24 Halloween Makeup Ideas from Instagram Beauty Experts

It’s almost impossible to choose just one look from the jaw-dropping portfolio of work by Vanessa Davis of @the_wigs_and_makeup_manager but we settled on this unique ceramic skull look, which Davis notes was “Dutch inspired.”

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Heavily inspired by the promotional media for American Horror Story: Apocalypse (amongst other inspirations), @pigeon_pie_art has taken the trend of “swipe” makeup looks to another level with this striking creation. Be sure to check out her YouTube links (located on her Instagram profile) for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the process of completing these unbelievable looks.

Hayley McCourt, under the Instagram account @mua_hay, is a vegan makeup artist based in London with a passion for ethical products and a knack for transformative makeup. As far as her top tip for aspiring makeup artists — or even just fans looking to create their own beauty looks — Hayley says, “not be afraid and just go for it.”

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@mua_hay does it again, with her “hooked mermaid” look.

Hayley McCourt suggests not taking it too seriously when first trying you’re your own makeup looks, “Remember its just a bit of fun and about self expression so you can't really go wrong.”

Sometimes what seem like the simplest look is actually the most striking. This look by Abby Roberts of @abbyrobertsartistry (done in collaboration with @keilidhmua) creates an illusion that spans the whole face, with intricate detail used to cast the snake’s shadows and movement. This look, inspired by the Gucci snake, took Abby 6 hours!

Erika Marie of @erikamariemua is an artist based out of Edinburgh who does everything from lessons to bridal and editorial makeup. With a portfolio of completely transformative full-face makeup looks, it’s staggering to imagine the amount of time and detail that goes into each creation.

From spooky skulls to glam circus makeup, Erika Marie of @erikamariuemua masters it all. Erika created this look to celebrate hitting 90,000 followers on Instagram – and with this much talent, we won’t be surprised if that number is more like 900,000 by this time next year. We love it all — from the sequin eye and lip detail to the circus-tent-inspired neck makeup — just WOW.

No, this isn’t an illustration – this is the real-life makeup artistry of self-taught makeup artist Kelly Nantes, who runs the Instagram account @ekilateral.

Manchester-based self-taught face and body painter Samantha Helen of @samanthahelenmua is an undeniable beauty, but you would never know it by looking at this Freddy Kreuger-inspired recreation. Don’t believe us? Swipe over to the next slide for a behind-the-scenes peek at Samantha’s journey to becoming the famed Nightmare on Elm Street…

We’re true to our word — here is a quick glimpse into @samanthahelenmua’s steps to becoming Freddy Kreuger.

LA-based makeup artist and cosmetologist Ruzanna Vartikyan of @ruartistry, who has been featured on Lifetime and CW, is a source for makeup inspiration year-round. When it comes to everyone’s favourite spooky season, getting into the spirit is no problem for Ruzanna, who’s clearly mastered the art of Halloween glam. Can you say contour-queen?

It goes without saying, this makeup look by Errica DeBiasi of @e_creative1 is unmistakable — and made all the more awesome by it being the female version of the infamous DC Comics supervillian Two-Face.

Giving us lots of lip-detail makeup inspiration is face painter Nicole Quinn of @msquinnface.

Makeup artist, trainer and YouTuber Drew-Ashlyn is busy – and we’re not surprised – with talent like this, it’s no wonder the artist at the helm of @drewashlynmua is in high-demand. Now excuse us while we go turn on some lights…

Makeup artist Toshi Salvino of @dollfille, who was inspired to create this look by a character from @komunhorangi (photography credit to @katrin_albert) has more than just her talent to share — she has a message.

This body painting creation, she explains in her caption, is about feeling good in your own skin as well as a personal documentation of her journey after having gone through a biopsy for a (fortunately, benign) lump in her breast. When artists can use their work to promote positive messages and self-love — as Toshi has done here — that’s the kind of inspiration we could all use more of.

We love this super cool pink cyborg creation by Toshi of @dollfille (in collaboration with @amazing_jiro).

Toshi’s tips for your own makeup creations? “My number one tip is to start with a nice smooth base of white”. Toshia adds, “Use a beauty blender for perfect smoothness when applying foundation”. And a tip for aspiring makeup artists on a budget: “Wet n wild makes amazing cheap brushes!”

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The ultimate femme-bot, makeup and hair artist Shahrose Shahzad of @makeupbyshahrose knocks it out of the park with her Terminator-inspired Halloween makeup look.

Inspired by the Tim Burton character, this Corpse Bride look is dead-on (no pun intended). When asked what tips she has for aspiring makeup artists, Cass Lloyd of @casslloydfx quotes Tim Burton with, "Don't worry about how you ‘should’ draw it. Just draw it the way you see it.” Of Burton, Lloyd goes on to say, “He is one of my biggest inspirations for the work that I create, and this quote is something I always keep in mind while I’m creating different character makeups”.

This one’s going to keep us up tonight.

Final thoughts from @casslloydfx ? “Don’t try and be like everyone else. Be you, and put your own unique spin on whatever it is you’re creating”.

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21-year-old self-taught makeup artist Amy Husiman of @amythedutchess has no shortage of inspiring makeup looks to choose from, but we were blown away by her spin on the “blank canvas swipe” makeup look.

Giving us all the underwater glam is super-talented Julia Salvia of @beautybyjulia.

Inspired by the Netflix hit show Stranger Things comes this cool reimagining by makeup artist @ashleykaylamakeup.

A master at detailed eye makeup, artist Maria Moreno of @_kinamoreno expands on her signature artistry with this amazing glam clown look.

We had to do a double take with this phenomenal creation by Federica Ricci of @la_snika.