30 Best Easy Halloween Face Paint Ideas That Even Unartistic Parents Can Attempt
If you can't sew, try to paint!
Whether Halloween is your favorite holiday or you can’t wait until the fake cobwebs and Jack-o'-lanterns are packed up for the season, there’s something undeniably special about going all out on the 31st — especially when it comes to costumes. Your kids probably have the idea, the costume, and the props all set, but if you really want to take things to the next level, finish off that look with some easy Halloween face paint ideas. (Don't worry: We didn't forget about you. We have some Halloween makeup ideas for adults too.)
Whether your kids want to look like cute, fuzzy animals or one of their favorite characters from movies and TV — or whether your makeup application skills are beginner, intermediate, or expert — we have a look that will inspire you. Just add face paint! If you're looking for costume ideas from scratch, we can help with that too. These last-minute ideas are useful in a pinch. Or check out these ideas for Halloween costumes for kids, Halloween costumes for toddlers, or Halloween costumes for babies. Also, why not get the whole family together and dress in a group costume? Happy Halloween!
Tiger Face Paint
Your little cartoon tiger will think this makeup idea is greeeeat (sorry, we had to).
Butterfly Face Paint
For a truly unique costume, draw on a beautiful butterfly and complete with a flower crown to transform your little one into a butterfly princess.
Fox Face Paint
With just a simple drawn-on nose, ears, and an orange outfit, you've found the perfect halloween costume for school.
RELATED: 65 Kids' Halloween Costume Ideas for Easy, Creative, and Unique Trick-or-Treating
Scarecrow Face Paint
Another super easy last minute Halloween face painting idea. To take it a step further, add red circles on the cheeks.
Avengers Face Paint
Learn how to turn your Tony Stark-fan into Iron Man with this step-by-step tutorial.
Cat Face Paint
Going as a cat is the go-to easy Halloween costume for both kids and adults — so it only makes since that this tutorial works for both trick-or-treaters and grown-ups.
Kitten Face Paint
For a simpler idea, draw on little whiskers to complete your child's DIY kitten costume.
Giraffe Face Paint
Add as many, or as little, spots as you'd like. To go the extra mile, add two loops on top of your head for a really convincing giraffe transformation.
Deer Face Paint
Oh deer — only have make-up to use as face paint? With brown and white eye shadows and a black eye-liner pen, you can pull of this convincing deer makeup.
Pikachu
Pikachu, I choose you! And with a little yellow, black, red and white face paint (and this tutorial, of course), you can too.
Melted Ice Cream Face Paint
Forget the donut trend: It doesn’t get much sweeter than ice cream face paint, complete with yellow sprinkles to top off the look.
Scary Skull Face Paint
Skip the whole-face makeup, but keep the menacing mug with this skull-inspired look, which centers around one eye and uses just two colors.
80s Rocker
A little star and skull go a long way especially when paired with a colorful wig to complete an '80s rocker look.
Jack Skellington Face Paint
Your tween-ager will look like he just stepped off the set of The Nightmare Before Christmas with this Jack Skellington face paint, which comes together surprisingly fast.
Little Red Riding Hood Face Paint
The wolf may have gotten a swipe in, but he's no match for this Halloween-ified version of Little Red Riding Hood.
'The Incredibles' Face Paint
An Incredibles-inspired mask is a great way to add some extra dimension to their Mr. Incredible or Elastigirl costume.
See more at Colorful Day Events »
RELATED: 35 Halloween Movies for Kids That Won’t Keep Them up All Night
Flames Face Paint
Here’s another way to make a big impact without much makeup — this time using red, yellow and black to create a look that’s sure to light things up.
See more at Marvelous Masks »
Cat in the Hat Face Paint
The nose and whiskers on this Cat in the Hat costume couldn’t be easier to do. It only takes one color!.
See more at Desert Chica »
Minnie Mouse Face Paint
If your little one isn’t into wearing mouse ears, this cute Minnie Mouse-inspired face paint makes an adorable alternative.
See more at Kiki's Faces and Balloons »
Pink Butterfly Face Paint
Move over kittens and bunnies, this adorable butterfly will steal the show this Halloween — and you can easily sub in whatever color matches her favorite dress and wings.
Marisa Iallonardo is a writer, editor, and communications pro covering health, parenting, lifestyle, and more.
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