35 Scary Halloween Costume Ideas That Will Haunt Your Dreams
From iconic horror villains to spooky storybook twists, these Halloween costumes deliver fright, creativity, and Halloween spirit.
If you want to make a lasting impression this Halloween, forget the “sexy witch” tropes and embrace what the holiday is really about: scaring the living daylights out of your friends, family, and anyone you pass on the street. Whether you love a classic horror movie villain or want to put a spooky twist on pop culture, these 35 scary Halloween costumes will help you channel the chills and thrills of the season. Ready to terrify? Here are the best ideas for a haunting Halloween.
Pennywise from IT
Few clowns are as instantly bone-chilling as Pennywise. To embody this twisted Stephen King villain, use white and red face paint to recreate the terrifying makeup. Accessorize with a red balloon for an unmistakable finishing touch.
- White face makeup base with red accents
- Orange wig with exaggerated shape
- Ruffled collar or clown costume
- Optional: yellow contact lenses for added scare
Emily from Corpse Bride
Tim Burton’s Emily brings uncanny elegance to your Halloween look. Achieve her blue-hued skin with face and body paint, and finish with a tattered wedding dress and a long blue wig.
- Heavy use of blue and white face paint
- Darkly shaded eye makeup for a sunken effect
- Veil and faux flowers for the bridal touch
Ghostface from Scream
This costume is simple to assemble but never fails to instill fear. All you need is the infamous white mask and a long black robe.
- Ghostface mask (store-bought or DIY)
- Black hooded robe and gloves
- Optional: prop knife for dramatic effect
Samara from The Ring
Nothing says “creepy” like a soaked nightgown and lifeless hair. Drape your hair (or a wig) over your face and wear a distressed white dress to become the nightmare that crawls from the TV.
- Long, stringy black wig
- Dirt-smudged, white nightgown
- Pale face paint and shadowed eyes
Arthur Fleck from Joker
The Joker offers numerous costume options, but Arthur Fleck from the latest films is particularly chilling. Recreate the green hair, red suit, and signature face paint.
- Green temporary hair dye
- Burgundy suit with orange shirt
- White, blue, and red face paint
Broken Porcelain Doll
There’s something unnerving about old dolls, and a broken porcelain doll costume allows for creative, spooky makeup.
- Baby doll dress with lace details
- Cracked porcelain face makeup—draw fractures with black eyeliner
- Pigtails and rosy cheeks to complete the effect
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Ouija Board
Turn yourself into a mystical medium with a costume inspired by the legendary Ouija board.
- Black clothing as a base
- Black and white face paint for lettering or board designs
- Optional: planchette-shaped accessory
Chucky
The killer doll from childhood nightmares demands only a striped shirt, blue overalls, a red wig, and some fake scars.
- Red wig styled in spikes
- Striped shirt and denim overalls
- Face makeup with stitched scar details
Spooky Jack-O’-Lantern
Give the classic pumpkin a frightful spin with orange face paint and menacing carved features. Pair with a simple outfit to let your makeup stand out.
- Orange and black face paint to create a carved pumpkin face
- Wear black outfit (LBD suggested)
- Optional: green hat or leafy accessories
Killer Little Red Riding Hood
This storybook character gets a horrifying twist with the addition of gory makeup and a tattered cloak.
- Red riding hood cloak
- Fake blood and special-effects makeup on face and arms
- Basket prop with eerie contents (fake wolf teeth, etc.)
Zom-Beyoncé
Pun lovers and Beyhive members will enjoy this zombie pop star mash-up. Use glam hair and makeup, then distress your clothes and add some decayed effects.
- Glam wig styled like Beyoncé
- Zombie face makeup with exposed “rotting” areas
- Distressed, sparkly costume
Miss Trunchbull from Matilda
The villainess of Matilda is terrifying in her own right. All you need is a stern expression, a belted trench, and a fake unibrow to make kids and adults alike shudder.
- Utility trench coat or tracksuit
- Thick belt and fake mole
- Slicked-back hair in a bun
Creepy Nun
Inspired by horror films like The Nun, this look requires traditional nun attire with sinister face paint to turn the holy haunting.
