When Halloween hits, many of us simply drip some fake blood from our mouths, pop in a pair of fangs and call it a day. Playing with bold, messy eyeliner, experimenting with glitter that finds its way into every crevasse of our space and exploring special effects can feel overwhelming at first. Fortunately, this spooky season we have you covered with a lineup of our favourite make-up artists who know every trick and treat in the book when it comes to creating the ultimate Halloween look. Whether you want to exude seduction with a sultry femme fatale look, go bold with creature-like adornments, or release your inner clown, here’s everything you need to know to avoid panicking in the bathroom while trying to put in a creepy contact lens.

MATHILDA MACE

Only self-taught special effects make-up artist Mathilda Mace could make demon fauns, futuristic reptiles and mutant creatures as sultry as they are scary. As a Forbes’ 30 Under 30, she has a sheer talent for transforming her megastar clientele, which includes the likes of FKA Twigs, Megan Thee Stallion and Yaz XL, into sexed-up otherworldly beings straight from a sci-fi universe. After entering her matrix of obsidian-encrusted skin, prosthetic studs and diamond embellishments, it’s no wonder why these women appear spliced, sculpted and stitched beyond recognition. She has transfigured Megan Thee Stallion into a seductive panther, while FKA twigs was metamorphosed into a demon faun for her Thank You Song music video and the models at Mowalola’s SS25 show became cyborg extraterrestrials. Mace’s creations are where vortex glam meets uncanny prosthetics.

What make-up look should we go for this Halloween?

This is a tough one because I have so many references that I would love to see recreated. I have to start with a favourite of mine – it would be Ava from Ex Machina. I’d purchase a robot catsuit, making sure it went over my face. I’d make sure I got one that is super tight and as similar to her body references as possible, and then I’d cut the belly out and the ears/face out so that my skin was out where hers is. I’d probably free style a bit and cut the ass out and knee caps or something too because I cant help myself. Then using Prosaid Cream I’d stick the edges of the fabric I’d cut out to my skin so it didn’t move around. Then I would purchase something called 3rd Degree Silicone Modelling Compound, which is basically a product you can mix and apply to seams that blends edges, so I would add this to the edges where the fabric meets my skin, so it looks like my skin has grown over the suit.

Another that would be super iconic would be Sofia Boutella from Star Trek Beyond (2016) – if you look her up you will get the reference, she is iconic. You can purchase nose/brow prosthetics on Etsy or from a prosthetic store, but I would apply this and then spray myself white. Then I would paint down my cheeks and face, some tattoo black markings. I’d probably take it over my whole body and continue the markings over my nipples.

What Halloween or horror movie character do you relate to most and why?

I don’t know, I relate to the blue humanoids in Fantastic Planet because they live in an alternate world inside human space. But also Jennifer Lopez in The Cell, she goes into an alternate dream space of the mind to investigate. I feel like I relate to her in the dream world because she’s shown a lot of darkness but also beauty and she flows through the alternate landscapes. I feel like I do this with my work and the way my mind works too. And I guess I am drawn to the darker subjects like her.

What are you going as for Halloween this year and how will you achieve the look?

This year if I manage to get out in-between moving houses I for sure want to do Anna from 1981 Possession partially. I am obsessed with pale skin and gorgeous features, very thick hair and lashes. So I would paint my self chalk white, and using varnish tooth lacquer I would paint my teeth red, and then alike her would pour blood from my mouth down my neck. I think I’d want I too look like I wasn’t trying to execute a Halloween look so I’d just wear a tracksuit so it looked like this was my actual reality. I’m also so obsessed always with Natalie Portman from Black Swan. Id love to do a look similar to the last one but with all plucked bird skin over my body, and attach feathers in areas like around my ears and in my belly button so it looked like I’d been birthed and washed but a couple of feathers remained. I could make the plucked skin with silicone A & B.

