Halloween · Makeup tutorial
How to Do a Vampire Makeup Look
Quick answerA vampire makeup look takes about 30–60 minutes. Lighten your skin with a pale foundation, contour under the cheekbones and at the temples with a cool grey-brown shadow, blend red and burgundy shadow around the eyes, sharpen the brows, wear a deep red or black-cherry lip and add a small drop of mouth-safe fake blood at one corner. Set everything with powder and setting spray.
What you need
| Item | Use | Swap if you don’t have it |
|---|---|---|
| Pale foundation or white cream makeup | Bloodless skin | Your foundation mixed with a little white cream paint |
| Cool grey-brown matte shadow | Hollow cheeks and temples | Grey eyeshadow mixed with a little brown |
| Red, burgundy and black or plum shadow | Red-rimmed, smoky eyes | A red lipstick tapped on and blended with a finger |
| Deep red or black-cherry lipstick | The signature lip | Red lipstick topped with a dab of black or plum shadow |
| Mouth-safe fake blood | The drip | Red lip gloss for a shiny, blood-like dot |
| Fang caps (optional) | Classic vampire bite | Skip them; a closed-mouth smile with a drip works well in photos |
Vampire makeup, step by step
- Prep and primeCleanse, moisturize and apply primer. A matte primer keeps pale makeup from looking shiny under lights.
- Make the skin paleSponge on a foundation one or two shades lighter than your skin, or mix a little white cream makeup into your usual foundation. Blend it down the neck and over the ears.
- Hollow the faceWith a cool grey-brown matte shadow, contour under the cheekbones, at the temples, along the sides of the nose and under the jaw. Blend upward so there are no hard lines.
- Smoke out the eyesPress red shadow along the lower lash line and inner corners, then blend burgundy into the crease. Deepen the outer corners with black or plum.
- Sharpen the browsFill and slightly arch the brows with a dark brow pencil to make the expression sharper.
- Add faint veins (optional)With a thin purple or blue pencil, draw a few fine, branching lines at the temples, then soften them with a fingertip so they look under the skin.
- Paint the lipsLine and fill the lips with deep red or black-cherry lipstick. Blot, then dab a little more in the center for depth.
- Add a blood dripDraw a thin drip from one corner of the mouth with red lip liner, then add a drop of mouth-safe fake blood at the end so it looks wet.
- Set itPress translucent powder over the face, avoiding the lips, and finish with setting spray.
Four vampire looks to choose from
- Classic Victorian. Pale skin, red eyes and a deep red lip, with a high collar or a lace jabot. The look in our AI example above.
- Modern glam. Keep the skin closer to your natural tone, go heavy on a burgundy smoky eye and wear a glossy black-cherry lip.
- Freshly turned. Pale skin with darker shadows under the eyes, smudged red lip and a bit more blood at the mouth and neck.
- Ancient vampire. Strong grey contour on the whole face, very hollow eyes and visible veins. Takes longer but reads clearly in photos.
Common mistakes
- A face that doesn’t match the neck. Always blend the pale base down onto the neck, ears and any visible chest.
- Warm bronzer for contour. Orange tones look healthy. Use cool grey-brown shades for a gaunt effect.
- Too much blood. One clean drip looks more elegant (and less messy at a party) than a smeared mouth.
- Uncomfortable fangs. Follow the fitting instructions of your fang caps, take them out to eat, and never glue anything to your teeth that isn’t made for it.
- Shiny skin under flash. Powder the T-zone again before photos.
Removing vampire makeup
Melt the makeup with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water, then wash as usual. Remove fake blood before it dries completely, and check the label: some formulas can stain light fabrics, so keep a dark towel handy.
See your vampire self before you paint
Want to know if the look suits you? Spooky Portraits turns one selfie into a photorealistic vampire portrait in about 10 seconds, keeping your face shape and expression. Use the free watermarked preview as a costume reference, or unlock the HD for USD $2.99. For more ideas, see six AI Halloween costume ideas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does vampire makeup take?
About 30–60 minutes. A simple version with pale foundation, red eyes and a dark lip takes closer to 20 minutes.
How do I make my skin look pale for a vampire costume?
Use foundation one or two shades lighter than your skin, or mix a small amount of white cream makeup into your foundation. Blend it onto the neck and ears, and contour with a cool grey-brown rather than a warm bronzer.
Can I wear red contact lenses?
In the United States, decorative contact lenses are medical devices and require a prescription and a proper fitting from an eye doctor, even if they do not correct vision. Do not buy them from costume shops without one. Red eyeshadow around the eyes gives a safer red-eyed effect.
Is fake blood safe near the mouth?
Only if the product says it is mouth-safe or edible. Keep fake blood away from the eyes, and note that some formulas can stain light fabrics and pale skin.
Can I see a vampire version of myself first?
Yes. Spooky Portraits turns one selfie into a photorealistic vampire portrait in about 10 seconds. The preview is free with a watermark; HD is USD $2.99.
