3 Halloween Makeup Looks You Can Do at Your Desk
Get your everyday look ready to party.
Zero time to get a Halloween costume together? No problem. Since the big day falls on a Monday this year, we asked face painter Michael Anthony (who counts boundary-pushing beauty icons like Rita Ora, Katy Perry, and Tinashe among his clientele) how to transform your 9-to-5 look into something that's ready to party. Tuck a few extra items into your makeup bag before heading into the office, and you'll show up at the after-hours soirée looking like a totally different person.
The Innocent Angel
Pick a work outfit built on cool-weather creams and white—they'll morph into a costume with the addition of a few angelic highlights and a pinch of glitter. A halo is entirely optional (it will fit into your work bag—just sayin'), but devilish behavior after hours is highly encouraged.
Top: Brock Collection, Choker: Jennifer Fisher
Step 1
"The best part about this look is that you can't mess it up," insists Anthony. Pop a shimmery peach blush on the apples of your cheeks and swipe a pearly gold gloss across your pout before making your commute. Once five o'clock rolls around, frost your cheekbones, brow bones, bridge of the nose, cupid's bow, and chin with an iridescent stick (like Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter). Apply a shimmery wash of baby blue or aquamarine cream shadow across your lids to add a jolt of color and give glitter something to grip onto. Then, use your fingertip or a small, fluffy brush to dust translucent glitter onto the places you applied the cream formulas. "I chose clear glitter to keep the makeup soft, ethereal, and sparkly—not disco or nightclub," says Anthony. Finish lashes with Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara; its brush and ultra-inky formula are tailored to achieve that winged look.
Step 2
After staring at the computer for eight hours straight, tired eyes need a wake-up call. White liner can accentuate the inner corners, cancel any redness along your waterline, and "offset the intensity of the mascara," explains Anthony (plus, there's something angelic about the pale hue). Pull loose waves into sleek ponytail, using your hands to tease the tail for a fluffy, angelic finish.
Shop the Look
1. Topshop Lace Airtex Sweatshirt, $74; Buy it now
2. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil in Cashmere White, $8; Buy it now
3. Loeffler Randall Arielle Heel, $325; Buy it now
4. Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara, $9.50; Buy it now
5. Frame Le Forever Karlie Flare High-Rise Jeans, $220; Buy it now
6. Jennifer Behr Venus Circlet Swarovski Crystal Headband, $300; Buy it now
The Rock Star
Anything resembling facial tattoos won't get HR-approval, but a quick addition after you clock out turns a fresh face look into something gritty-glam. "Stickers make this look easy and super accessible for everyone," says Anthony of the press-and-go approach. Throw on a leather jacket to toughen up your outfit at the end of the day, run some oil through your strands for that stringy "I'm with the band" texture, and hit the road.
Jacket: Iro; Dress: Suno; Choker: Erin Dana; Earring: Jennifer Fisher
Step 1
Dab any oily spots with blotting paper, concentrating on the area around your eyes, then dust your face with translucent powder to set a base. Cut the largest star from a sheet of shimmery scrapbook stickers in half (be sure to double-check they're non-toxic). Round one flat edge slightly so that it will fit snugly along your top lash line and the other so it's shaped to the bottom. Build on an office-friendly neutral eye shadow with a bit of purple for a smoky effect, then coat lashes with an extra layer or two of Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara to define eyes. Apply one half of the star sticker to your lid and the other half to your lower lashes. "For extra insurance, add a dab of Duo Lash Glue to the back," recommends Anthony. Continue scattering smaller stars across your temples and forehead at random.
Step 2
On the opposite eye, let your brown shadow stand alone—even better if the pigment is a bit creased after a long day on the job. "You could definitely do a full-on smoky eye, but keeping it undone looks more raw and rock 'n' roll," says Anthony. Polish off your lids and lips with a pea-sized dollop of clear gloss for a shiny, lived-in finish.
Shop the Look
1. Zara Leather Jacket, $299; Buy it now
2. Pamela Love Suspension Ear Threaders, $60; Buy it now
3. Alexander McQueen Leather Ankle Boots, $1,265; Buy it now
4. Recollections Holographic Star Stickers, $2; Buy it now
5. Maybelline New York Lip Studio Shine Shot Lip Topcoat, $6; Buy it now
6. Forever 21 Faux Leather Choker, $6; Buy it now
The Mod Maven
Amp up an office-friendly cat-eye with graphic, Twiggy-inspired spikes. The classic shift dress you wore throughout the day goes groovy with the addition of a bold pair of earrings, while over-the-knee boots work well for the boardroom and the bar stool.
Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim; Earrings: Copula
Step 1
Build on a band of black liner by extending a simple slash into a wing at the outer corner of your eye. Then, sketch three U shapes across your lid with a waterproof pencil or a long-wear gel formula and a skinny brush—connecting the end points down toward your lashes. Fill in the negative space with more black liner. Next, run an inky stripe along your lower lashes—stopping at the center of your eye. Craft a tiny spike near the far corner for even more drama. Perfect the edges and erase any mistakes with a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover, then set everything with translucent powder to make it budge-proof.
Step 2
Don't attempt faux fringe and glue in the office bathroom: For lush, '60s lashes, amp up your existing mascara with a few extra coats of Maybelline New York's The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara. Point the tip of the wand in toward your nose, wiggling the short, volume-boosting teeth at your roots. Next, pull up and out in the direction of your ear—sweeping your corner lashes into a dramatic wing. Repeat the motion, this time focusing on the tips of your lashes. Refresh lips and cheeks with a pop of pink, then tease the top half of your hair to build body before securing it back with a few bobby pins.
Photographer: Robbie El Lords
Makeup Artist: Michael Anthony
Hairstylist: Cecilia Romero
Manicurist: Alicia Torello
Stylist: Sofia Karvela
Shop the Look
1. Topshop Monochrome Perspex Shape Earrings, $22; Buy it now
2. Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil in Sleek Onyx, $8; Buy it now
3. Asos Over the Knee Boot, $64.50; Buy it now
4. Maybelline New York The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara, $9.50; Buy it now
5. Alexis Bittar X Jeremy Scott Asymmetric Bangle, $175; Buy it now
6. Jeremy Scott Acid Babydoll Dress, $280; Buy it now
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