab the Royal Blush Palette in The Queen and apply the blush high up on your cheekbone, just beneath your temples. After blending it out, use The Royal Highlighter in Iridescent Peach to accentuate the high points of your face for a glowy finish.

Clown

“Clown” may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about cute makeup ideas for Halloween. But trust us—this playful clown look is both fun and super easy to execute. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Step 1: Smoke

The focal point of any clown makeup look is the eyes, but before getting into the detailing, you’ll want to lay down a base. Start by sweeping a warm brown eyeshadow onto your lid to create a neutral base for your shadow. Then, apply a darker brown hue in your crease and outer corner, blending both outward for a sultry, smoky effect. You can use the Ultimate Shadow Palette in Warm Neutrals for this step—it comes with 16 color-coordinating shadows in various shades of taupe, brown, and gold.

Step 2: Define

Next, grab the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black. Use the precision tip to draw a triangle shape above each eyebrow, with the apex of the triangle pointing upward. Then, do the same beneath each eye, with the apex of the triangle pointing downward (together, it should look like an elongated diamond shape around each eye). Fill in each triangle completely, then draw a small dot at the tip of each apex to complete the effect (or, skip the dot and use makeup glue to adhere a small rhinestone to each apex).

Step 3: Detail

Next comes the clown nose. Instead of the classic red, we’re going with black for this look. To create your nose, grab the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean and draw a small circle on the tip of your nose.

Step 4: Paint

Lastly, create an exaggerated clown smile with the Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner in Evil Genius. Start by lining your lips as you normally would, following the natural shape of your lip line. When you reach the outer corner of your top lip, extend the liner outward and slightly upward to create an elongated “smile.” The longer the line, the more dramatic it’ll appear.

Dead Bride

Black lipstick can feel like a bit much for everyday, but it’s perfect for Halloween makeup. Here, a bold, glossy black lip pairs with silvery eyeshadow and smoky black liner for a look that’s equal parts goth and glam.

Step 1: Highlight

Goth makeup usually involves a pale base, but you don’t have to reach for white foundation for this look. Instead, simply highlight the high points of your face with the Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. Use your fingers to blend out the creamy pigment and eliminate any harsh or obvious lines.

Step 2: Smoke

Next, grab the Ultimate Shadow Palette in Vintage Jean Baby. Sweep a deep gray shade onto your lid and lower lash line, blending both out with a fluffy brush for a smoky, diffused effect. Then, use your finger to lightly pat one of the sparkly silver shades onto each lid for dimension (and, of course, shimmer).

Step 3: Define

Once you’re satisfied with your eyeshadow, you can turn your attention to eyeliner. Use the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black to trace along your lash line, flicking the liner out slightly at the corners for a subtle winged effect.

Step 4: Paint

Finally, the star of the show—your glossy black lips. Start by swiping on the Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Naughty Noir, taking your time to ensure a smooth, even application. Once the long-lasting matte lipstick dries down, add high-intensity shine with a thin layer of the Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Licorice.

Sea Witch

Beach days may be behind us for now, but you can use your Halloween makeup to bring the spirit of the sea back, if only for the night. Here’s how to use NYX Professional Makeup products to embrace your inner mermaid (or siren—dealer’s choice).

Step 1: Sculpt

First, reach for your Ultimate Shadow Palette in I Know That’s Bright. Swipe the palette’s bright blue eyeshadow onto your lids, taking the color all the way up to your brow bone for a statement eye makeup look. Then, use a small eyeshadow brush to define your lower lash line with the same ocean blue hue.

Step 2: Detail

Here’s where you’ll need to tap into your artistic side. Using the Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Turquoise Storm, carefully draw a large starfish shape on the side of your face, extending from your cheekbone to just above your brow bone. To keep it from looking like a celestial star, make the arms of the starfish long and thin (you can even add a little curve to them to make it look like the starfish is hugging your face). Once you’re satisfied with the overall shape, use a small brush and bright blue face paint to color in the starfish.

Step 3: Paint

The eyes and starfish accent are the focal points of this look, so you’ll want to keep your lips neutral. To add a hint of color without overpowering your look, line your lips with the Slim Lip Pencil in Espresso, then top with a coat of Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Sugar Glass.

Step 4: Set

To keep your Halloween makeup in place all night long, mist your face with The Face Glue Setting Spray. The waterproof formula helps prevent smudging and transferring, extending your makeup wear for up to 24 hours.