Halloween has always been my favorite time of year — it’s that one moment where you can truly become anyone (or anything) you want. From the spooky to the sultry, I went all in this season and tried five completely different looks. Each one gave me a totally different vibe, whether it was dark and gothic or glam with a twist of horror.
Here are the costume and makeup combos I personally wore — with all the outfit details, beauty breakdowns, and honest impressions. If you’re still deciding what to be this Halloween, I hope this gives you a little creative spark.
🦇 Gothic Witch Vibes: A Dark, Elegant Look with Ritual Energy
The Fit:
This was actually the first Halloween look I planned this year — I’ve always had a soft spot for anything mysterious, slightly vintage, and dripping in dark glamour. So naturally, I went full gothic witch mode. I wore the Killstar “Occult” Maxi Dress, and I swear the second I zipped it up, I felt like the high priestess of some ancient coven. The black velvet has this almost liquid shine to it, and the corset-style waist gives you that ultra-snatched silhouette without being uncomfortable.
To layer up, I added a custom velvet cape I found on Etsy — slightly floor-grazing with a contrasting satin lining that peeks out when you move. It made every step feel cinematic. For the witch hat, I went classic: a structured pointed one from Spirit Halloween with a touch of black mesh detail. Simple, dramatic, and exactly the right amount of extra.
To bring in a little ritualistic energy, I paired the look with Alchemy Gothic silver pentagram jewelry — bold, witchy, and very photogenic. If you’re planning to take any moody candle-lit shots, trust me, these pieces will steal the scene.
The Makeup:
For makeup, I went full smoky enchantress. I used the Urban Decay Smoky Palette to create a deep, shadowy eye — layering blacks, charcoals, and a hint of silver shimmer on the inner corner. The goal was that “creature of the night” gaze, without going full zombie.
Lips were the final punch: MAC’s Retro Matte in Diva, a deep wine-red that looks borderline vampiric in low light. It pulls the whole look together — cool, powerful, and just the right level of spooky sophistication.
The Vibe:
This look makes you feel like someone. Not a costume, but a character — tall, poised, maybe cursed (in a good way). It’s not about fake blood or over-the-top props — it’s about energy. If you’re into elegant silhouettes, luxe textures, and witchy drama without looking costumey, this one’s for you.
💉 Bloody Nurse: Sexy Meets Scary
The Fit:
This was hands-down my most daring look of the season — a blood-splattered nurse outfit with just enough edge to make people do a double take. I wore a short, distressed white uniform dress (mine’s from Leg Avenue, they never miss with Halloween staples). It has subtle blood stains and red piping on the seams, giving it that vintage emergency-room-gone-wrong aesthetic.
What elevated the whole vibe was the waist cincher detail — it instantly added shape and structure, which balanced out the short length. I paired it with white thigh-high stockings and a pair of platform heels to add just the right touch of “Halloween after dark.” Honestly, it was giving nurse, but make it horror-flick couture.
The Makeup:
I went full-throttle with the makeup here. I kept my base ghost-pale using KVD Lock-It Foundation, then did a dramatic blood-red eye look, letting the color drip slightly under my eyes like I’d been crying tears of rage. The lips were the real showstopper — I created a ripped-mouth illusion using SFX latex and fake blood gel (Mehron is my go-to for this). Super realistic and borderline disturbing — in the best way.
The Vibe:
This look is not for the shy. It’s sexy, chaotic, and perfect for wild Halloween nights — think club parties, haunted house events, or anywhere strobe lights and fog machines are involved. Just be ready to have your photo taken a lot… people love a creepy nurse.
🕸️ Wednesday Addams: Deadpan Chic with a Gothic Twist
The Fit:
I’ve always wanted to channel Wednesday Addams — not the cartoony version, but the more fashion-forward, moody-genius kind. I wore a black A-line dress with a crisp white Peter Pan collar (mine’s from Hot Topic’s Halloween collection), and kept it just above the knee for that youthful-but-creepy silhouette.
I paired it with black knee socks from Calzedonia and my trusted Dr. Martens 1461s, which gave the look a grounded, slightly punk undertone. The whole thing felt like I’d stepped out of a Tim Burton dream — structured, monochrome, and quietly unsettling.
