In children’s fairytales and antique Halloween decorations, witches are often depicted as old, haggard, and "ugly,” with warts on their noses and missing teeth that are revealed when they let out an evil cackle. But witches have come a long way since then—many of them are even beauty icons. (Hello, haven’t you ever admired the way the Evil Queen in Snow White worked that red lip and purple cut-crease eye shadow?)
Just like real-life witches, the ones that we see in movies and TV shows wear all sorts of makeup, serving inspiration aplenty for a last-minute Halloween costume if you’re in need of one. Yes, there are plenty who have the typical glamour-goth look with long black hair and black or red lipstick. But there are also many who prefer a more neutral eye and lip look. Either way, there’s a witch beauty icon for everyone, whether you lean more towards Glinda the Good Witch or Wicked Witch of the West (hey, maybe green foundation could be the next TikTok trend—you never know!).
Ahead, nine pop culture witches with iconic makeup to copy for Halloween (and beyond!), plus all the products you need to recreate their signature looks. Keep scrolling!
Look #1: The Craft’s Nancy Downs
Ever since she uttered the legendary line, "We are the weirdos, Mister,” Nancy Downs, The Craft’s unforgettable villain, has been the epitome of witch goals. From her wardrobe to her walk, Nancy never did things subtly, and that extended to her makeup. In typical ’90s fashion, the foundation and powder she used to attain her ghostly pale complexion was mannequin-esque matte (so forgo any urge to create a dewy glow on yours). Lips were either a berry-red shade or a stark contrast of black lip liner filled in with dark red lipstick. Nancy’s haunting ice-blue eyes were exaggerated by her liner, so don’t be afraid to go heavy-handed on the pencil liner and mascara.
Shop the look:
Look #2: The Craft’s Rochelle Zimmerman
In makeup and personality, Rochelle and Nancy were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Where Nancy took risks with her makeup, Rochelle’s aesthetic was more subtle, choosing to mostly play with lipstick, from grayish-blacks to muted berry hues. Her occasional eye look consisted of brown eye shadow without liner, and she painted her nails with a dark shade of polish, of course. (You’d never see any of the Craft girls with pink talons!) If you don’t want to go black with your nails, try Chanel "Vamp” polish for more of that ’90s baddie vibe.
Shop the look:
Look #3: Practical Magic's Gillian Owens
In Practical Magic, Gillian, played by Nicole Kidman, has a more sultry look than her sister Sally (Sandra Bullock), which makes more sense since she’s more of the adventurous rebel one of the two. Her smoky eye shadow consisted of a blended white and gray look, while her face was done up in a matte base and a subtle orange blush. For lips, Gillian either did a soft pink or an orangey-red. It’s an easy look to replicate, especially if you already have red hair!
Shop the look:
Look #4: The Love Witch's Elaine
One of the newer witchy beauty icons, in 2016’s The Love Witch, Elaine, (Samantha Robinson) is the perfect example of a witch who doesn’t have the textbook all-black-everything appearance. There’s no black lipstick or heavy eyeliner—instead, her makeup takes on a more psychedelic ’60s mod-inspired feel. Bright blue (or purple) shadow, thick, winged eyeliner, and lush, full lashes (preferably falsies) make up the eyes while a nude-pink gloss or orangey-coral lipstick tops the look off. If you love color, this might be the witch for you!
Shop the look:
Look #5: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Prudence
Sabrina may be the star of the show, but when it comes to makeup that’ll make any witch stop dead in her tracks with envy, that’s all Prudence Blackwood (Tati Gabrielle). The HBIC of the Academy of Unseen Arts looks like a flapper girl gone goth with her perfect blonde finger waves, smoky eye shadow, and a dark berry lip. She also has the most amazing brow game, so a pencil that can deliver strong brows is absolutely necessary.
Shop the look:
Look #6: The Craft: Legacy
It might be hard to follow in the footsteps of the original Craft beauty icons, but the entire cast of The Craft: Legacy, particularly Zoey Luna as Lourdes, does a pretty dang good job. Teen witch Lourdes tends to gravitate towards neutrals, especially when it comes to lips, but her eye shadow can range from warm browns to a silver and gray smoky eye with a dramatic cat-eye and mascara.
Shop the look:
Look #7: American Horror Story: Coven's Marie Laveau
There are a lot of fierce witches in AHS: Coven—from Emma Roberts as Madison Montgomery to actual Stevie Nicks—but no one compares to Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau. Pay tribute to the incomparable voodoo queen with a kohl black eyeliner, dark red or berry lipstick, and a prominent brow. Keep foundation light and natural, and set with a dewy spray.
Shop the look:
Look #8: Bewitched's Endora
If you’ve decided that a witch done up in technicolor makeup is more of a kindred spirit than one in an alluring smoky eye, it’s time to pay your respects to none other than Endora from Bewitched circa the 1960s. Always stirring up trouble with her mischievous magic, Endora’s makeup is as fun as her hijinks. Intense blue eye shadow is accented with an equally dramatic winged eyeliner that extends to the inner corner of the eye and is filled in with white pencil (similar to how Elvira does her eye look). Paint your pout with a vivid orange lipstick and you’ll be ready to cast some spells in no time.
Shop the look:
Look #9: Hocus Pocus's Sarah Sanderson
Before Sarah Jessica Parker was Sex and the City’s style icon, she was vamping it up as one of the evil Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus (she's on the right!). Like some of the other witches in this list, her look consisted of a good brow and dark red or berry lipstick. ColourPop’s Hocus Pocus-themed collection is more than fitting for this look, so re-create Sarah’s mauve-brown eye shadow and berry lip using the brand’s Witching Hour palette and Tonight We Fly lip creme.
Shop the look:
-
Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner Went Pants-less in Lingerie Halloween CostumesTrick or treat.
-
The 9 Most Stylish Celeb Halloween Costumes of All TimeIncluding Margot Robbie as Ginger Spice and Jamie Lee Curtis as a witch.
-
Ashley Moore Is Embracing Her FearsAnd stepping into the limelight.
-
From the 1920s to the Future: Lovecraft Country's Costumes Are a Feat of FashionSometimes, truth is stranger than fiction.
-
Yes, Celebs Are Dressing Up for Halloween—Here's What They're WearingFrom Kim Kardashian to Ciara.
-
The Celebrity Costumes That Already Won Halloween 2019The only looks you need to see.
-
Witches Everywhere Agree: These Are the 33 Essential Boots for the SeasonDouble, double toil and trouble; fire burn, and caldron bubble.
-
These H&M Halloween Costumes Are Easy and AffordableAnd can actually be worn long after Halloween is over, too.
