Frighteningly Simple: The Minimalist's Guide to Halloween
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Halloween has been a fascination of mine for quite some time. Why? The opportunity to dress up as anything you want is exciting, even if it is only for a weekend. However, recently, there has been a noticeable shift in Halloween costume trends. More people are embracing concept costumes that rely heavily on makeup rather than outfits. Makeup now stands as the star of numerous looks.
In some ways, the entertainment industry has influenced this makeup-centered approach, where a few strokes of eyeliner or glitter can distinguish an entire look. TV shows, like Euphoria, have proven how powerful makeup can be in establishing personality and mood with intentional choices. Social media platforms, like Pinterest, have shown how transformative makeup alone can be, thus inspiring people to make makeup the main subject of their Halloween looks.
This year, animal print is having a major moment. Leopard spots and tiger or zebra stripes drawn on the face or around the eyes with eyeliner have increased in popularity. These looks are usually completed with an animal print outfit, or a black bodysuit and skirt. For this look, the makeup is what stands out. The details of each animal print become the costume’s defining feature — whether you’re drawing from soft rosettes for a leopard look or bold orange and bold stripes for a tiger look. The result is simple yet visually striking, celebrating the spirit of the animal with quiet clothing and accessories.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Similarly, a Cleopatra-inspired costume focuses heavily on eye makeup to make the look recognizable with just a few key features. Thick, dramatic eyeliner, bold gold accents, and winged lines create an iconic classic costume Cleopatra look with minimal makeup essentials. For this costume specifically, people tend to stray from the traditional white and blue outfit and focus on the gold accents to bring Cleopatra’s essence about in a modern way. Incorporating gold-liquid eyeshadow and blue eyeliner enriches the look and pulls from historical movies.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Another popular idea stems from the recent sequel release of Avatar. With just a few shades of blue face paint on the forehead, white dots, and some contouring, people are able to transform themselves into the Na'vi characters. Yes, some may take the full-bodysuit route, but for those in hot weather, a simple brown set and this type of makeup is key. Subtle touches like cat eye contacts or small braids in the hair add authenticity, making the transformation complete with minimal effort.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
This shift to minimalist outfits and maximalist makeup allows for creativity without requiring an elaborate costume. Makeup now serves as the focal point of many Halloween looks, making it possible to embody iconic characters, animals, or abstract ideas with just a few strategic touches. It’s a fun, expressive way to celebrate Halloween, combining simplicity with the freedom to interpret a wide range of personas — fitting the spirit of Halloween without all the layers of the costume.
Strike Out,
Writer: Maria Carrillo
Editor: Dani Hernandez
Tallahassee