- Black nun’s habit and white collar
- Pale makeup with dark eyes
- Black lipstick for dramatic effect
The Shining Twins
Team up with a friend and wear matching vintage blue dresses, white knee socks, and deadpan expressions for double the terror.
- Identical, old-fashioned dresses (preferably blue)
- Knee socks and Mary Jane shoes
- Pale makeup and empty stare
Corpse Bride (Variation)
For another take on the undead bride, add ghostly blue contouring and dark shadowing for extra dimension.
- Blue and purple shades around the eyes and cheeks
- Distressed white bridal gown
- Veil with faux cobwebs
Classic Vampire
Nothing is more timeless than a vampire. Use fangs, dramatic makeup, and capes for an elegant yet menacing effect.
- Cape and dark attire
- White foundation, darkened eyes, fake blood
- Fake fangs and red contacts for authenticity
Zombie Cheerleader
Combine the spirit of cheer with chilling undead flair. Rip, stain, or bloody up an old cheerleader uniform and wear sunken eye makeup.
- Old cheerleader costume, torn and dirtied
- Pale skin tones, dark eyes, and fake wounds
- Poms-poms stained with “blood”
Malevolent Witch
Give the witch archetype a frightening makeover with green face paint, elongated nose prosthetic, and ragged robes.
- Pointed hat and flowing robe
- Green skin makeup, fake warts, and dark lips
- Broomstick and ominous laugh included
Headless Ghost
Create a visual illusion with creative props and layers—ideal for shocking your party guests.
- Construct a ‘missing head’ prop with cardboard and fabric
- Long-sleeved cloak to hide arms’ position
- Pale, ghostly makeup on visible areas
Possessed Doll
Take the doll concept further by adding haunting contact lenses and wild, tangled hair. Use white contacts or colored lenses for extra fright.
- Lacy dress and mismatched accessories
- Messy ringlets and cracked face makeup
- Creepy, over-sized fake eyelashes
Demonic Nun
Channel the dark side of religious symbolism with red or black face paint details and exaggerated makeup effects.
- Distressed nun outfit
- Face painted with red crosses or pentagrams
- Black lipstick and sharpened white teeth effects
Killer Clown
For a more creative twist on traditional clowns, use neon or dark face paint, colored contacts, and a wicked grin.
- Neon or black/white clown makeup
- Multi-colored wig
- Blood splatter details for extra scare
Mummy
Classic, effective, and easy. Use torn strips of white fabric for bandages and add some dirt and fake blood for an ancient, authentic feel.
- Torn white bandages layered over clothing
- Smudged brown face paint for an aged effect
- Dark under-eye circles and additional scars
Evil Marionette
Stage makeup with exaggerated mouth hinges and strong blush lines help create a nightmarish puppet effect.
- Paint or draw marionette lines around mouth and joints
- Black-and-white outfit with sharp lines
- Puppet strings or suspenders as a prop
Headless School Spirit
Another illusion costume, this combines classic American high school tropes with horror. Use the ‘headless’ technique with a varsity jacket.
- Fake shoulders above your head
- Bloody letter jacket and school insignia
- Hidden head inside torso lining
Creepy Rag Doll
Similar to the broken doll, but with patchwork clothing and oversized accessories for a folksy, unnerving touch.
- Patchwork or striped dress
- Sewn-on, oversized buttons or patches
- Yarn wig and stitched face makeup
Pop Culture Nightmare
Tackle a terrifying pop culture moment—whether it’s politics turned horror (think a faux election zombie) or viral figures in ghostly forms.
- Dress as a famous figure, but zombified
- Custom makeup to match the reference
- Props relevant to the chosen theme
Vampire Bride
Combine wedding attire with fangs, blood, and haunting veils for a dramatic look.
- Torn wedding dress and long veil
- Vampire fangs and red eye shadow
- Blood splatter on clothes
Classic Zombie
You can’t go wrong with a traditional zombie. Old clothes, torn and dirtied, along with strategic undead makeup, make this a reliable go-to.
