Skeleton makeup season is right around the corner, since it's (nearly) that time of the year when a large chunk of the population scrambles to find the spookiest yet the sexiest of ‘fits. Depending on which Halloween tribe you’re in, you’re either going all out and trying to be as creative as possible, or you’re in the camp that wants an effortless, draw-n-dash situation, that looks like you've made an effort, when you've really just shopped your own makeup bag.
Skeletons are among the most timeless Halloween looks, so if you want to bet on something classic and reliable, look no further. We scoured the internet to bring you the best tutorials for the most epic, most alternative, (and relatively easy) skeleton makeup looks this year.
Truly to die for…
Before we dive in, here are the main products and tools you’ll need for the coolest, easy to do yet spookiest skeleton makeup looks.
The essential Halloween skeleton makeup kit list:
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Face paint palette
- Eyeliner
- Black eyeshadow
- White eyeshadow
- Grey eyeshadow
- Eyeshadow brushes
Your ultimate step-by-step guide for a basic Halloween Skeleton or skull makeup look:
First thing's first, make sure your face is clean and well moisturised. Applying a primer will help your makeup last longer and create a smooth canvas.
Apply a foundation that matches your skin tone to even out your complexion. For supernatural looks, consider using a shade lighter or even a special FX makeup base. Blend well and set with powder.
Eyes are often the centre piece of any good Halloween makeup. Whether you're going for a dramatic smoky eye, spooky skeleton sockets, or the enchanting gaze of a mythical dead creature, make your eyes pop with bold eyeshadow colours, winged eyeliner, and layers of mascara or XXL false lashes.
Use contouring to enhance facial features or create hollows for a more ghastly effect. Use cool-toned contour shades to sculpt your face, accentuating cheekbones and adding shadows.
Face paint can transform your appearance completely. From sugar skulls to fantasy creatures, use face paint to add intricate designs, patterns, or textures. Remember to use skin-safe paints and brushes for this step.
Halloween is the time to experiment with bold, vibrant colours. Don't be afraid to use unconventional shades to create a unique and attention-grabbing look. For fantasy characters, consider applying colourful glitter or iridescent pigments for that ethereal touch.
Lips can make or break a Halloween makeup look. Depending on your character, opt for deep, vampy shades, metallics, or even black lipstick for a gothic touch. Lip liners can help define your lips and prevent colour from feathering and bleeding.
Also, consider adding fake blood, gems, or other accessories to elevate your look.
A good setting spray should stop you leaving a train of black ink all over walls and you're mate's lapels post-hug. A great one will ensure it will all last throughout the festivities. Spray, spray, spray.
The classic skull
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This is a classic skeleton look, which won’t require much from you other than a clean base, black water-activated face paint, and a steady hand. The creator curves and flicks to add a more quirky and idiosyncratic finish. To tidy things up, try using a wet cotton bud. Add cobwebs on the earlobes for a little extra-extra.
American Horror Skull
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To achieve something close to this AHS-inspired skeleton look, you need to void your face of any pigmentation. Use your palest foundation or white face paint as the base. Adding shadows will make the look appear more technical and advanced. Adding lines over the ears will also create that illusion of cobwebs which will make the finished look feel more detailed.
Glow in the dark skeleton
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We love an optical illusion moment and this smart half-and-half skull doesn't just offer us a glimpse under the makeup at the skeleton beneath, it adds dramaaa with a glow-in-the-dark paint to level-up the effect. Plus that black beaded border between the two looks? Mesmerising.
Glitter skull
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Skeleton makeup doesn't have to be spooky, when it can be sparkly. This glitter outlined skull is stunning, and it's fairly easy to follow. Just trace out the shape with your black liner, tap up some spirit gum to stick the glitter down then go over the outline with some glitz and a fluffy brush.
Simple skull
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If you're a low-key bbz and favour maximum impact, but minimal effort, this simple skull is for you. It uses products you likely already have in your stash, majoring on a black liquid liner to do most of the heavy lifting. And, a wash of glitter over the eyes and lips keeps things cute.
Dead clown
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The secret for this clown x skeleton fusion is blending, blending, blending. By keeping one part of the face black and white and the other pink and white it gives it a fun and unique effect. Add detailing of bone cracking around the skeleton side by drawing black squiggly lines and to create that pop art effect on the pink side, add white shadows on the contours of the squiggles.
Dark glamour skull
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What makes this look so unique and oh-so-fun is truly the bling. Keep the black lines that represent the hollows of the skull thin and add black rhinestones, face gems, or glitter to really make them stand out.
Skull Doll
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With this look, all you will need is your usual out-out makeup but with harsher and more exaggerated lines (i.e clean base, contour, blush, lashes), and a steady hand. For that doll-like finish, use curved lines and contour around the curves of your face structure to emphasise brow bones and cheekbones.
Siren Skull
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For the ultimate siren skull, goth-girl skeleton makeup look, make sure you use the blackest and most opaque face paint and go over it with a highlighter to add that glowy finish. For extra dimension, add white eyeshadow and highlight the points of the bone structure you want more accentuated, like the contours of the eye socket.
Barbie Skull
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Channel your inner Barbie by making the skull contours' beige (that's to make the top colour pop) and add hot pink eyeshadow over them. Contour the pink lines with black eyeliner to really make them stand out and finish off with glitter all over. Spooky – but make it cute.
Subtle skeleton
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For a more understated and simple skeleton, you can simply add an exaggerated contour down the cheekbones that meet at the chin, and a dark shadow on the temples of your forehead. Easy, spooky, breezy…
Zombie Skull
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Indecisive about whether to go for a zombie makeup look or a skeleton one? How about you go for a mashup of both? Just make sure you include the hues of green and purple, don't forget to draw on a pop art like ‘exposed’ brain. The hollows of the skull must of course also be black. Create that 3D effect by playing around with white shadows.
Devilish skull
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This skeleton design embodies everything people love about Halloween. We're talking the devilish energy, glam, and that eerie looking skull. Use a red liquid pen to draw on the skull hallows, red lipstick for the most glamorous pout, and a couple of red face gems to add extra glitz to the finished look.
Skeleton Fest
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There is an obvious way to upgrade your skeleton makeup and that is of course using crystals decals, rhinestones and fake skull tattoos. These make the finished look so easy to achieve, as all you will need to do is the finishing touches using black eyeliner, and you can amp up the lookup with vampy eyeshadow.
The ethereal better half
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For this look, your kit will look a little different, and the finish will be more ethereal and mermaid-like. Use hues of blue for the eyeshadow and for the hollow of the cheek. Place a gold face sticker over the eyebrow and once you draw the skeleton lines, cover them with face gems and pearls. To make it even more feminine add a loud set of lashes.
1000 gems
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This tutorial is most certainly not for the faint-hearted. If you have 1000 gems and 12 hours of your day free for some messing around though, we’d heavily suggest giving this a go as it looks absolutely insane… When you do, send pics!
For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
