Trying to figure out how to create a ghost makeup was a challenge for this month’s NME Box.
If you Google ghost you get all sorts of results.
There are the ones with the sheets. And ones that are transparent. The ones who float and the ones with their death sentence still hanging from their bodies.
Ghosts with chains, ghosts with centuries-old clothing, ghosts with pale skin and glowing ghosts. I think the ghost makeup is among the most versatile.
Are they ghosts?
Take a look at the ghosts in Beetlejuice. Nothing really says “ghost” except that you can see how they died. If you haven’t seen the movie, you may not know they’re ghosts at all.
Then there are the ghosts in Harry Potter, who are transparent and float. They even glow. The monochrome colors and Victorian clothes make their ghost-like appearance unmistakable.
So, how do you create a ghost makeup?
The idea is to create a makeup that translates ghost without “seeing the movie.” I want my makeup to be ghostly in effect and appearance.
I decided a monochrome ghost, like those in Harry Potter, would work well, but adding some element of having been alive as with the ghosts in Beetlejuice.
So, let’s get to creating a ghost makeup!
Tutorials
This first tutorial was created by Pipmakeup and uses the monochrome look I want to go for. I like the sunken eyes and bone structure shadows created here.
This next tutorial is a more glammed up version of a ghost. What I liked about this was the use of
Have you watched the
Pinterest Inspiration
Check out my Ghostly Pinterest board for more inspiration.
Recommended Products
Here are a few of the products that can get you started making a ghost makeup. I picked products based on the tutorials listed on this page, and you’ll see some of these products in the “Ghostly” makeup effects subscription box.
Join NME Box
If you’re new here, welcome! This is where I keep track of my journey to becoming a better makeup artist. I’m dragging you along with me for the ride.
Each month I pick a theme and read up on how to accomplish the look. The goal is to stay on a budget of $50 per month for each look.
The NME Box is a subscription box stuffed with 5-7 makeup effects products and cosplay items. The products I’m trying for myself? I send them to you for you to try too.
As a challenge, you get a character backstory to get you thinking of what to create, and of course you have the blog to help you find the right tutorials.
So, you like playing with makeup, right? Get yourself some makeup effects products sent to you every month!