The Makeup:
I kept the face pale with cool-toned contour from Fenty’s Match Stix in Amber to give that slight sunken-in look. For eyes, I used a soft wing with deep brown shadow to deepen the crease (Urban Decay’s Naked Basics is perfect for this). The lips were a mix of Rare Beauty’s “Fearless” topped with matte black eyeshadow for that muted, bruised berry tone. Nothing glossy, nothing warm. Just pure, calculated gloom.
The Vibe:
Lowkey but unforgettable — this look doesn’t need fake blood or prosthetics to stand out. It’s perfect for gallery nights, moody dinner parties, or any Halloween event where you want to serve quiet intensity. Bonus tip: the less you smile, the better it works.
🦷 Vampire Countess: Luxe, Lethal, and a Little Bit Lusty
The Fit:
If you’re in the mood to be the most dramatic person in the room (in the best way), this vampire countess look is it. I found a burgundy corset dress with velvet panels and lace detailing from Dolls Kill’s “Midnight Masquerade” collection, and it was love at first bite. The neckline is off-shoulder with structured boning, and the skirt flares just enough to move with you when you walk (or glide?).
I layered it with a dramatic black cape from Amazon — complete with a hood and satin lining. For accessories, I went with a Restyle bat choker and some oversized cross earrings from Hot Topic. The vibe? A little bit Anne Rice, a little bit Versailles-after-dark.
The Makeup:
I went full glam-vamp with this one. Sharp brows, dark burgundy lips (I used MAC “Sin” with a touch of gloss in the center), and smoky eyes with hints of red and plum using the Huda Beauty Rose Obsessions palette. I also added subtle vampire veins around my temples and jawline with a fine eyeliner brush — just for that undead touch.
The Vibe:
It’s sexy, mysterious, and timeless. Great for upscale Halloween events, masquerades, or photoshoots in gothic architecture. Add a pair of fangs (I used Scarecrow’s deluxe set) and some body shimmer, and you’re ready to haunt hearts.
👿 Demon Doll: Sweet, Possessed, and Slightly Unhinged
The Fit:
This was my wildcard look — part creepy porcelain doll, part mischievous demon. I wore a puff-sleeve baby pink dress from Dolls Kill’s Sugar Thrillz line (so cute it hurts), but added dark elements to make it more unsettling. I strapped on a pair of mini devil wings from Leg Avenue and tied a black lace ribbon around my neck like a cracked Victorian toy.
On my feet: chunky Demonia Mary Janes and lace-trimmed fishnet socks from Hot Topic — giving “possessed little princess” in the most fashionable way possible. Think vintage toy shop meets horror short film.
The Makeup:
This face took the longest — and was worth every minute. I did an extreme doll-like base with KVD Good Apple Foundation, added exaggerated blush high on the cheeks, and glued on both top and bottom falsies. I then created a cracked porcelain effect using Mehron FX Wax and fake blood detailing.
For lips, I did a faded berry gradient using NYX Soft Matte in “Transylvania”, adding just a pop of hot pink gloss to the center for that twisted innocence. Final touch? A single tear of blood drawn just below one eye.
The Vibe:
Definitely the most narrative-driven look I did this year. Great for themed parties, creepy photo setups, or anywhere people will appreciate a costume that tells a story. Bonus: the mix of sweet and sinister always gets a reaction.
🕯 Final Thoughts: Dressing Up with Intention (and a Little Drama)
Halloween isn’t just about costumes — it’s a whole vibe. Each of these looks let me explore a different side of myself: the elegant, the dangerous, the chaotic, the nostalgic. And honestly? That’s what I love most about this season. You get to be theatrical without explanation.
Whether you’re heading to a themed rooftop party, crawling through a haunted bar downtown, or just planning a killer photo shoot at home — there’s something empowering about stepping into a look that feels like a character.
If you’re still building your outfit, here are some of my go-to platforms for Halloween-ready fashion and accessories:
- Dolls Kill – for anything edgy, sexy, or slightly unhinged
- Killstar – for all things gothic, velvet, and occult-inspired
- Hot Topic – underrated for gothic basics, accessories, and Addams-style fits
- Spirit Halloween – classic costume pieces, especially hats, capes, and props
- Etsy – custom and handmade pieces (especially great for cloaks, corsets, or jewelry)
- Amazon – last-minute essentials, wings, FX makeup kits, and budget-friendly basics
- Sephora / MAC / Ulta – for high-impact, long-wear makeup to survive the night
Whatever you wear — own it. Confidence is the best accessory, even if you’re covered in fake blood and surrounded by fog.
Let the transformation begin. 🖤
Happy Halloween, witches.
