These are the trending make-up looks for Halloween 2023
As your booking sheets fill with Halloween make-up appointments, we bring to you a heap of inspiration. By analysing TikTok views, beauty retailer Justmylook were able to find what clients are really after this spooky season, so here are 10 of the looks you could be creating this weekend.
Creepy clowns
According to TikTok, clown makeup has been crowned the most popular look for this year, reaching over 2.5 billion views on the platform.
@bigfatjenna if little jenna could see me now 🥺 i was PETRIFIED of IT when i was younger :( #clownmakeup #itmakeuplook #itclownmakeup #bigfathalloween #31daysofhalloween #halloweenmakeup #halloweenmakeup2023 #halloweenmakeupinspo #halloweenmakeupideas #halloweeninspo2023 ♬ original sound - Kathryn Denny
Think smoked-out lines, black-lined lips and a glossy red pout. For those clients wanting to go one step further, consider some lime-green contact lenses... surprisingly quick to execute while maintaining a high level of creep factor.
I'm a Barbie Girl
In second place is Barbie makeup which has gained over 1 billion views. Barbie makeup has seen a sizeable 313% increase in Google searches in the last three months. Following this data, it’s clear Greta Gerwig’s recent hit movie has left a pink mark on the spooky season.
@justjadelauren Come on Barbie, let’s go party 💕 #dollmakeup #halloweenlook #halloweenmakeup ♬ Barbie Girl - Lady Aqua
Hi Barbie! Whether your client wants to step into the stilettos of President Barbie, Weird Barbie or Lawyer Barbie, try creating a natural, 'no-makeup-makeup' base, soft eyeshadow and a rosy blush. Pair this with a sleek, blonde 'do and some glitzy jewellery and there you have it - Barbie. Add a bit of fake blood to give Barbie a horror edge.
In a gothic world
On the other end of the spectrum but sharing the second spot is Goth glam which, this autumn/winter, has become an antidote to Barbie summer.
@isabellekategm gothic vampire makeup all halloween pls 🩸🧛🏻♀️🖤 @Glossier stretch foundation Sheglam contour wand @urban decay pro customizer concealer @Fenty Beauty invisimatte powder @Kaleidos Makeup ‘black jasmine’ eyeshadow quad Fenty diamond bomb @meltcosmetics slick waterline eye pencil ‘black’ @KVD BEAUTY ‘Lolita por Vida’ eyeshadow palette @Lancôme hypnose drama mascara @Wildcatlashes ♬ Nur deutsche dürfen v Bucks Handel machen - alias
Find your inner Bella (or Edward) Cullen within with sunken-looking eyes, glistening highlights, a smoked-out wing and some bloody lips.
The IT girl
Next in the ranking is Pennywise makeup, with the hashtag #pennywisemakeup reaching over 330 million views on TikTok. We’ve seen tons of MUAs getting creative with the Halloween classic, check out this one below.
@sydneypurl You’ll float too 🎈🩸 #clownmakeup #pennywisemakeup #horrormakeup #halloween (ib @keilidhmua ♬ original sound - Rhia👑
We love this twist on classic clown makeup, for those horror film fanatics. To channel Pennywise, start with a white base, add depth and shading with a black shadow and add as much fake blood as your client wishes. And don't forget those thin, furrowed brows.
Playing with colour
Perhaps surprisingly for spooky season, Rainbow makeup comes in at number five, closely followed by Butterfly makeup, gaining over 295 million views. Both offer a playful, colourful look for Halloween for those who would rather be sweet than scary.
@sophiehannah She probably gives you butterflies 🦋 vib: @rubymediamakeup #fyp #butterflymakeup #halloweenmakeup #5secondsvs5hours ♬ happier - Olivia Rodrigo
Halloween looks don't always have to scream blood and gore. Have fun with your favourite, brightest colours to create one of these looks...
Channelling Pamela Anderson
In seventh place is 90s makeup, which is no surprise after the decade became hugely popularised within the beauty industry by 90s icons including Pamela Anderson. Many clients want to achieve the same retro, frosted glam look for Halloween.
@anastasile 90s glam makeup for Halloween 🖤
♬ A Gangster's Wife - Ms. Krazie
90s trends in general have dominated the beauty, hair and fashion industry for the past few years, so it's no surprise that clients are looking to this decade for their costume inspiration. Take your client back in time with thin brows, smokey shadows, dark waterlines and carefully carved lips.
Avatar's assemble
Avatar makeup comes in eighth, with the Halloween look gaining over 280 million views on TikTok. Avatar made its comeback onto social media following the film sequel's release last December.
@haliesiepert Day 6! Avatar Makeup 🩵💙#halloween #halloweenmakeup #makeup #30daysofhalloweenmakeup #avatar #avatarmakeup #makeuptutorial #halloweencostumeideasforfriendgroup #screammovie #VozDosCriadores ♬ originalljud - ✫꧁𝓣𝓢𝓔𝓵𝓛꧂✫
We love this creator's use of white eyeliner to replicate an Avatar's trademark glistening skin. To take it that one step further, try a layer of blue face paint over your client's face and neck, and go in with darker blue shades to begin defining the face.
The Joker
Popular almost every year, Joker makeup reached over 250 million views on TikTok. Use a super fine eyeliner to etch out the mass of "HAHA's" that swarm one of your clients eyes, and lightly dust black eyeshadow over the area to add that edge.
@rubymediamakeup Why so serious?🃏prosthetic from @SpecialFXBex #jokermakeup #hallowween #fyp ♬ original sound - rubymediamakeup
Fairycore
Last but not least, in tenth place is fairy makeup, which has rapidly become a popular aesthetic across social media. The look has gained over 246 million views on TikTok and has become a common go-to Hallowen look for fairycore enthusiasts. Try pastel colours, mini gems and lots of glitter.
Or, for a spooky twist, why not try a midnight fairy look on your client. We like this one...
@beautybybetsy.xo Midnight Fairy 🌙🌑🧚♂️ #darkfairycore #fairymakeup #halloweenlook ♬ original sound - <3
Happy Halloweening! For another dose of inspo, here's our favourite celebrity Halloween looks from last year.