Top-performing Halloween makeup for building your best costume yet

Halloween makeup has come along way since the '90s, when cheap grease paint palettes and the once-yearly release of black nail polish (goths of the era can tell you!) made up the limited selection of colorful cosmetics you could use to get done-up for scary, seasonal fun.

Online shopping changed it all, though, and these days, you can have professional-grade makeup delivered straight to your door with the click of a button.

With all these options available to you, where do you start if you're still an amateur with avant-garde and special FX looks in mind?

"GMA" recently sat down with celebrity makeup artist Anthony Nguyen at Disney HQ in New York to let him work his magic on digital reporter Kelsey Legg, as he created a Morticia Addams-inspired, dark glam look that would work with a multitude of Halloween costumes -- and he did it all with affordable makeup from CVS.

Nguyen is known for working on some of the most famous faces in the world: Adele, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Coolidge and Jessie J are just a few of the clients who've been lucky enough to sit in his chair. When we asked if he has anything special planned for Halloween 2025, he coyly passed on answering, so it's likely you can expect some fun transformations to pop up on his Instagram account.

As for the makeover at "GMA," Nguyen used drugstore standby favorites like Ardell lashes and Covergirl eyeshadow palettes featuring an array of smoked-out shades, as well as top picks from the Covergirl x "Stranger Things" collaboration like the Crawl Face and Eye Multi-Palette, a versatile collection of powder shadows, blush and highlighters that work on the whole face. Last-minute shoppers can place orders online to pick up in store using our links below, making it a cinch to nab these must-haves today.

From these affordable, convenient products to theatrical makeup brands like Ben Nye and Mehron, you'll find our top suggestions below on what to buy now so you can create your best Halloween look yet by Oct. 31.

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Anthony Nguyen's drugstore picks for Morticia Addams-inspired makeup

CVS

Covergirl x Stranger Things The Crawl Face & Eye Multi-Palette

Perfect for a multitude of color and highlighting needs, this palette includes one rich red blush, two illuminating highlighters, and four eyeshadows that have wonderful pigment payoff and all-day wearability. They're fantastic for building your Halloween looks, but the palette is versatile enough that you'll be reaching for it long after Oct. 31. Nguyen used the highlighters to add that special Morticia glow to the center of the face.

• $15.99

• CVS

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CVS

NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip, Losin Control

When creating a Morticia lip like the one Nguyen did, this heavily pigmented gloss is gorgeous for layering over black lip liner and using to blur the edges for the perfect eerie ombre effect.

• $9.49

• CVS

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CVS

Ardell Wispies, Demi, 1 Pair

Ardell is a household name to faux lash fanatics in the know, and these Wispies are amazing for adding fluttery, flirty length and volume to your Halloween gaze.

• $5.29

• CVS

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CVS

L'Oreal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick Smokey Eyeshadow , Moonlit Metal

To add a soft smokiness to your eyes, try a soft shadow stick like this that's easy to blend and won't tug at delicate eye skin during application.

• $13.59

• CVS

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CVS

CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette, Smoky

A smoky eye look is necessary for dark glam looks, and this palette from Covergirl offers the perfect array of gradient shadows for slowly building up the look without it becoming patchy or overwhelming. The shadows blend beautifully and have a hint of shine, and the price point is incredible -- under $2 per shade.

• $13.49

• CVS

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CVS

COVERGIRL x STRANGER THINGS The Upside Down Makeup Bag

Perfectly sized for stashing your on-the-go touchup neccessities, grab this bag for carrying with you on Halloween.

• $11.99

• CVS

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More Halloween makeup must-haves

Amazon

BS-MALL Makeup Brush Set 18 Pcs Premium Synthetic Foundation Powder Concealers Eye shadows Blush Makeup Brushes with black case

Start with the basics, and stock up on affordable but highly rated brushes that come in an 18-piece set so you'll have the tools you need for every type of swoop, line, blend and more. Some 20,000 people purchased this set last month!

• $9.99

• Amazon

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Ulta

MEDIHEAL Watermide Moisture Pad

Skin prep is important for every makeup look, but especially when you'll be trying out elaborate and heavier looks than usual. For sensitive skin, use toner pads like these gentle, depuffing ones form Mediheal that remove excess dirt and oil without stripping the skin to create your best canvas yet.

