For a classic skeleton face, apply a light base, darken the eye sockets and nose, draw extended teeth, then add hollows along the cheekbones and jaw. Use cosmetics labeled for the areas where you plan to apply them—especially around the eyes—and patch-test unfamiliar makeup before Halloween.
What you need
- White and black cosmetic face paint or cream makeup
- Makeup brushes, including a small angled brush, and/or a sponge
- Black eyeliner pencil or liquid eyeliner
- Optional: dark purple eyeshadow for dimension, setting powder or matching eyeshadow, shimmer powder, and setting spray
This combines the materials in Martha Stewart’s tutorial, updated September 19, 2026, with Mehron’s manufacturer instruction sheet. Treat the list as supply categories, not endorsements of particular products. Choose products labeled for their intended use. Halloween and theatrical makeup are cosmetics, and a color permitted for one area is not automatically permitted around the eyes; see the FDA’s color additives and cosmetics fact sheet.
How to apply skeleton makeup
- Prepare your skin. Start with clean, dry skin. A moisturizer or primer may help makeup adhere, according to Martha Stewart’s tutorial. If you are trying a product for the first time, test it on your arm 24–48 hours before applying it to your face, following FDA Halloween makeup guidance. Stop using it if irritation develops.
- Apply the pale base. Use a sponge or brush to spread a light layer of white cream or face paint across the face. Work evenly rather than applying a thick coat at once.
- Shape the eye sockets. Outline broad dark areas around the eyes, then fill them with black. Blend in dark purple shadow if desired for added dimension. Martha Stewart’s tutorial also covers the brows. Keep products near the eyes only if their labels permit that use; artistic placement does not override product directions.
- Black out the nose. Paint a dark shape over the tip and sides of the nose to suggest the nasal opening. Use a brush or liner to define the edges.
- Plan and draw the teeth. Lightly mark where the teeth will sit before painting them. Use a small angled brush and white or black liquid face paint to draw narrow vertical lines across the mouth area; the tutorial’s design extends them beyond the natural mouth. Refine edges with eyeliner or shadow.
- Add cheek and jaw hollows. Follow the cheekbones with curved dark lines, then deepen the hollows and the jaw area with black paint or shadow. Keep the shading below the cheekbone so the pale area above it reads as raised bone.
- Extend the design if you want. For a neck-and-collarbone version, continue the pale base down the neck, leave a central bone-shaped area, and add white bone lines and collarbone highlights. This is optional; the face alone forms the basic look.
- Set the makeup. Press matching black or white shadow or setting powder over areas prone to smearing. Setting spray is another option if its label allows the intended use. Follow the product directions.
Protect your skin and eyes
- Check the label for intended use, particularly for products applied near the eyes. FDA notes that color additives approved for general cosmetic use may not be approved for the eye area; consult its color additive guidance.
- Do not put products not intended for skin on your face, and follow each product’s directions for application and removal. FDA’s novelty makeup guidance advises gentle, label-directed removal; avoid going to bed with novelty makeup on.
- Remove makeup gently, especially around the eyes. If irritation occurs, stop using the product and remove it as directed.
- Decorative colored contact lenses are not a substitute for makeup: FDA says they require professional fitting and a prescription. See its Halloween safety guidance.
Make the look work for your materials
Cream makeup, liquid paint, eyeliner, powder, and spray serve different roles: a cream base covers larger areas, while liquid paint and liner make defined shapes and tooth lines. Blendability, removal directions, and eye-area labeling vary by product. The available instructions do not establish which formula lasts longest or suits every skin type, so follow the specific label rather than assuming all face paints behave alike.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BOBISUKA HALLOWEEN SKELETON/SKULL FACE MAKEUP KIT contains: Tri-color Cream Face Body Paint Palette(black white and grey-ish blue), Setting Powder(10g) with Powder Puff, 2 Painting Brushes(1 flat shader & 1 detail brush), 2Pcs Sponge Applicators and Black Liner Pencil. The included step-by-step instruction will help you to create variety of scary or funny skeleton looks with ease and confidence!
- 【Non-Toxic Tri-Color Face Paint】The included face paint palette contains white, black and gray-ish blue painting shades, they are creamy oil-based paints and made of high quality ingredients to be easy blended and be gentle on skin. Three colors can be easily shaded together to obtain a wide variety of effects for artistic skeleton makeup or more fantastic skeleton special effects makeup. Easy to wear and easy to clean off with olive oil or makeup remover.
- 【Functions of Every Component】TRI-COLOR FACE PAINTING KIT for creating skeleton, skull, scary ghost, horror ghoul or day the dead makeup looks; SPONGE APPLICATORS is to obtain and apply face paint shades; SETTING POWDER with PUFF is to set the greasepaint and enable longer lasting face painting makeup; 2 ARTISTIC PAINTING BRUSHES for large area painting and detail painting; BLACK LINER PENCIL is to outline and define typical bony teeth and cracks of a skeleton .
