Halloween Makeup Alternatives That Are Actually Good For Your Skin

At Skincare.com, we believe that no Halloween costume is complete without a stellar beauty look… but, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your skin care in order to achieve your ghoulish glam. Which is why this year, we’re kicking party store makeup and face paint to the curb and sticking to the good stuff. From antioxidant-formulated face makeup that can hydrate and protect your complexion to a lip and cheek stain that doubles as fake blood to a black lipstick that can perfect your pout, we share thirteen scary awesome, skin care-inspired beauty products you need this Halloween, below.

FACE

Fake Blood: The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in “Red Pomegranate”

If you’re rocking fake blood this Halloween, swap out your usual party store blood for The Body Shop’s Lip & Cheek Stain in “Red Pomegranate.” Not only can you rock this [ED1] lip and cheek stain long after Halloween, it’s lightweight, long-lasting formula is infused with the brand’s Community Trade aloe and vitamin B5 to protect and comfort the skin, too! To use as fake blood, simply dip the applicator in the stain and dab over your fake wound.

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain, $16

Pale Skin: L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup in “Porcelain”

Give your complexion a ghostly appeal by switching to a foundation that is lighter than your natural skin tone. We recommend L’Oréal Paris’ True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup in “Porcelain.” If porcelain is your natural skin tone, use a white eyeshadow as a powder to take your paleness up a notch. Unlike most party store Halloween makeup or face paints, this True Match foundation is formulated with antioxidant-rich vitamin C and E and water— so, your skin can stay hydrated and comfortable all Hallows’ Eve. 

L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup, $12.95 

Dark Shadows: Maybelline’s Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil in “Sleek Onyx”

Whether you’re going as a sugar skull or a mummy, you’re going to need to outline your face with a dark pencil, like Maybelline’s Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil in “Sleek Onyx.” Waterproof and smudge-resistant, this gel eyeliner can give you dramatic definition and precise lines when drawing on your face makeup.

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil, $7.99

Blush: Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush

With over 16 shades to choose from (including purple!), the Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush is perfect for any character makeup you may be rocking this Halloween. In addition to its variety of colors, this compact blush is formulated with light-diffusing pigments that can enhance your skin’s natural glow. This Halloween, give your skin a flushed look with “Quiver,” define your cheekbones with “Rapture,” or go bronze with “Paranoid.”

Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush, $26

Glitter: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Loose Glitter

It’s not Halloween makeup without a little bit of glitter and Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Loose Glitter comes in a variety of gorgeously pigmented (and sparkly) colors. From royal blue to hot pink to gold, you can bedazzle your complexion, eyelids, hair, and body with the Heavy Metal Loose Glitter. Pro tip: use a skin hydrating balm, like NYX Professional Makeup's All Over Balm as an adhesive. The added moisture will allow the glitter to stick to your complexion while also hydrating and nourishing skin.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Loose Glitter, $ 

LIPS 

Mummy Lips: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick in “Haze”

If you’re going as a mummy— or the recently deceased— this Halloween, stop by your local drugstore and pick up NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick in “Haze.” This grey lipstick goes on smooth, won’t make your lips feel dry, and can give your pout a look of immortality. For extra hydration, apply a lip balm to your lips prior to application.

NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick, $6

Vampiress Lips: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick in “Perfect Red”

Halloween or not, red lips are a staple in any beauty arsenal. This Halloween, get vampy with NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick in “Perfect Red.” The blood red color pairs well with some fake blood and fangs— just saying.

Editor’s tip: If you’re going for a glossy-look, dab some clear lip gloss or lip balm on top of the Matte Lipstick. Not only will this give you a juicy pout, it can hydrate your lips, too! 

NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick, $6

Alien Lips: NYX Professional Makeup Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in “Out of This World”

Get out of this world with a green pout that is sure to turn antennas— we mean, heads. NYX  Professional Makeup Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in “Out of This World” is a bright green lip cream that gives a similar effect to lip gloss with a metallic finish. For added hydration, layer a moisturizing lip balm underneath.

NYX Professional Makeup Cosmic Metals Lip Cream, $7.50

Goth Lips: NYX Professional Makeup Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in “Alien”

Halloween is the perfect excuse to rock black lipstick and NYX Professional Makeup Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in “Alien” is the perfect shade of black for all things gothic. The best part? This waterproof, cream to matte lipstick is formulated with avocado oil and olive fruit oil and can leave the lips feeling hydrated with every wear.

NYX Professional Makeup Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick, $7

EYES 

Glitter Eyeliner: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner

Give your eyes some extra glitz with Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner. Formulated with peach, cucumber, and carrot extract, this ultra glittery eyeliner can not only illuminate your eyelids with the brand’s Heavy Metal Glitter, it can condition, and give skin a silky smooth feel, too. And with seven shades to choose from, there’s something for every costume!

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, $20

Colored Eyeliner: NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Liner

Get colorful with NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Bright Liners! With a collection of nine shades to choose from, you can line your eyelids with them or use the bright colors for face paint designs. 

NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Liner, $7

Eyeshadow: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette in “Brights”

Whether you wear it every day or save it for special occasions— i.e. Halloween— eyeshadow is a great way to transform your look. This Halloween, instead of using a party store palette, stop by your local drugstore and pick up NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette in “Brights” (they also come in “Warm Neutrals,” “Cool Neutrals,” and “Smokey & Highlight). This pro-level palette contains sixteen eyeshadows that can help you achieve your Halloween glam in a few swipes. 

NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette, $18

Lashes: Urban Decay Perversion False Lashes

Don’t forget the lashes! This Halloween, go for some quality lashes that you can use again. Urban Decay carries a variety of lashes to choose from that are sure to blow party store lashes out of the park. Amp up your Halloween glam with the brand’s Perversion False Lashes in “Glitter Drop.” These dramatic winged lashes can give your eyes added definition with a pop of glitz!

Urban Decay Perversion False Lashes, $15