15 DIY Makeup Ideas For A Last-Minute Halloween Costume

While Halloween is the one time of the year when you can really go all out with over-the-top costumes, not everyone has the time or money to invest in a complicated ensemble. Therefore, if you're scrambling to put together a costume at the last minute, don't worry! With a little bit of creativity and some simple makeup techniques, you can easily achieve a transformation that will impress your friends and family.

We've put together a list of 15 DIY makeup ideas for a last-minute Halloween costume that will make you the life of the party. From adorable angel and butterfly costumes to bloody cut creases and vampires, these looks can be achieved with minimal effort and expense.

Skeleton

A true Halloween classic, skeletons are always a popular choice come October 31. And while you can certainly buy a pre-made costume, why not put your own twist on it with a fun makeup look?

To get the look, start by applying lighter foundation and powder all over your face to create a blank canvas. Then, carefully draw on the bones using a black or brown pencil liner. For extra drama, add some black shadow to your sockets and inner tear ducts. And for the finishing touch, paint on some black lipstick (or use a lip pencil) to create a ghoulish grin.

Product To Try: Urban Decay – 24/7 Eyeshadow, $19

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead, or Día de Los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of those who have passed away. It's also become a popular Halloween costume, thanks to its stunning and colorful makeup.

To get the look, start by applying a white base all over your face. Then, draw on the sugar skull designs using a black pencil liner. Once you have the basic shape down, fill it in with color. For the eyes, use a bright blue or green, and go with a vibrant pink or purple for the flowers.

Product To Try: Shiseido – Kajal Ink Artist Shadow, Liner, Brow, $25

Retro

If you like to take your Halloween with a side of retro, then this is the costume for you. And the best part is, it can be as simple or as over-the-top as you want it to be.

For a more subtle take, start by applying your regular complexion products and draw an elongated wing. To really sell the vintage look, don't forget to add matte red lipstick and some false lashes. If you want to go the extra mile, you can make this look more dramatic by adding a sharp contour to accentuate your cheekbones and dark eyeshadow to create a smoky eye.

Product To Try: KVD Beauty – Tattoo Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $23

2000s Makeup

Ride the Y2K wave and dress as an early '00s baddie. Colorful eye makeup, dark lip liner, and skinny eyebrows are all you need to make the look.

Product To Try: Suva Beauty – UV Taffies Hydra FX Palette, $32

Bloody Cut Crease

If you're looking to get gory this Halloween, this bloody cut crease look is the one for you.

Start by applying your regular concealer and setting powder all over your lid. Then, draw on the “cut” using a black pencil liner. Once you have the shape down, fill it in with red eyeshadow. For extra drama, add some “blood” by running a red lip liner along the edge of the cut.

Product To Try: NYX – Epic Wear Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner, $10

Vampire

Probably one of the most popular Halloween costumes of all time, vampires are always a hit during the spooky season.

To achieve this look, you can use a basic kit that consists of pale powder, black eyeshadow, dark red lipstick, and false lashes, and pretty much make it as dramatic or subtle as you want.

Product To Try: MAKE UP FOR EVER – Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder, $37

The Countess

The Countess is an iconic character played by Lady Gaga in the TV show American Horror Story: Hotel, and her look is famous for being a combination of gothic, glamorous, and seductive – total Halloween inspo.

To achieve this classy yet spooky ensemble, start by applying a lighter foundation and powder all over your face and adding dramatic contour to accentuate your cheekbones. Next, paint over your eyebrows with a lighter concealer to achieve the classic white Countess eyebrows. Draw an elongated, dramatic wing using black or brown eyeliner, and apply black shadow to your sockets. Finally, finish the look with a dark red lip.

Product To Try: Lime Crime – Liquid Lipstick in Wicked, $15

Lace Mask

If you're up for a challenge, then this lace mask makeup look is definitely for you!

To get the look, start by applying your regular foundation and powder. Then, using black eyeliner, draw the lace mask design. Once you have the shape down, fill it in with black eyeshadow and use white, silver, or red eyeliner to add some highlights. Finally, pair this glamorous makeup look with that beautiful little black dress you've been dying to wear, and you're good to go!

