These Are the 12 Best Brands for Halloween Makeup, Hands Down

As far as my everyday makeup routine goes, I would use the word "minimal" to describe it. Lately, I've sworn by a couple of products that take me only a few minutes to apply. I start with Giorgio Armani's Face Fabric Foundation (it's not currently available, but a similar option is the brand's Neo Nude Foundation, $44) and a little TMF Vegan Dream Concealer (the Kosas Revealer Concealer, $28, is a great alternative). Then I move on to whatever mascara I'm using at the moment, add a little Kosas Cosmetics Weightless Lipstick in Rosewater ($28), and I'm out the door. It's quick, easy, and (yes) minimal. That all changes, however, when it's a special occasion, like my birthday, New Year's Eve, or Halloween… especially Halloween. 

After all, October 31 is the perfect opportunity to go all out and experiment with texture and color. But with bold, and what we'll refer to as "high-key" makeup, comes the opportunity for creasing, flaking, and feathering. That's why we forgo low-quality Halloween palettes (which could be bad for your skin, BTW) in favor of high-impact products from tried-and-true brands. Keep scrolling to see 12 of the best Halloween makeup brands, so you can embrace high-powered creativity for spooky season and beyond. 

Lemonhead LA

Lemonhead LA Spacejam Ultra Luxe Glitter Balm $26.00

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Lemonhead LA is a company that I consider to be the leading authority on all things glitter. Every single one of its products is vegan and cruelty-free, which I love. I also love that each product is suitable for use on the face, body, or hair, so it's super versatile. As such, I recommend it to anyone who's planning a costume that involves glitter...whether celestial space alien, Studio 54 dancing queen, or anything else that could use some sparkle. The best part is that there's no messy glitter glue involved: You just swipe it right on. 

Lime Crime

Lime Crime Matte Velvetine Liquid Lipstick in Rustic $15.00

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Lime Crime is another vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand that specializes in long-wearing and high-impact products, like this matte liquid lipstick (once it dries down, it stays put for hours at a time, without any touch-ups). Aside from vivid eye shadow palettes and blushes, the brand also makes Unicorn Hair Dye ($17) that works on dark hair colors without any bleaching necessary. 

Make Up For Ever

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation $40.00

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Make Up For Ever is another brand we count on for a long-wearing finish. This foundation promises it will stay put for 24 hours. While we've never worn it quite that long consecutively, we can say it does a good job at staying put throughout dinner, drinks, and whatever else your night holds. Plus, it keeps shine at bay, which is great for people with oily skin. 

KVD Beauty

KVD Beauty Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow, and Brow Pigment $23.00

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If KVD Beauty is good enough for its fans to use as FX makeup, then it's good enough to wear for Halloween. I've used multiple products from the brand in my everyday routine, including the brand's Tattoo Liner ($23), which is one of my all-time favorites, on the daily, though the super colorful brow pomades are something I'll reserve for special occasions and spooky October festivities. 

Ardell

Ardell Faux Mink 810 Lashes $3.00

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Faux lashes are a must to make any Halloween eye makeup look pop. Ardell is a drugstore classic: It's a brand that's beloved by editors, influencers, and celebrities, in addition to scores of beauty enthusiasts. In the spirit of Halloween drama, try this thick faux mink set, which will add a lot of density. 

Wet n Wild

Wet n Wild Mega Last Matte Lip Color $3.00

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Speaking of drugstore beauty, Wet n Wild is a brand that we've counted on for many Halloween costumes in the past. Its products are highly pigmented yet inexpensive, which is a combination we love. Try this creamy matte lipstick, which only costs (wait for it) $3. Like we said, it's budget-friendly.

Mehron

Mehron iNtense Pro Pressed Pigment Palette $30.00

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Mehron specializes in stage and FX makeup, so you know anything you try from the brand will show up and stay put. Take this palette, which is formulated with eight matte shades that are so bright and pigmented, they can work on both skin and hair. 

Kryolan

Kryolan Blusher Palette 8 Colors $85.00

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Like Mehron, Kryolan is another professional makeup brand that's popular among makeup artists worldwide. It's also used in theatrical productions for its high-impact and long-wearing products. Just look at this blush palette, which includes eight different rosy shades you can mix and match to create a customized color. Even though it's perfect for Halloween, you'll likely use it long past October 31, like most other brands on this list. 

Profusion Cosmetics

Profusion Cosmetics Shimmers Palette $6.00

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Profusion may not be as buzzy as other brands that sit on Target's beauty shelves, but it's worth taking note of, especially when it comes to Halloween makeup. The brand offers a huge variety of palettes, from simple 10 shade shimmer ones like this to 42 shade wonders like Kaleidoscope ($20), which includes basically everything you could ever need from a palette.

If your Halloween makeup will be colorful and complex but you don't want to tote a variety of messy, loose products along, stow one of these palettes in your bag. 

MAC

MAC Pigment in Silver Fog $25.00

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What would be a list of the best brands for Halloween makeup without MAC, an industry classic? We like the brand's famous loose pigments, which you can mix into your existing liquid makeup (like lip gloss, for example) or combine with a mixing medium to create a high-definition and long-wearing paste. They're brilliant. Enough said.

Manic Panic

Manic Panic Dye Hard Temporary Color Styling Gel $10.00

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This isn't technically makeup, but it's worth including anyway since it's so good. If you're in need of a new Halloween hair color and you don't want to splurge on a wig or a permanent salon dye job, reach for hair color from Manic Panic. The brand has all the vivid colors your costume could need, including temporary options like this styling gel, which rinses out with shampoo so it's worry-free if you don't want to commit to a color past your festivities.

IGK

IGK House Party Cosmic Violet Hair + Body Glitter Stick $18.00

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We have one more hair brand to suggest, and it's IGK. This brand's hairstyling products will keep any Halloween coif in place. Many of the brand's products are Byrdie favorites, though this glitter stick is especially pertinent for Halloween.