A Fashion Insider's Guide to Clever Halloween Style and Beauty

Now that we’ve had our fill of pumpkin spice everything, it’s time to get down to the next order of business: Halloween. Whether you like to create the most elaborate costume or prefer to transform yourself with minimal effort, you’re bound to benefit from some clever tricks. We asked DJs, designers, and fashion insiders to share their top style and beauty tips for a freakishly fun All Hallows’ Eve.

Costume Ideas

Forget sexy versions of everything and go for something unexpected—maybe even nostalgic. “Music videos are a good source of inspiration. Memorable red-carpet moments or iconic album covers are also a good place to start," says Los Angeles-based DJ Samantha Duenas. Runway shows and minor characters in Greek mythology can also make for interesting references, according to designer and fashion illustrator Julie Houts, who trumpet mermaid prom dresses up as Italian aristocrat (and John Galliano's muse) Marchesa Casati one year and a raving mad maenad another.

Laurel Pantin, editorial director of The Coveteur, goes for a twist on the sexy angle. “I like playing with gender a little bit on Halloween. I love a sexy costume with a gruesome, realistic-looking fake beard. A few years ago I was Kenny Powers with the gnarliest goatee.” And on a practical note, don’t forget to keep comfort in mind, as New York-based creative director Brianna Lance, who has hosted a multitude of Halloween parties, always does. “I try and think about what's the easiest to walk and dance in when picking a costume,” she says. “There are some amazing ones out there that aren't comfortable after an hour, so I always strive for longevity for the night.”

Where to Shop

Instead of breaking the bank on an overpriced, all-in-one costume and risking the horror of being unoriginal, get creative with unique sources for those items that will really make your look. Flea markets, vintage stores, and eBay are perfect for quirky, rare finds that you may end up wearing long past Halloween. “All of the vintage spots are the best: Edith Machinist, Ritual Vintage, and honestly, a great secret weapon is Etsy,” says Lance.

Similarly, Houts’s NYC go-to spots have produced some memorable one-off gems. “The group of thrift stores on 23rd street can be useful,” she says. “There's a Housing Works, a Vintage Thrift Shop, a very well-organized Goodwill, a less well-organized Salvation Army, and the City Opera Thrift Shop, which occasionally will have old costumes from past seasons included in their selection. I've gotten a couple intense capes this way.”

Outfit-Makers

If you’re in a pinch, go for one transforming item that identifies you. “A wig is the easiest way to take your costume to the next level,” says Duenas. “I prefer it to any face paint. It’s better for your hair and skin, and you can just pull it off at the end of the night.” Pantin suggests shopping your own closet for ideas. “I love a spooky thing on Halloween, and anyone could be a zombie of some sort,” she says. “This is a great way to repurpose old bridesmaid backless prom dresses uk—be a zombie prom queen.”

Morning After Beauty

Copious amounts of stage makeup combined with a wild night out may result in Instagram-worthy memories, but they can also wreak havoc on your skin. Have a complexion-soothing plan for the morning after. “To be completely honest, my post-Halloween ritual usually involves a greasy breakfast and a lot of television,” says Pantin. “However, when I really need to do something about my skin, I really like Peter Thomas Roth's Irish Moor Mud Mask followed by Belif's Hangover Mask (regardless of whether or not I am, in fact, hungover).”

Houts opts for an overnight mask combined with extra TLC for the eye area. “If I have the presence of mind the night before, I use the Caudalie's moisturizing mask and sleep in it, along with their lifting eye balm,” she says. “My final trick is eye drops and an ice mask over the eyes.” Lance also focuses on the eyes. “I always meditate, and then for ten minutes, I lie with frozen camomile tea bags on my eyes,” she says. “I still have darkened undereye circles, but the placebo effect is great.”