Step-by-step looks made easy! Discover our Halloween face paint guides and learn how to create everything from spooky skeletons to magical monsters!
Halloween Pumpkin
Ready to make them scream? Carve out a Halloween classic that’s sure to spook with our three step guide to pumpkin perfection.
What You'll Need
- Orange, black and green face paint
- A damp sponge for the base colour
- A medium brush and a small, fine brush for details
- A cup of water and a towel
This pumpkin is one of the easiest Halloween face paint looks to start with, so it's a great pick for first-time face painters and little ones who can't sit still for long.
STEP 1
Using a wet brush and orange face paint, draw two big round shapes around the eyes for a pumpkin-shaped mask. Make sure these two shapes meet and cover the nose. Fill the shape with orange paint and a damp sponge.
STEP 2
Then with a small brush and black face paint, outline the pumpkin leaving a small space in the middle of the face for the stalk. Add three curved lines to the bottom of each side of the pumpkin and a triangle on the tip of the nose.
STEP 3
With a small brush and green paint, draw a shape above the top of the nose for the pumpkin stalk.
Green Witch
Hop on your broomstick and make a cauldron potion! Transform into a Green Witch with this simple 3-step face paint guide.
How to Paint a Green Witch Face
- Step 1: Sponge bright green face paint all over the face, then dab a little bright yellow on top. Avoid the eyes and mouth.
- Step 2: With a fine brush and black face paint, draw cobwebs above each eyebrow and paint a little spider hanging in the middle of the forehead. Don't worry about perfection: a little wobble adds to the witchy charm!
- Step 3: Paint a second spider hanging down the side of the face in black, then add a few magical white and black dots and stars on the cheeks, around the eyes and on the cobwebs to finish your witchy makeover.
Fast Frankenstein
It's alive! Frankenstein's monster is a Halloween face paint classic that works for kids and grown-ups alike, and you only need dark green, black, white and red to pull it off.
How to Paint a Frankenstein Face
- Step 1: Sponge dark green face paint all over the face. Dab black paint over the eyebrow area with the sponge to create a heavy monster brow.
- Step 2: With a brush and white paint, add bolts at the sides of each eye. Then paint scars and stitches on the cheeks, forehead and the sides of the mouth.
- Step 3: Go over the scars with bright red, add black to the sides of the mouth, and finish with a spiky black fringe across the forehead.
Rainbow Pumpkin
Carve out a new Halloween classic with this colourful Rainbow Pumpkin. It’s so fresh it’s just been picked from the patch!
How to Paint a Rainbow Pumpkin Face
This bright twist on the classic pumpkin uses brush pens, so it's perfect for quick, clean lines.
- Step 1: Draw a pumpkin shape with a black brush pen, with a curved outline, triangle eyes, a triangle nose and a zigzag mouth.
- Step 2: Fill in the outline with an orange brush pen. Then add a few curved black lines on the forehead and cheeks to give the pumpkin its round, 3D shape.
- Step 3: Draw a stalk with a green brush pen and outline it in black. Paint vertical stripes in different colours on the chin so the rainbow looks like it's pouring out of the mouth, then finish with little white dots in clusters of three across the pumpkin.
Halloween Face Paint Tips for Beginners
New to face painting? These simple tips will help every Halloween face paint look go on smoothly and come off easily.
- Start with a clean, dry face. Tie hair back and wipe away any moisturizer so the paint sticks evenly.
- Do a patch test first. Dab a little paint on the inner arm and wait before painting the whole face, especially on sensitive skin.
- Use a damp sponge, not a wet one. Too much water makes paint streaky. Build up colour in thin layers for a smooth base.
- Work light to dark. Sponge on your base colours first, then add black and white details with a fine brush.
- Keep it away from the eyes. Leave a small gap around the eyes and lips, and never use acrylic or craft paint on skin.
- Short on time? Halloween stencils and face paint sticks make quick work of spiders, bats and stars.
Halloween Face Paint FAQ
What kind of paint is safe to use on the face?
Only use cosmetic face paint made for skin, like Snazaroo face paint. Acrylic, poster and craft paints are not made for skin and should never be used on the face.
How do I remove Halloween face paint?
Water-based face paint washes off with mild soap and warm water. Gently wipe it away with a soft cloth instead of scrubbing, then follow with a gentle moisturizer.
What do I need to get started?
A few colours of face paint, a sponge for the base colour, a fine brush for details, a cup of water and a towel. That's all you need to create every Halloween face paint look in this guide.
How long does each look take?
Each guide above takes just three steps, so they're quick enough to finish before the trick-or-treating starts. Practise once before Halloween night to get comfortable with the brush work.
Get Your Halloween Face Paint Supplies at Opus
Ready to get painting? Visit one of our seven Opus Art Supplies locations in British Columbia or shop online for brushes, sponges and everything else you need for a spooky Halloween.
