With Halloween just around the corner, it signals the urgent course of events about to take place for many: miraculously pulling together that last-minute look meant for the spooky season. While trick-and-treating doesn’t happen much in this part of town, the final October weekend still brings about a formidable schedule of intimate house parties and events. All of which, one might still require a suitable Halloween look to turn up in. For some, the festive season is gladly welcome in their midst; costume parties and the like are almost second nature to them. But for many others, it’s definitely an intimidating station to find themselves at.
Pop culture-inspired costumes—think Marvel superheroes or the red suits from Netflix’s hit drama Squid Game—demand overt investment in purchasing a one-time garment with not much reuse, whilst other more creative DIY outfits might require a significant amount of time that one might simply not have. How then might we find ourselves out of the abysmally strict dress code applied to the upcoming weekend, you ask?
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There would be no better time than now then, to reach past your usual vanity arsenal—and aim for a stupefyingly immaculate beauty look to pull. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be OTT at all; for in the details, is where the magic lies. Rather than a make-up moment that’s meant to cinch in your outfit such as the Joker-esque signature red-and-blue splodge or the deadly aura of Natalie Portman’s Black Swan, these make-up looks merely aim to channel the idea of the spooky season. They’re easily achievable with the products you probably already have and all that’s left to do instead, is for you to dress up the look with some basic wardrobe pieces and accessories to really call it your own.
Without further ado, here are five easy Halloween-inspired beauty looks to try on your own this October weekend—so you can show up to that party without fearing you’ve missed the theme.

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Witchy-goth
When push comes to shove, the goth make-up look will go far in making sure you’re scream-night worthy. Turn up the drama by adding a tinge of maroon to your eye make-up—and make sure to amp up on the graphic liner. To really deliver the witch-like glamour, have those falsies ready and don’t forget to finish it off with a black or dark-coloured lip. By pairing this look with a slinky black dress, chunky boots and a choker or two, you’ll have yourself looking like that goth girl in no time.

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Bloodied victim
For those willing to go a little further with their make-up on hand, perhaps opt to focus on the one telling hue of the season: blood red. By doubling down on the concealer for a pale face base, rub streaks of your lipstick on your cheeks and nose for a bloodied-up mien. Pile on the red eyeshadow on your under eye area and scrunch up your hair into a bun for a dishevelled effect. Team this make-up look with torn-up clothes or a skin-baring dress—very much like the girl in distress in all our film favourites.

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Princess party
Alternatively, you can swing to the other extreme; after all, who ever said Halloween costumes had to be scary? Take notes from some animation favourites in the vein of Disney princesses and leading anime girls; opt for a look that channels soft, dainty and ethereal. For this look, you’ll be wanting to go pink on all fronts: from your rosy cheeks to a dusty mauve lip. For added effect, look to @jessyluxe’s hair moment and add fairy-like motifs to your styled crown.

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It's all in the eyes
For a look that’s fuss-free on all accords, make sure to focus on your eyes. Simply opt to draw a spooky-inspired motif such as an elevated cat eye look or spider webs extending from the eyeliner line. Pull it together with a luscious blood-red lip for added pizzazz.

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For the pumpkin lover
The pumpkin has become the ultimate symbol of the spooky festival—so why not take it further and use that as your inspiration for a look? Here @yuuri_fukuse makes the case for an orange-led eyeshadow moment, but smoked out to give it its tinge of terror. By pairing it with a ginger wig and a statement top, it’s definitely one that’ll have you blending in with the rest of the Halloween crew.