How to Apply Witch Makeup

Broomsticks, pointy hats, black cats and big noses: there’s no costume more timeless and classic than a witch. But even more important than her famous accessories, the modern-day witch completes her spooky ensemble with some fierce makeup. Whether you want to go green and ghoulish, subtle and sexy, or something in between, there’s a wicked witch look out there that will have you practically cackling with glee.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Painting and Altering Your Face

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You want a green face, not green hair! Pull it back in a ponytail and tuck it behind your ears. For even more security, slip a wig cap over your head.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Set a base layer of face primer and foundation for a less spooky look. For a sexier, less-green witch, grab primer and foundation in your natural skin color, or go a couple shades lighter to maintain a ghoulish feel.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Rub on your primer, then dab foundation on your face and blend it out with a brush, extending down and blending with the skin on your upper neck.
- Using your fingers, rub concealer under your eyes or on any spots, then brush on some powder to help the makeup set.
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3
Contour your face subtly for a hollowed look. Brush a brown or tan color along the tops of your cheek bones and the edges of your jaw with a makeup brush and blend it carefully. Use a thinner brush along the ridges of your noise. Highlight the tops of your cheekbones and the tip of your nose with a light brown or white eyeshadow to get a 3-D effect.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Your eyes will be pretty dramatic, so you can either keep the contouring subtle or use it to enhance the witchy look even more.
4
Paint your face and neck with green face paint for a spooky look. Buy face paint at your local costume store or makeup boutique. Mix a darker shade with some white for a less intense color, or ramp up the impact with a neon or lime green. If you have very sensitive skin, consider applying a thin base layer of natural makeup under your green face paint so your skin doesn’t become irritated.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Squeeze some paint onto a palette or paper plate and use a soft makeup sponge to dab it onto your face, blending as you go.
- Apply it as close as you can to your hairline, onto your ears if they’ll be exposed, and down your neck and chest to meet the neckline of your dress or shirt. Leave your eyelids bare, since you’ll be doing a smoky eye look later.
- Dab away the excess paint afterwards with a fresh sponge.
Use a medium-sized makeup brush and choose a green that’s similar to your face paint. This extra layer will help the face paint set, so you won’t have to worry about it creasing or smudging.^{[5]XResearch source}
With a clean makeup brush, apply a yellow eyeshadow under the inner corners of your eyes, blending it towards your nose, and along the tops of your cheekbones.^{[6]XResearch source}
7
Contour with a dark green eyeshadow to complete a green face. Use a fresh brush to apply forest green eyeshadow along your cheekbones. Use a thin brush to paint dark green liquid liner onto the ridges of your nose, going from the top to the tip. Blend it with a makeup sponge to get a witchy, long-nosed look. You can also dab a bit of the same liquid liner onto your chin with a makeup sponge to achieve a pointed effect.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Can’t figure out where to contour your cheeks? Pull a “fish face” to make your cheekbones pop and apply your eyeshadow.
To make for an authentic green witch costume, try to cover up exposed skin that you don’t want to paint green, like your hands and ankles. Use long black gloves and a long skirt for a look that’s both elegant and efficient. Buy a large witch hat or move your hair forward if you’d rather not paint your ears.^{[8]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying Eye Makeup

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Apply it with a small brush, spreading the eyeshadow gently across your upper and lower eyelids and blending it with the face paint where they meet. Use a shade that approximately matches the paint.^{[9]XResearch source}
2
Add a dramatic cat-eye to your green-faced witch. The farther you extend the cat-eye, the more striking the style will be. If you want to be a spooky witch with big, haunting eyes, go for it!^{[10]XResearch source}
- Brush some matte black eyeshadow onto the top of your eyelid and follow the crease line out. Then, use a green eyeshadow to blend it out into your green face paint, towards your nose and underneath the the lash line.
- Choose a bright green shadow for the main part of the lids and apply with a small brush.
- Use a black liquid liner to create a thick line just below your lower lashes and above your upper ones. Extend it out into the cat-eye tail and blend it out.
3
Create smoky witch eyes for a subtler, sexy look. To achieve the neatest cat-eye, place a piece of tape just under your eye so that the straight edge curves out a bit towards your temples. This will ensure that you get a neat, elegant extension as you apply your eyeshadow. If you use tape, make sure to do your eyes before you prime and contour the rest of your face.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Use your fingers to spread primer on your eyelids up to your eyebrows. Then, rub on a brightly-colored eyeshadow with your fingers, using multiple layers to make the color pop. Try green or purple for a classic witchy look, or experiment with other neon colors.
- Blend a matte brown eyeshadow into the crease of your eye with a large blending brush, just above the colored eyeshadow. With a smaller, tapered brush, blend a black eyeshadow into the outer corner of your eye and into the crease.
- To make your colored eyeshadow pop, use a small brush to swipe on white eyeshadow below your brow and along the inner corner of your eye.
- Apply a black liquid liner along your upper lid, following the crease outwards towards your temple.
Both spooky and sexy witches need big, striking eyes, so invest in a pair of dramatic false lashes or layer on that mascara. For an extra shimmer, dab on a bit of silver glitter eyeshadow.^{[12]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Embellishments

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1
Use prosthetics for a creepy, spooky look. Buy a fake hooked nose, a pointy chin or a stick-on wart at a costume supply store. Apply them using the directions on the package and make sure they’re safe to use with makeup.
- You can stick on your prosthetics before your do your makeup, or add them on after and swipe on a bit of extra green paint.
2
Accentuate your eyebrows. Use a thin brush and black eyeliner to fill in and darken your eyebrows. Paint it past the end of your brows for an elongated look, or arch it upwards for extra drama and a pointier, more evil feel.^{[13]XResearch source}
- For a non-green witch, you can also use brown eyeliner to define your brows.
3
Paint your lips with green, black or purple lipstick. If you’re using a lip brush, begin by outlining your lips, emphasizing the cupid’s bow and making it pointier if you want an extra evil look, then filling in the main part of the lips. You can also apply straight from the bullet, keeping your hand steady and applying slowly.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Choose a black or purple lipstick for an intense, dramatic effect, or go with a slighter darker shade of green than your main face paint color. You’ll look spooky and witchy either way.
Using an eyeliner pencil, dot a small point below your lips, to the right or left of your chin. Twist the pencil to get a nice circle effect.

Expert Q&A

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Question
Which eyeliner is better, pencil, gel, or liquid?
Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
It is better to use a pencil or gel eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner can enhance the texture of your eyelids and can get into the mucous membrane of the eye.
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What should I do to prevent my gel eyeshadow from creasing?
Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
First, dry your eyelid completely. Apply a water-resistant eyeshadow primer. Then apply the gel eyeshadow.
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Question
How can I choose a face primer?
Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
You can choose a face primer based on the condition of your skin. If you have large pores, you can use a primer that will blur that. If you have dry skin, you can use a primer that can add hydration. If you have oily skin, you can use a mattifying primer.
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Face paint can be difficult to clean out of a makeup sponge. If you can, use an old one that you can throw away afterwards.
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