Need Halloween ideas? These 5 sexy beauty icons can inspire your costume

Halloween is around the corner which means it’s time to start planning your costume. While some people opt for a more conceptual or meme-ified look, you can’t go wrong with the more traditional cats, witches and clowns. So this year, instead of attempting to figure out how you are going to explain to people at the party that you’ve come as “Bisexual awareness week”, steal something furry from FKA twigs’ feline-themed celebration or lean into your gothic side like Alexa Demie.

Whether you’re searching for your next look or just curious as to what’s been done before, we’ve rounded up five shoots from the Dazed Beauty archives for some alternative Halloween costume inspiration.

Sometimes things are classic for a reason, like the good old cat costume. Back in 2020, a pre-Eusexua, post-MAGDALENE FKA twigs hosted a celebratory cat-themed birthday party, and the guests did not disappoint.

With make-up created by MAC’s Rachel O’Donnell, the feline beats were inspired by the original looks from the 80s stage version of Cats. Take inspiration from twigs guests, who played with hair colour, latex masks and feral brows to put their own spin on the archetypal cat costume. “I think it is just funny to get 100 adults to dress up as cats,” twigs remarks on the inspiration behind the theme.

It’s hard to do an icon justice, but Gabbriette managed to do just that in this Vivienne Westwood-inspired shoot. Make-up artist Jezz Hill, hairstylist Eric Williams and nail artist Juan Alvear, teamed up to pay tribute to some of the icon’s most famous looks.

This included the famous bold Harlequin look from AW89, achieved through a pale powdered complexion, sky-high beehive and sharp brows. If you’re up for trying it yourself, incorporate a red ombre lip and Nina Hagen-esque blush into your routine. And if you’re extra committed, get some signature Vivienne tartan print nails in the mix.

Euphoria make-up may have had its moment, but the hit series’ star Alexa Demie still has us under her spell. Revisit her exclusive Dazed Beauty cover shoot to get inspiration for a gothic witch look. Engulfed in fog and showcasing various Halloween-inspired looks, Demie sports black talon-like nails and gothic black eyeshadow.

Pale face, dead straight hair and a bright bloody red lip, essential. Samurai sword, optional.

Vintage horror with a beautiful twist. Inspired by classic Hollywood horror films, director, artist and Halloween celebrity Frances O’Sullivan’s annual looks are a chilling homage to the genre’s iconic villains. The gallery features everything from exaggerated, bloody gashes to ghostly pale complexions.

While a full-on mermaid tale might be a stretch, take inspiration from the melding of beauty and gore. Contrast an all-American beauty look, coiffed hair and minimal make-up, with faux fangs and trickling artificial blood to replicate one of O’Sullivan’s looks.

Ancient Greek myths aren’t used enough for Halloween costume inspiration. Back in 2018, Petra Collins and the psychedelic rap artist Tierra Whack put together the perfect bridal-cyclops look. Wearing a sickeningly Simone Rocha dress constructed with layers of white lace and tulle, Whack adds long braided pigtails, saccharine pink blush and – the pièce de résistance – a disturbing third eye prosthetic to achieve her cyclops look.

The best thing about this look is that all it really requires is the third eye, the rest of the costume can be completely personalised to your own style, or just whatever you have in the wardrobe.

A version of this article was first published 25 October 2024.