Half-Skeleton Makeup Is Trending for Halloween, and It’s Scary Good (2024)

If you’ve ever spent hours researching Halloween makeup ideas on Instagram, you’ve probably seen your fair share of cool-but-impossible-to-achieve-IRL makeup looks. Skeleton makeup definitely falls into that category. There's a lot of intricacy involved in getting every little detail just right. But thankfully the makeup gods (read "beauty bloggers") felt for the skill- and time-strapped among us, and half-skull makeup was born. It's got all the spooky marks of classic skeleton makeup for Halloween but still lets you wear a smoky eye.

We called on makeup artist Lijha Stewart (also known as the "Queen of Halloween") to guide us through this step-by-step skeleton makeup tutorial. Here's exactly how to get the look.

Preparation

Level of difficulty: On a scale of 1 to 5, this a solid 4. Yes, even though only half your face is actually painted, nailing the shading and symmetry of that portion is pretty hard.

Amount of time required: Unless you’re an artist, plan to reserve an hour and a half to complete this look.

Supplies you'll need:

• Undereye concealer
• Eyebrow gel
• Black kohl eyeliner
• Shimmery white eye shadow
• Matte brown eye shadow
• Black eye shadow
• False eyelashes
• White face paint
• Translucent finishing powder

Step 1: Brighten your undereyes

Since the bottom half of your face will be covered in black and white face paints, don’t bother wasting time (or precious product!) prepping that area. You’ll want to focus on making your undereyes as even-toned and bright as possible. We used a full-coverage creamy concealer and set it with translucent finishing powder. Next, you’ll want to intensify your brows with a slightly-darker-than-normal brow gel or pencil. If going bold scares you (or if you think it just looks weird), don’t worry. Once the rest of your face is done, everything will feel balanced.

Step 2: Create a smoky eye

Next, pack a black shadow on top with a dense brush to set your base. With a fluffy brush, apply warm brown eye shadow into the crease as your transition color to add some intensity. Be sure to sweep it under your lower lash time as well. Finish it off with a shimmering white or cream shade in the inner corner as a highlight.

A pair of attention-grabbing lashes finishes the look. This step is completely optional, but if you want to have fun with it, a big, feathery pair will work best. Top them off with mascara, and you’re done. (PS: Here's a tutorial on how to apply false eyelashes if you need it.)

Step 3: Trace skeleton outline

Now for the fun (yet nerve-racking) part: Outlining the skeleton. “For symmetry purposes, it’s best to work side by side,” says Stewart. “That way everything stays even and you don’t end up with lopsided teeth.” Start by outlining the mask, nose, cheekbones, and teeth with a black kohl pencil, since they're super blendable it's easy to fix any mess ups. Then, use a white pencil to fill in the teeth and add highlights. With a skinny eyeliner brush, apply a black waterproof gel liner on top to darken and intensify. Remember to work slowly, don't get stressed out if things aren't perfect. If you need to fix any part of your outline during the process, try using a damp pointed cotton swab to soften or smudge any mistakes.

Step 4: Fill in with white paint

We know this seems counterintuitive. Wouldn't you want to start with white face paint, then layer the black over it? Nope. Here's why: “When layering black over white, it turns gray,” says Stewart. “And you want the black to be as dark and pigmented as possible.” So, lest you look like a big gray smudge by the end of the night, use a flat, tapered eye shadow brush to fill in the white parts; using gentle outward strokes, starting from the center of your face out toward your hairline. You might need to apply it in a few different layers, so be patient.

Step 5: Shade with black liner

At this point you might want to go in and touch up any wonky lines or creases that might appear. You’re also going to want to build out and intensify the hollows of your cheekbones and make your skeleton teeth appear more realistic by shading and blending. How to do it: Reapply your black liner where needed, and, with a dense shadow brush, buff out any harsh lines using light, sweeping motions. Take your time—this step is crucial for getting your skeleton just right. One tip for the teeth: “You can’t really mess this up,” says Stewart. “The more crooked the lines, the better.”

Step 6: Set the look

Make sure all your hard work stays put during whatever trouble you may get up to (imagine this melting off mid-treat? Tragic), be sure to set your makeup. Set all the black areas with a black eyeshadow, and then use translucent powder on a large, fluffy brush on the white makeup. For an extra layer of security, mist your whole face with a setting spray. After that, you're set for the night.

Face Mask Alternatives

Let's state the obvious: Since it only covers the lower half of your face, this look is pretty much impossible to wear with a mask without smudging. So if you love the look of half-skull makeup but need a costume that works with a face mask, check out a couple cool Halloween face masks perfect for the holiday, below.