Bo Quinn

Bo Quinn’s signature make-up mood blends the boldness of drag with the whimsy of clowning. Think porcelain-white skin, a sharply contoured nose, and dramatic, feathered lashes with bold red lips that contrast the vivid, angular accents that are painted across the face. The London-based make-up artist is a self-proclaimed drag clown and pro make-up artist channelling the influence of London’s queer club scene into their work. Looking to distort and transform the face, Bo pairs his looks with contact lenses to dehumanise the eyes. The MUA’s striking Instagram feed is meticulously curated to showcase their distinctive artistry, with collaborations featuring major brands like Diesel and Spotify.

What make-up look should we go for this Halloween? And what products, props, and special effects should we use to create the look?

I’ve seen some really cool Beetlejuice looks this year, of course because of the new film – which will always be a classic suggestion. I also love the recently viral ‘Doll Face’ trend by @planetberny inspired by Val Garland! I think it’s such a cool, simple but effective idea and actually really creepy and perfect for halloween. The only thing you need is a wig cap or a pair of tights, chuck them on your head and go to town with your design. Even recreating your everyday make-up on top of this is going to work. Add a pair of lashes on-top or a fun wig to create a 3D effect to your faceless doll and you’re good to go. You can do as dramatic as you please with this one. I did a clown inspired one of course. Also it’s cool because you can remove it and reuse it for next year!

What Halloween or horror movie character do you relate to most and why?

Although obviously I am not a crazy serial killer, Art the clown from the Terrifier films looks like he could be a relative of mine and when I first saw the films I was obsessed with the make-up and the prosthetics, the time that must of taken! I also relate to the fact that he just wanders the street in his clown get up so nonchalantly – unbothered by the world around him, destroying anything that gets in his way – iconic!

What are you going as for Halloween this year and how will you achieve the look?

Sometimes I struggle at Halloween which is bizarre, I think because everyday is spooky season with me and my make-up. I had an idea that it could be interesting to go as a ghost, a white sheet vibe. Which obviously is the most basic thing ever but I thought it could be interesting to paint my signature make-up on the face and cut out the classic eye holes, drape it over and dress it up with some platform boots and be some sort of gothic ghost.

Glasha Gurianova

Moscow-based make-up artist Glasha Gurianova has been busy building up a loyal Instagram following with her intentionally mismatched content. Some of her make-up looks experiment with striking animal prints, while others radiate glamour with faces drenched in glittery sparkles. Elsewhere, bold strokes and fluttery eyelashes meet with a soft glam base, while colourful mascara and playful, rogue cheeks create high-contrast statements. If you’re in need of some last-minute Halloween beauty inspo, look no further – Glasha has you covered.

What make-up look should we go for this Halloween?

I would highlight two points in choosing Halloween make-up. The first is the convenience of wearing, that is, you should understand that if you go to a party, this make-up should comfortably last on your face. The second is the organicity of your mood, that is, if you want, for example, to find a friend who likes it, then you probably want to be beautiful. If you just want to hang out with girls and are not interested in finding a couple, for example, then you can generally do the scariest, ugliest make-up. In general, it seems to me that it is interesting not to follow straight trends, but to look for inspiration somewhere, say, in old films, but not super common. In general, I cannot say that there are any rules, because the main rule is the absence of rules, not to follow them in everything in this. For example, if we talk about the trends of Halloween 2024, I really like the paired images from Lana Del Rey’s wedding with a crocodile hunter. And the second option, I really like the cracked porcelain doll. It’s interesting, it looks very beautiful and unusual. If you, for example, like to paint, then try to make this option.

What Halloween or horror movie character do you relate to most and why?

To be honest, I don’t associate myself with any Halloween or horror movie character, because I like different genres. I really love, for example, the movie Silent Hill. By the way, you can take, for example, a nurse’s costume from Silent Hill. It always looks very nice. I really like zombie movies. At the same time, I love, for example, the movie Suspiria with witches. It is always very difficult for me to choose one genre, because the mood is changeable, I am changeable and it is very difficult to decide on one thing. By the way, I really like the tendency to take characters from Shrek even now. I think it’s a super funny story.

What are you going as for Halloween this year and how will you achieve the look?