Product To Try: Sephora Collection – Eyeliner Pencil to Go, $6

Pop Art

Pop art makeup is the perfect way to add a little bit of fun and whimsy to your Halloween look.

To achieve this look, start by applying a white base all over your face. Then, draw on classic pop art designs using black eyeliner or eyeshadow. Once you have the basic shape down, fill it in with color. To really make the colors pop, use a bright blue or green for the eyes and a vibrant red, pink, or purple for the lips.

Product To Try: Maybelline – Master Precise Matte Liquid Liner, $9

Bratz Doll

Big, puffy lips, winged eyeliner, and spidery lashes are all you need to achieve the iconic Bratz Doll look.

To get the signature puffy lips, start by lining your lips with a lip pencil. Then, using a lip brush, fill in your lips with color. Use a gloss or shimmery eyeshadow in the center of your lips to make the color pop. Next, using a black pencil liner, add some winged eyeliner. Then, coat your lashes with mascara and finish the look with dramatic falsies.

Product To Try: Anastasia Beverly Hills – Norvina® False Lashes, $12

Queen Serenity

Queen Serenity is a character from the popular anime series Sailor Moon, and her look is ethereal, regal, and perfect for Halloween.

To achieve this look, start by applying a pale foundation all over your face. Then, draw on the classic Sailor Moon crescent moon on your forehead using a white pencil liner. Next, apply a grey shadow to your lid and inner corner, and use a sparkly silver shadow on the rest of your eyelid. To really make the eyes pop, add some false lashes and winged eyeliner. Finally, finish the look with a glossy pink lip.

Product To Try: Valentino – Dreamdust Glitter Eyeshadow in Skydust, $32

Daphne Bridgerton

Daphne Bridgerton is a character known for her romantic, feminine, and dainty style from the popular Netflix series Bridgerton. Achieving her look is simple and perfect for a last-minute Halloween costume. All you have to do is curl your hair into loose waves, apply a peachy blush to your cheeks, and add a glossy pink lip.

For the eyes, you can either keep it simple with some mascara and a pinkish nude shadow, or you can go for a more dramatic look by adding false lashes and a champagne sparkle on the eyelids.

Product To Try: Charlotte Tilbury – Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Champagne, $34

Butterfly

Soft and dainty, but make it Halloween. This beautiful look can be achieved using a black liquid liner to draw intricate butterfly wing designs around the eyes.

Start by drawing the basic wing shape with the black liner. Once you have the shape down, fill it in with a black shadow. To really make the wings stand out, use a white pencil liner to add some highlights.

Product To Try: stila – Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner, $23

Angel

White liner, sparkly eyeshadow, pinky lip gloss, and rhinestones. That's all you need to create this pretty angelic look if you're looking for something a little fancier and less spooky.

Product To Try: Get Stonned – Holographic Rhinestones, $17

Deer

Despite how impressive this deer makeup looks, it's surprisingly simple to pull off.

Start by applying your regular foundation, powder, and a lot of bronzer or cream contour to define the hollows of your cheeks and make them look slim and narrow, like a deer's features. Then, using a white pencil liner, dot on some false freckles all over your face to give the illusion of a deer's coat. Next, use a brown liner to fill in your brows, add definition to your eyes, and of course, paint the tip of your nose. Finally, coat your lashes with mascara and finish the look by applying brown lipstick on the top lip, followed by a swipe of glossy lip balm for a beautiful yet subtle shine.

Product To Try: Charlotte Tilbury – Airbrush Matte Bronzer, $56

Closing Thoughts

These are just a few last-minute Halloween makeup ideas that are perfect if you're looking for something quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive. So, don't stress if you're feeling uninspired or short on time. Just grab whatever makeup you have lying around and get creative! After all, Halloween is the one time of year when you can truly let your creativity flow free and enjoy a little bit of spooky fun.

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