7 Last-Minute DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Fall has arrived and with it comes Halloween. While some people may have been planning their costumes for months, if you still haven’t decided on a costume yet, you aren’t alone! No matter if you have a Halloween party planned or not, dressing up for Halloween is a fast and easy way to add a little extra fun this year! Remember to stay safe by being creative and incorporating a facemask into your look if you decide to go out to small gatherings.

Did you wait till the last-minute to decide on a costume and don’t want to spend a lot of money? Here are seven last-minute Halloween costumes that are easy to pull off.

1. A Secret Agent or Detective

Put on your favorite suit and sunglasses and become the part of a secret agent or a detective. This costume gives you an excuse to break out your fanciest clothes and heels for an unforgettable look.

To Pull It Off

You’ll need a suit, maybe some sunglasses, and a fedora to create this iconic, classic look.

2. A Classic Witch

If you want to go for something more old-school Halloween, a witch couldn’t be any easier to do! You can choose to go as glitzy or classic as you’d like, and it’s easy to create a witchy outfit from what you have on hand. The only investment you have to make: the right hat.

Just pick up a witch’s hat, put on a black outfit, and you’re good to go! If you want to give a bit more of a witchy vibe, play up your eye makeup or wear black or bright red lipstick to give a more gothic look.

3. A Black Cat

This costume is super fast and easy, and it’s immediately recognizable. As an added bonus, you can wear this look comfortably all day long!

To Pull It Off

All you need is a headband with ears and a bit of eyeliner, face paint, and black lipstick. You can make this as subtle or showy as you’d like. If you want something a little more subdued, stick to the cat-eye eyeliner and a darker upper lip. Rather show off the look? Paint some whiskers on your face and add a black or pink nose.

4. Where’s Waldo

The search is over! Easily turn this costume into a fun group costume using all the characters from the “look and find” books. While this may be a bit old-fashioned, it is an easy-to-pull of costume that is immediately recognizable and could make for a fun outdoor activity.

To Pull It Off

To dress as Waldo or Wenda, you’ll need a red and white striped long sleeve shirt and beanie and a pair of round glasses. Make the costume your own by adding a few accessories.

5. Become One With the Stars

Halloween is the perfect time to start showing off your makeup skills! Create a stunning galaxy or constellation inspired makeup look for a subtle, yet stunning costume.

To Pull It Off

Focus on your eye makeup and keep the outfit simple. Add to your costume with any silver or star accessories to follow the theme.

Looking for some inspo? Check out this avant garde look one of our students created last year to get an idea of what you can do.

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Got a proper picture of my avant garde look 💗💜💙 ················································································· #makeup #beauty #wakeupandmakeup #undiscovered_muas #beautyqueens #abhbrows #featuremuas @featuremuas #inssta_makeup @inssta_makeup #featuring_mua @featuring_mua #featuredmakeuplovers #mua_underdogs @mua_underdogs #makeupxfeature #underratedglam #norvina #glamified_makeup @discovering__muas #anastasiabeverlyhills #kyliecosmetics #beautybloggersinc #glitzzxglam #flawlessdolls #makeupobsession #eyelooks @bretmansvanity #bretmansvanity #underratedmuas #avantgarde #avantgardemakeup

A post shared by 🌸 Victoria Alicea (@glam.byvictoria) on Aug 25, 2019 at 4:24pm PDT

6. Bat

Few things represent the Halloween spirit more than bats! Use your creativity to impress your friends with this simple DIY costume.

To Pull It Off

Depending on how much effort you want to put in, you can use an old, black umbrella to create the wings or a simple piece of black fabric, which you can pin or glue to a black jacket. You could choose to become a vampire bat by adding a titch of stage blood underneath your “fangs”.

7. A Zombie Victim

Take your makeup education to the next level and work to do some special effects makeup! Halloween is the perfect time to show off the blood and gore, so own it!

To Pull It Off

Wear a ragged shirt you’re okay with getting messy and start putting some holes in it. From there, create a few cuts and bruises with your makeup skills to give the effect you were actually attacked by a zombie!

You can check out these scary looks our students created last year for some good ideas.

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Esthetician night class killing the sfx makeup great work #sfxmakeup #cosmoprofbeauty #esthetician #makeup #creepymakeupaffects

A post shared by Artistic Academy (@artisticnailsandbeautyacademy) on Jan 23, 2020 at 10:16am PST

Are You Ready for Halloween?

It’s never too late to put together a great Halloween costume. Whether you have plans or not, it can’t hurt to get into the Halloween spirit for a little extra fun! Share your look with us on Instagram this year and we may feature you on our feed!

If Halloween is your favorite season and you love creating stunning looks and costumes, a future as a makeup artist may be for you. Check out how you can turn your passion for makeup into a future career! Discover more about our cosmetology or skin care programs to learn how to get started.