Since I am an actively working and shooting make-up artist, I shoot all my Halloween images immediately before the holiday, and on the holiday itself I work and collect other people. By the onset of October 31, I am already saturated with this topic to the fullest, and on Halloween itself I just want to sit quietly at home to be honest. But this year I was already a porcelain doll and Avril Lavigne. I’ve already made a vampire image, not on myself, but on a friend. I’ve already made a skull out of rhinestones. I’ve already done a girl in tattoos. And I know there will be a few more images. But as if I’ve had enough for now. Unfortunately, the schedule does not allow celebrating this year, but if I went, I would probably choose a paired image with my husband. I really like the costume with an inflatable crocodile under my arm. I also want to add to the words above that I actually don’t like bloody images very harshly on Halloween, because it seems to me that there is a lot of violence in the world right now and I personally don’t want to intensify it even more. I probably like either beautiful or just funny images more.

Dee Carrion

Inspired by Lady Gaga‘s fearless approach to fashion and beauty, LA-based make-up artist Dee Carrion creates work that is both experimental and transformative. Her glam-punk aesthetic pairs detailed linework with vibrant colours, while rhinestones swirl across the face in a variety of patterns. She even plays with decals as stencils to produce precise designs that have a mosaic quality. Dee’s celebrity clientele includes the likes of Rico Nasty, SZA and Saucy Santana, and she even got to glam Tems for the Met Gala in between touring alongside Doechii for the Doja Cat Scarlet Tour. Pushing against the conformity of conventional make-up, this MUA’s work is limitless.

What make-up look should we go for this Halloween?

My friend Malcolm recently went as his star sign! And I loved that idea! I think it’s such a cool concept and you’re able to get really creative and make it personal to you! You could use prosthetics or even utilise fake scorpions (if you’re a Scorpio like me!)

What Halloween or horror movie character do you relate to most and why?

I would say Wednesday from The Addams Family! Firstly she wears all black and so do I everyday. I also love that’s she’s I also feel like I can relate to her because she’s a little odd and weird and I love that!

What are you going as for Halloween this year and how will you achieve the look?

I’m going to be a red mummy! I have a bunch of fabric, gauze wrap and pins and I’m going to layer, wrap and cut to create a sort of mummy look!

David Gillers

Born in Latvia and based in London, make-up artist David Gillers stands out for his avant-garde interpretations of subcultures – such as goth – anime and visual kei (a Japanese music genre). His work ranges from surreal, steampunk-infused looks complete with models donning everything from silver skin with faux-piercings and skinny-browed femme fatale faces to club-kid-meets-kawaii characters with white foundations and pink blushes. Not to mention his editorial work which calls to mind both David Bowie’s Starman and the Alien franchise. This uniquely subversive style has seen Gillers transform Salvia, Mimi Dey and models in Harri’s SS25 show into captivatingly ethereal creatures.

What make-up look should we go for this Halloween? And what products, props, and special effects should we use to create the look?

This Halloween, I anticipate a surge of looks inspired by The Substance, and Longlegs but I would love to see more ambitious creations inspired by the movies featuring full-on prosthetics – think multiple limbs (boobs) and fantastical monstrosities! Here’s hoping the queens of Halloween really bring it to life! For something more accessible yet still striking, I recommend a spectral, ghostly look with an editorial twist. This is the perfect occasion to experiment with opalescent, cool-toned shadows. Consider covering your body in a shimmering duochrome finish for that ethereal glow and editorial touch. One of my favourite brands for this is Cosmic Beauty (@cosmic_brushes). It offers stunning palettes filled with duochrome, multichrome and opalescent shades. Plus, it’s UK-based, WOC-owned and cruelty-free – definitely a win!

What Halloween or horror movie character do you relate to most and why?

I absolutely love Art the Clown from the Terrifier series. His blend of comedic goofiness with a gory, inventive edge really resonates with me. He perfectly embodies that mix of silliness and horror that checks all my boxes! Plus, his mime-inspired make-up has become one of those iconic looks in horror cinema that I can’t help but admire.

What are you going as for Halloween this year and how will you achieve the look?

This Halloween, my only costume will be the “Overworked MUA”! Honestly, I really don’t mind it as I live, eat and breathe my job as a make-up artist. I’ll embrace the chaos with a bit (or a lot) of smudged make-up and a coffee cup in hand.