With the spooky season well and truly upon us, searches for ‘last minute Halloween costumes’ more than doubled in the past week.
But fear not, Cult Beauty has done the hard work for you and gathered the top trending Halloween costume ideas in the UK, all based on the latest Google search data.
From Midsummer-inspired parties to pop-culture villains here are the top Halloween costume ideas for 2024, plus some tips to recreate the looks with ease:
1. Brat Season
The rise of “Brat Season” is all about rebellious, ultra-glam fashion, inspired by social media’s return to the Y2K aesthetic. With a 75% spike in searches for “Brat Season makeup,” it’s one of the biggest trends of the year.
How to Create It: Think over-the-top glam with glossy lips, shimmery eyeshadows, and defined brows. Start with a flawless base—try a full-coverage foundation with a dewy finish. Add drama with a bold winged eyeliner and overline your lips for that 2000s pout. Finish with a generous coat of mascara and glitter on the cheeks.
2. Midsummer Makeup (Inspired by Saltburn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Party)
Searches for “Midsummer makeup” have surged by 65% following the glamorous party scene in Saltburn. Think ethereal, whimsical, and dreamlike beauty looks.
How to Create It: Start with a glowing complexion by using a radiant primer and light-reflecting foundation. Add soft pastel shades to your eyelids, like lavender, pink, or light blue, and use a highlighter to create a dreamy glow along your cheekbones and nose. Top it off with a flower crown or fairy wings for that enchanting vibe.
3. Broken Barbie
After Barbie’s resurgence this year, searches for “Broken Barbie” costumes have jumped by 85%, offering a unique twist on the iconic doll.
How to Create It: Start with Barbie’s classic look—use a luminous foundation for flawless skin, add pink blush, and a glossy lip. Then, add the “broken” effect with special effects makeup—draw cracks along your face using black eyeliner or face paint, and smudge some of your makeup for that imperfect, spooky touch.
4. Beetlejuice
Following the new Beetlejuice movie release, searches for Beetlejuice costumes are up by 70%. This timelessly spooky character is perfect for Halloween.
How to Create It: Start with a white base foundation for a ghostly pallor. Use black eyeshadow to create hollow, sunken eyes, and green face paint to add Beetlejuice’s signature moldy effect. Tease your hair into a wild, messy style and finish the look with dark, exaggerated brows.
5. Avatar
With searches for “Avatar costume” spiking by 78%, fans of the iconic blue Na’vi are set to bring these stunning characters to life this Halloween.
How to Create It: Use blue face paint to cover your face, neck, and any exposed skin. Contour with darker shades of blue and add white dots across your forehead and cheeks to recreate the Na’vi look. Don’t forget to elongate your eyebrows and add striking yellow or green contacts for extra authenticity.
6. Wicked Witch
Searches for “Wicked Witch costume” have risen by 60%, boosted by the upcoming Wicked movie. This powerful, magical look is perfect for those who want to command attention.
How to Create It: Start with green face paint as your base. Use a dark purple or black eyeshadow to create a smokey eye and add sharp contouring to your cheeks and nose for a witchy, angular look. Don’t forget to define your brows and add a deep plum lipstick for a wickedly glamorous finish.
7. Fairycore
The whimsical aesthetic of “fairycore” has led to a 63% increase in searches for the trend. Think soft, ethereal vibes with touches of nature.
How to Create It: Begin with a luminous foundation to create a dewy, fresh base. Use pastel eyeshadows like soft pinks or greens, and add highlighter to the high points of your face to create a magical glow. Complete the look with shimmery lip gloss, floral hair accessories, and delicate touches of glitter on your cheeks and eyelids.
8. Wednesday Addams
Following the massive success of Wednesday on Netflix, searches for “Wednesday Addams costume” are up by 85%. Her moody, gothic look remains a go-to for Halloween.
How to Create It: Start with a matte foundation for that pale, porcelain skin look. Define your eyes with black eyeliner and smokey grey eyeshadow, and use a dark plum lipstick to complete the gothic vibe. Finish with her iconic sleek braids for the ultimate Wednesday transformation.
9. Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn remains a popular choice, with a 70% increase in costume searches as Margot Robbie’s character continues to inspire Halloween revellers.
How to Create It: Start with a matte foundation and add contour to sharpen your features. Use bright red and blue eyeshadow on each eye, smudging them out for a chaotic, rebellious vibe. Finish with Harley’s signature red lipstick, and don’t forget to draw on her heart tattoo or use temporary tattoos to complete the look.
11. Joker (New Movie)
Following the excitement around Joker: Folie à Deux, searches for “Joker costume” have increased by 77%, making this chaotic villain a top pick for 2024.
How to Create It: Start with a white base foundation for a clown-like pallor. Use red face paint or lipstick to create an exaggerated, smeared smile, and add dark, smudged eye makeup for that deranged look. Complete the transformation with green hair dye and purple eyeshadow to capture Joker’s signature craziness.
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