• $24

• Ulta

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup Skin Prep Pro Mattifying Skin Toner | Long Lasting Pre-Makeup Primer 4 fl oz (120 ml)

For oiler skin types that can handle a little more during prep, try this toner from Mehron that creates a matte canvas and helps prevent oil seep-through that can break down makeup from underneath, leading to seperation and a cakey look.

• $17.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

UCANBE Face Body Paint Set-Athena Painting Palette,10 Professional Artist Brush,Large Deep Pan Ideal for Halloween Cosplay Party SFX Arty Stage Makeup

One of Amazon's consistent top sellers in the Halloween or costume makeup arena is this mutli-use palette that smartly features extra large sections for black and white paints, the most commonly used colors.

• $24.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup Paradise Makeup AQ 30 Color Pro Palette | Magnetic and Refillable Palette | Body Paint & Face Paint | Costumes, SFX, Halloween, & Cosplay

While traditional grease paint can smear, smudge and just overall feel gross on the skin, Mehron is a water-activated face paint that transforms into an easy-to-use medium that dries to the touch and stays put for hours. The pigmentation is fantastic, too, so you can build vibrant, saturated looks and even blend powder pigments on top to contour and create depth and extra detail.

• $124.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup Clown White Professional Face Paint Cream Makeup | White Face Paint for Stage, Film, Cosplay, & Mime | Halloween Clown 2.25 oz (65g)

Since you may need more white paint than the palette above provides, here's the basic single-color option to add to your kit.

• $12.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup PRO FX Bruise Wheel | 5 Color Wheel for Special Effects & Movies | Bruise Makeup Kit | SFX Paint | Halloween Special Effects

While the Mehron water-activated paints are ideal for precision, the cream paints like those found in this bruise kit are better suited for creating realistic injuries thanks to the full range of colors found in human bruises, cuts and scrapes. Start with a yellow and green base, then tap in the other shades to add depth and horror to your special FX looks.

• $18.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup Tooth FX Black | Temporary Black Tooth Paint | Perfect for Creating Black Out Teeth Makeup, Rotten & Missing Teeth | SFX for Halloween, Cosplay, & Theater .125 oz (4 ml)

Does your character call for missing teeth? Try blacking them out with this special use temporary tooth makeup crafted specifically for theater and cosplay. It's safe, long-lasting and comes with an applicator that's easy to use for even the most amateur makeup artist.

• $11.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup Coagulated Blood Gel | Fake Thick Blood Makeup | SFX for Halloween, Cosplay, and Special FX 1 oz (30g)

For detailed blood droplets, smears and more, choose a thick, professional-grade special FX product like this under-$10 option from Mehron to ensure you're looking your best as a vampire, zombie or any other creature on the monster roster.

• $9.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mehron Makeup Hair White | Washable White Hair Dye | Temporary Hair Color for Theatre, Cosplay, & Halloween 4.5 oz (133 ml)

Look older or like a spectre in no time with this hair-whitening makeup that can be easily applied and removed and promises not to stain hair.

• $16.95

• Amazon

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Amazon

ColourPop Blowin' Smoke Eyeshadow Palette - Silver & Smokey Eye Eyeshadow Palette with Metallic & Matte Finishes - High-Pigment Eye Makeup with Long-Wearing Formula (0.3 oz)

While this is a fantastic palette for creating smokey eye looks for year-round wear, it comes in especially handy when contouring and creating darker, more intense looks for Halloween.

• $14

• Amazon

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Amazon

Ben Nye Neutral Set Setting Powder

A light dusting of neutral setting powder over your entire face can really help lock things in, especially for a long night of trick-or-treating, partying or other Halloween mischief. Go for a trusted one like this well-loved option from Ben Nye.

• $19.96

• Amazon

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Sephora

ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray

Once you've applied your perfect makeup, you certainly don't want it running down your face after a few minutes. For a perfectly budge-proof finish that won't dry out your skin, try ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn -- it does exactly what it claims.

• $34

• Sephora

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