Would it even be the month of October without vampy, statement-making lips, eyes, and/or cheeks making their debut?? It’s Spooky Chic Makeup Season!
I am a big fan of Halloween – always have been. There’s nothing I love more than decorating my house in funny orange pumpkins, glittered skeletons (yes, I have these), and autumn shades of garland and cozy scented candles everywhere! Note – last week’s pumpkin spice-inspired makeup look here if you haven’t already seen the tutorial.
Also, the makeup artist in me THRIVES around Halloween, and I love an excuse to dress up as any character I want, and use my makeup techniques that are out of the ordinary to transform my face! Now that I have 3 teenagers, sadly, I find they are “too-cool-for-the-Halloween” stage! Boo…llitereally. Here’s a look at a handful of my makeup creations throughout the years…
All this said, October makeup doesn’t have to mean full-on costumes or heavy face paint, though. The key to pulling off Halloween-inspired beauty is balancing the “spooky” with sophistication.
Instead of going mega theatrical, think chic: sultry, smoky eyes, wine-colored cheeks, and a vampy dark lip that feels polished, not playful. Here’s how to achieve these three looks. Either worn separately or together, you choose!
1. Wine-Colored Cheeks
A flush of wine, plum, or mauve on the cheeks creates that perfect fall vibe—rich but elegant. For mature skin, you want a blush formula that blends seamlessly without emphasizing texture.
In this case, I’d suggest a cream blush such as the super gorgeous Merit Beauty flush balm cream blush, $30 in shades “cheeky” or “postmodern.” Or, like I’m using here for my budget-friendly gals, the NYX Buttermelt blush, $11, in shade “for the butta” which is a pretty deep mauve with a slight hint of highlighter – so you can skip that extra step! This drugstore formula literally swipes on like “butta” in the smoothest, almost creamy way!
Stipple either of these two products onto the highest part of the apples of your cheeks, blending high up toward the temples. This BK beauty angled blush brush, $28, is divine if you’re in need of a great blush brush. Wear this with a simple eye makeup look and a bordeux colored gloss for ease.
I chose the Maybelline Glaze oil balm, $6, in shade “acai glaze,” to pair with these cheeks. These oil balm formulas are lovely for the non-lipstick gal that wants color with hydration but without it feeling heavy.
2. Vampy Dark Lips
Nothing says spooky-chic like a dark, bold lip. Shades of blackberry, deep plum, or oxblood are incredibly flattering and add instant drama. And if you’re gonna do this look, do it!
The trick is precision: use a lip liner to define your edges and prevent feathering.
I used the newest shades of the Anastasia Beverly Hills velvety matte precision liners, $22, and I went with the darkest one they offered – “Amethyst” a deep purple with a black base that I lined, then smudged in really good with my finger to blur. If this scares you, then try the shade “blackberry.”
Then I went with their complimentary velvet matte lipsticks, $26, in shade “Berry Mocha,” which is a rich, deep brown with cool berry hues. It turned out so moody-spooky! But it is “a look,” so if this scares you (well, it is Halloween season!), then move on to the next look. It’s okay, I like to give you options to think outside the box sometimes.
3. The Sophisticated Smoky Eye
A smoky eye is timeless—and it instantly adds a touch of drama. To keep it chic yet simple, stick with rich browns, charcoals, or soft plums rather than glittery or overly intense black shades.
I made this more fun by using a non-traditional black liner, and opted for a deep chestnut reddish chocolate brown liner – Hourglass Voyeur waterproof liner in “chestnut,” $28.
I did a quick act of smudging the eyeliner pencil along the inner lower AND the upper lash line, not worrying about perfection – makes it more smokey looking in the end!
Then I blended a greyish brown shadow right over the liner upward, just above the crease, for a diffused effect. The palette I’m using is already discontinued, but you can find a similar shade in this Sugar palette here, $32, in shade A3.
Then I used the same shade to softly smudge along the lower lash line, but staying super close to it for definition without dragging the eye down. Make sure to leave room for a matte ivory shadow right underneath the brow bone, and don’t take your smoky eye up too high.
I finished off with an extra coat of black mascara on upper and lower lashes for emphasis with the Lancome Lash Idôle mascara, $30 (which I wish I didn’t like so much because of the price point!).
I switched to the iconic Clinique “Black Honey Pop” gloss, $28, to go with this smoky eye, which never disappoints.
4. Spooky Chic Makeup: The Finishing Touch
Pair these elements together if you’re bold, or wear them separately, and you’ve got a makeup look that’s equal parts moody and modern—perfect for dinner parties, festive nights out, or simply embracing the season.
Remember, spooky can still be sophisticated, and with the right touches, we can rock Halloween-inspired glam with chic confidence.
My Look Details:
Similar bold fall-like floral maxi dresses here from Tuckernuck, $298, from Boden, $249, and Boden, $174. Mine is a splurge Anthro dress from last year, but it always makes me feel so elegant and cool to have a flowy maxi dress on in an amazing print. // Similar gold drop earrings from Amazon, $16, and Quince gold drop earrings, $84. // My Amazon cheetah ring, $12, and chunky double gold ring, $10. // Similar black plastic skeleton wine goblets, $22. So who is brave enough to try one of these three spooky chic makeup looks??
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