- 【Easy Application Steps】Step 1: start with clean dry face, load enough white face paint onto flat brush, or use triangle sponges to apply the entire face(thin coat around eyes); Step 2: fill black face paint around the eyes; Step 3: trace out lines using black liner pencil, blend black into white and use greyish-blue shade for seamless transition; Step 4: define the teeth look; STEP 4: add cracks on face, apply black and white paint on hands; Step 5: seal the makeup by lightly patting some powder on.
- 【Variety Uses on Variety Occasions】The complete skeleton face paint makeup kit is perfect for festivals, carnival conventions, birthday or themed costume parties, SFX makeup, stage & theatre performances, and of course fun Halloween and other occasions! Easily create ghostly skeleton makeup, skull makeup, ghoul costume and cosplay looks with our set. Friendly materials are safe for both kids and adults. A must-have for skeleton enthusiasts!
Rank #4
- PROFESSIONAL: The Mehron Makeup Premium Skeleton Character Kit contains a range of professional-grade products and step-by-step instructions, enabling users to create intricate and realistic skeleton makeup designs with stunning detail. Includes a black-out hood!
- CHOOSE YOUR LOOK: Mehron Makeup Premium Character Makeup Kits offer a comprehensive selection of high-quality, made in the USA products, allowing users to create professional-level character makeup looks with ease.
- COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSORIES: Each Mehron Premium Character Kit includes not only a rich selection of makeup but also essential accessories to enhance your transformation. From detailed application instructions to accessories, these kits provide a comprehensive package to help you achieve a realistic and captivating character appearance for Halloween, Cosplay, Stage and Screen.
- USER-FRIENDLY APPLICATION: Whether you're a makeup novice or a seasoned pro, Mehron Makeup Kits are designed for easy and effective application. The included step-by-step instructions guide users through the process, ensuring that even intricate looks like vampires or werewolves can be achieved with confidence.
- ABOUT MEHRON: For over 95 years, Mehron has been an industry-leading, professional makeup company with a passion for inspiring creativity. Mehron’s award-winning cosmetics and special FX products are used in most stage and film performances in Hollywood, on Broadway, and by artists across the globe. Mehron has been trusted by professionals since 1927 for having the highest safety, performance, and quality standards. Mehron products are made in the USA from high quality ingredients & always cruelty-free.
Rank #3
- Halloween Skeleton Makeup
Rank #2
- 【PRO Face Painting kit】Comes with white face paint(Net Wt.70g/2.46 oz), black face paint(Net Wt.70g/2.46 oz), translucence setting powder(Net Wt.30g/1.058 oz) and 3pcs Artist Brushes. Large-capacity design can meet your more needs, it can be used for face and body.
- 【Black and White Face Paint for Halloween Makeup】From Halloween, Fun Themed Party, Baseball, Football, Hockey Game and Cosplay events to Theatrical SFX makeup or just for special stage effects, this set offers limitless opportunities for artistic expression. Suitable to create Looks like Clown, Joker, Vampire, Zombie, Skeleton, Corpse Bride, Spiderweb, Day of the death and Ghostly makeup.
- 【Highly Pigmented & Good Coverage】Oil based face body makeup paint is creamy, glides on smoothly and a little goes a long way. Provides high pigments to deliver full coverage with velvety finish that will last all day without drying or cracking.
- 【Makeup Setting Powder】We highly recommend using the loose setting powder after applying paints, as its creamy texture will not dry out completely like other professional cream makeup. It absorbs excess oil and sets makeup. Make your look last longer and transform less. Note: Please use a small amount and several times.
- 【Easy to Apply & Remove】Apply smoothly to the skin with a brush, sponge, or fingertips; remove with professional makeup remover oil/ olive oil, wipe clean with paper towel, wash with warm water and facial cleanser.
#1 Best Overall
- 【All-in-One Halloween Makeup Kit for Perfect Spooky Looks】-Contains black & white face paint, black lipstick and setting powder. Achieve classic zombie, vampire or skeleton styles in one box—no extra kits needed, your all-in-one Halloween makeup essential.
- 【High-pigment face paint, formulated with premium ingredients】-can create a striking black and white contrast with just a gentle application. The velvety matte black lipstick has a smooth texture, is non-drying, and boasts a rich, pure black hue, making it ideal for dark makeup looks and on-camera looks.
- 【Special setting powder, waterproof and sweatproof】- paired with special setting powder for easy one-swipe setting. Remove with a damp tissue first, then clean with soap and warm water for a residue-free finish effortlessly.
- 【Safe, skin-friendly, and non-toxic】-Face paint and lipstick are made with gentle skin-friendly ingredients, no harsh smell, non-irritating and hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive skin. Ultra-fine setting powder adheres closely to skin, no caking or heaviness, suits all skin types for comfy long wear.
- 【No professional makeup skills required】-beginners can craft stunning Halloween looks with ease. Suitable for Halloween cosplay, stage performances, themed parties and shows—multi-scene use with excellent cost performance.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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