These Día De Los Muertos Makeup Looks Are as Beautiful as the Tradition

Día De Los Muertos is a tradition that I've always taken part in. My family is from Mexico, and I grew up in the valley of Los Angeles, an area populated heavily by Mexican families and first-generation kids my age. This area was (and remains to be) influenced by the culture (Spanish is the primary language around town). Even my big fourth-grade project was to create an ofrenda, also known as an altar. This ofrenda is the centerpiece of any Día De Los Muertos celebration. Here in America, it's common to find these altars in Mexican homes, but in Mexico, photos of loved ones, flowers, food, and families dressed in bright colors are found gracing cemeteries in every region.

The altar isn't for worshipping, but to instead serve as a backdrop of a welcome-home celebration for spirits of past loved ones coming back to the realm of the living during this holiday. The offerings set on the ofrenda range from water (to rehydrate after the long journey); a loved one's favorite foods or their beloved objects left behind in the living world, and bright marigold petals scattered up to the altar to act as a trail for wandering souls. Papel Picado, a colorful garland made of tissue-paper flags with scalloped edges and intricate photos cut into them, is usually also draped around altars to represent how fragile life is. Finally, sugar skulls are placed as decorations recognizing the person who has passed, with his or her name written on the forehead.

Contrary to the common misconception, Día De Los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween. Although the dates are close (the Day of The Dead traditional celebration runs from November 1 through 2, although it's common for some to extend through the entire month) the two annual events differ in both tradition and tone. Halloween is a night of terror and mischief—usually illustrated in black, the color of death. On the other hand, Día De Los Muertos is colorful, with an undertone of life-affirming joy. 

Growing up, the whole thing felt eerie, but as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the tradition (see above). It no longer carries a spooky element of death, but the love and happiness our loved ones brought us when they were alive. We remember them in a way that pays their life respect, but also acknowledges that although their physical bodies are no longer with us, their spirits will always remain by our sides. 

With age, my fascination with both my culture and makeup blossomed. Take, for example, the famous Día De Los Muertos ensembles. The tradition of painting skulls on one's face is a reminder that the only certainty in life is death itself and to celebrate life while we still can. In 1910, Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada created the famous etching, La Calavera Catrina, which served as a political satire. It shows the Catrina wearing tailored European clothing, desired by upper-class indigenous Mexicans at the time, to prove that regardless of material treasures, we're all equal in death. It's now a quintessential Mexican icon. When you paint your face in a colorful skull, with colorful motifs, you're actually painting your face like a Catrina (not to be confused with sugar skulls, the sweet treat placed on the ofrenda). This actually brings me to my next point. 

Some might find the Catrina look to be a major source of cultural appropriation. Here's why: For people of Mexican descent, it's not a Halloween costume, but a tradition that honors their loved ones and life itself. Again, Día De Los Muertos and Halloween are two very different holidays and should be treated as such. I personally don't take offense to people of different cultures taking part in our tradition—it's beautiful, and it should be shared. However, it's the person's level of engagement that will determine if it's appreciation or appropriation. If you're afraid of being accused of the latter, refrain from painting your face like a Catrina, only to take a selfie and hit up your local pub on October 31. However, if you really want to connect with the culture and honor the traditions, there are plenty of Latinx-owned Día De Los Muertos festivals and Mexican-owned businesses you can celebrate with on November 1 and 2. And I promise you, anyone you meet there will be more than happy to share stories of loved ones, invite you into their culture, and even paint your face for you.

Now, there's one thing to note: There's also a major difference between the Catrina look from Día De Los Muertos and your ordinary skull costume makeup. A skeleton costume is modeled after an anatomically correct skull—including eye sockets, teeth, and cheekbones—painted in white and black. For the record, you can 100 percent dress up as a skeleton on Halloween without question. The Catrina makeup includes the same features, but painted with bright colors, embellishing floral motifs, scalloped edges on the eye sockets, and paired with flower crowns or fancy hats.

If you'd like to take part in Día De Los Muertos festivities and join me and my fellow Mexican people in remembering our loved ones, keep scrolling for nine traditional Catrina makeup looks you'll love.

Classic Catrina

This look accentuates an intricate black and white Catrina makeup look with a crown of marigolds, the flower of choice for Día De Los Muertos.

Bedazzled Aqua

This unique (but equally stunning) take on a Catrina makeup look uses shades of aqua and teal, as well as face gems to replace the traditional scallops of the eye sockets.

Detailed and Regal

Día De Los Muertos is all about celebratory and respectful tributes to our loved ones who have passed, and this intricate pink and green design, paired with a crown of roses, is a truly beautiful way to communicate that honor.

Warm and Welcoming

Mimic the colors of the marigolds around you—and create a warm aesthetic to welcome your loved ones back for the celebration—with stunningly blended orange and golden tones. Black scallops and other intricate details create an unforgettable, artistic moment.

Coordinated Catrinas

If you're celebrating Día De Los Muertos with your best friend, beloved sibling, or close cousin, why not work together to coordinate your looks? These Catrina makeup looks both use a red and white palette, but if you look closely, the individuality is in the details.

Talavera Tribute

The rich blue and stark white combo here is truly stunning, reminding us of Talavera pottery. Paired with several marigolds in the hair, this look carries as much meaning as it does beauty.

Love Language

Another gem-covered Día De Los Muertos makeup look, this Catrina moment uses warm tones that coordinate with the flowers and are sure to communicate the connection you feel with your loved ones beyond this realm.

Colorful Celebration

One of the best parts of the detailed nature of a Catrina look is that you can use as many colors as you would like. We love how the palette here echoes that of the floral headpiece.

Surreal Beauty

This look features realistic teeth akin to traditional skull makeup, but the other details take the joyful, creative liberty of a Catrina, from blue and orange scalloped sockets to a rose on the forehead. A stunning deep blue flower crown completes the moment.

Día De Los Muertos Makeup Essentials

When it comes to creating a Catrina makeup look, refrain from using greasy, oil-based face paints—it’s gooey and never seems to set. Instead, try a water-based theatrical makeup or poke around your makeup bag for your most pigmented and long-wearing colors. Día De Los Muertos festivities run well into the night and early into the morning, so it's important your makeup can withstand the dancing, singing, and eating. Scroll down to shop a few standout products from some of our favorite Latina-owned brands.

KVD Beauty Anti-Precision Pencil Eyeliner $19.00

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A jumbo black eyeshadow or eyeliner pencil will be your best friend when creating the looks above. It's just the right tool to make drawing details on your face much easier.

Reina Rebelde Bold Lip Color Pencil in Rosa Salvaje $16.00

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A long-wearing lipstick is just what you need to add tons of color to your face. Add bright details to your Catrina makeup look with chubby lipstick like a marker, or with a detail brush. The best part is lipsticks come in a variety of hues these days, so you'll have plenty of options.

Melt Cosmetics AllDay/Everyday Eye Liner in Montauk $17.00

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On the other hand, if you need more color options, eyeliner is where it's at.

Sigma Beauty Specialty Eye Brush Set $48.00

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The Catrina makeup is all about the details. In order to give your Día De Los Muertos look the dimension and precision it deserves, you'll need a good set of detailing makeup brushes.

Beautyblender Re-Dew Set & Refresh Spray $30.00

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Last but not least, a setting spray is just what you need to keep your festive makeup look in place until the wee hours of the morning. Spritz your makeup in between application, after you've finished applying your look, and throughout the evening to keep it in place and looking fresh.