30 Best Halloween Face Paint Ideas to Bring out Your Artistic Side This Year
Transform yourself into your favorite character!
Artsy people thrive during Halloween, and it's easy to see why. The amount of creativity that shines through certain Halloween costumes is unmatched—and that's not to mention the people who go above and beyond to decorate their homes for their extravagant Halloween parties. So, when the mention of a painting one's face for the holiday comes up, our craft-minded folk out there don't even bat an eye. If you've got a Halloween event coming up that could use some festive designs on your face (or your kids'), then you've come to the right place. Below you'll stumble upon the best Halloween face paint ideas.
There are plenty of iconic Halloween looks on here. Those who are fans of the movie Beetlejuice will be pleased to see a character-inspired look on this list. And those who like to keep it a bit more simple could go for one of the many animal face paint ideas (such a lion, fox, or dog.). But if you wanted to show off your art skills, there are plenty of spooky options for that too! In fact, you may not even need a costume or wig with some of these creative Halloween face paint ideas. Whether you're looking for a kid-friendly look or something for yourself, there's inspiration on this list that fits just about anyone's costume plans. And if you need an alternative to face paint, check out our Halloween makeup ideas!
You can never get too much of Halloween:
Cartoon Halloween Face Paint
Head into a truly animated Halloween by making yourself into a cartoon. This one is colorful and bold (with the help of a bright wig to pull it together). Using a Q-tip will go a long way.
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
Butterfly Halloween Face Paint
Butterflies hold lots of meaning! Embody that energy by creating fluttering wings across your face. You can go with any color combination you like, really!
Rag Doll Halloween Face Paint
Who said face painting needs to be hard? It can be as simple as drawing some dots across your face and calling it a day! This rag doll look is one that anyone can complete.
Get the tutorial from A Beautiful Mess.
Optical Illusion Halloween Face Paint
Halloween is all about magic (or so they say), and you can make everyone feel like they're experiencing just that with this optical illusion look.
Black Cat Halloween Face Paint
Black cats are a symbol of Halloween, which makes this one an obvious choice. Get some paint on your nose and upper lip. Then, put dots around your cheeks accompanied with some eyeliner, and you're good to go. (Though, you should invest in some cat ears, too.)
Get the tutorial at Brit + Co.
David Bowie Halloween Face Paint
David Bowie's red and blue lightning bolt is one of the most famous symbols out there, which makes this idea a must-try. After you've got the bolt down, you can add some glitter and other trinkets for flare.
Ursula Halloween Face Paint
Ursula is one of Disney's greatest villains, and a lot of her power can be attributed to her signature look. You'll want to add hues of blue and purple across your face to really nail it.
Get the tutorial from Keiko Lynn.
Pop Art Halloween Face Paint
Art... but make it pop! This desired trend is cute, simple, and so fun. You can pretty much wear just about any outfit with this, but you could also choose to match it with the colors of your choice.
Get the tutorial from Brit + Co.
Cupid Halloween Face Paint
Spread love on the spookiest day of the year when you channel this cupid look. Pink and red will make you look vivacious and bubbly, which everyone could use a little of during Halloween.
Elf Halloween Face Paint
Elves being pigeonholed to Christmas was the first mistake. These magical beings are big parts of supernatural stories, very fitting for Halloween. The face painting this one requires is light—you just need some strides of green here and there (especially around the eyes), and you can let the outfit do the rest.
Jack Skellington Halloween Face Paint
Everyone knows that a pale face, two black eyes, and a zippered mouth is none other than Jack Skellington. Recreate the look alongside a black and white striped shirt or jacket.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Deer Halloween Face Paint
Though the ears are a bonus feature—all you really need to be a deer is some white freckles, eyelashes that stand out, and a cute raised nose! Luckily for you, it's all achievable with some face paint and make up.
Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.
Vampire Halloween Face Paint
Spiking your hair and wearing a cape is just the first step to channeling your inner vampire. If you really want to embody the mystical creature, you're going to have to draw on some fangs and some bruised looking eyes!
Fox Halloween Face Paint
If you think you're as sly as a fox, then paint on a black triangular nose that complements your best orange fit! Now you just have to sneak up on your family and friends when they least expect it.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.
Frankenstein Halloween Face Paint
Go all out in green to complete this Frankenstein look! Added points if you walk around in the exact fit and have your hands straight in front of you the whole time!
Dog Halloween Face Paint
You can never go wrong with an adorable pup as a costume! If you choose to opt with this Dalmatian look, you'll just need some black and white paint, and some cloth for the ears.
Get the tutorial at Twist Me Pretty.
Tiger Halloween Face Paint
Tigers are fierce in the jungle, but majestic as a Halloween costume! Yes, wearing orange and black stripes is a must—but go the extra mile by painting your whole face orange and drawing on some black and white whiskers.
Vintage Clown Halloween Face Paint
There are clowns, and there are vintage clowns. Both are creepy, but this one just feels pretty artsy. Once you get that puckered lip on right, the rest is pretty easy!
Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.
Haunted Scene Halloween Face Paint
If you consider yourself someone on the artsy side, then showcase your skills with this detailed scenic look! You could draw the haunted scene you see here, or come up with your own daunting portrait.
Mime Halloween Face Paint
Everyone loves a good mime! This one requires no words, just some black and white face paint (with matching clothes), and your ability to stay very, very quiet!
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Josiah is the Digital Content Producer for the commerce team at Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling Magazine. He also writes for “BIO Buys”—a column on Biography.com—giving readers the lowdown on what products their favorite celebs are using. In another life, Josiah was an editor at ThePioneerWoman.com, where he sharpened his expertise on all things lifestyle, food-news, and entertainment. Outside work related matters, he’s a fan of Studio Ghibli films, unimportant reality TV drama, and melancholy Lorde songs.
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