- Pale, green-tinged face makeup
- Gouged wounds and faux blood
- Limp walk and guttural moaning encouraged
Witch Doctor
Cultural caution advised: stick to fantasy-inspired elements. Dramatic face paint, skulls, and feathers make for an occultist, chilling effect.
- Staff topped with faux skull
- Layered necklaces and bone jewelry
- Face paint with tribal-inspired designs
Siren from Folklore
Terrible beauty lures victims to doom. Pair glittering scales with elongated, sharp teeth and eerie colored contacts.
- Mermaid-inspired attire, but dark colors
- Face makeup with shimmering highlights and gills
- Fake fangs and webbed gloves
Possessed Schoolgirl
Channel the classic horror trope: blood-stained uniform, wild hair, and intense eye makeup.
- Pleated skirt and white button-up, disheveled
- Fake blood around mouth and neck
- Unkempt hair and torn stockings
Jigsaw Puppet
The spiraled cheeks of the Jigsaw puppet are instantly recognizable. Complete the look with a tux, white gloves, and black wig.
- Tuxedo jacket and red bowtie
- Creepy doll face makeup with red spirals on cheeks
- Short black wig
Demon from the Basement
Frighten everyone by painting your face with sharp contours, blackened eyes, and exaggerated teeth marks.
- Horns and white contact lenses
- Painted ‘cracks’ or wounds on face
- Torn, dark clothing
Ouija Planchette
Pair with the Ouija board or stand alone; cut a planchette shape out of cardboard, decorate with script and eyes, and use face paint to match.
- Headpiece shaped like a planchette
- Matching painted details on face and clothes
- Dark eyeliner to mimic planchette holes
Quick Halloween Makeup Tips for Extra Scare
- White contact lenses make any look more terrifying
- Fake blood can be made at home with corn syrup and red food coloring
- Practice shadowing and contour for sunken features
- Combine special effects gel with makeup for wounds and gashes
- Invest in setting spray to keep your look intact all night
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I choose a scary Halloween costume if I’m on a budget?
A: Focus on DIY options using face paint, thrifted clothing, and items you already own. Many costumes like ghosts, zombies, and witches can be put together with creativity and makeup.
Q: Are there quick last-minute scary costume ideas?
A: Yes! Ghostface, the Broken Porcelain Doll, and the Zombie are all quick to assemble with basic clothing, makeup, and a couple of key props.
Q: What makeup products work best for scary costumes?
A: Use face paints, cream-based makeup, black eyeliner for detail work, and fake blood. White and red contacts take the look to the next level but are optional.
Q: Can I make a couple or group costume from these ideas?
A: Absolutely! For couples, consider Chucky and Tiffany, the Shining Twins (for two), or assemble a full cast of horror-movie icons for a group look.
Table: Most Popular Scary Costumes and Essentials
| Costume | Key Elements | Makeup Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pennywise | Clown suit, red wig, balloon | White/red base, exaggerated smile |
| Ghostface | Black robe, white mask | Minimal; focus on mask |
| Chucky | Striped shirt, overalls, red wig | Facial scars, fake stitches |
| The Shining Twins | Matching dresses, socks | Pale skin, sunken eyes |
| Zombie | Ripped clothes | Undead skin, wounds, blood |
| Broken Doll | Baby doll dress | Cracked lines, large eyes |
Whether you’re channeling a Hollywood horror legend or inventing your own chilling twist, these scary Halloween costume ideas will ensure that you stand out at any party, haunt the memories of your friends, and truly embrace the spookiest time of the year.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g7483361/scary-halloween-costumes/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/news/5015-halloween-make-up-tutorials
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/g23653854/best-halloween-costumes-of-all-time/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/celebs/kylie-jenner-just-rated-all-her-old-halloween-costumes-out-of-10
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/halloween/
- https://www.aol.com/articles/9-halloween-costume-ideas-surprisingly-160000649.html
- https://thismessisours.com/halloween-cocktail-ideas/
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