Zombie Makeup: 29 Creative and Gory Ideas for Halloween

As Halloween approaches, the thrill of transforming into something spooky and otherworldly takes center stage. One of the most popular and versatile choices is zombie makeup. This article delves into various zombie makeup ideas that range from simple and cute to downright terrifying. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned makeup artist, these sfx tutorials will inspire your next Halloween look. Let’s explore some amazing and unique zombie makeup creations that will leave everyone in awe.

Hauntingly Realistic Zombie Makeup

1.jpg This look epitomizes realistic zombie makeup with its intricate details and lifelike decay. The artist has masterfully blended different shades of brown, black, and red to create a rotting flesh effect. The white, glazed-over eyes add a haunting touch, making it perfect for a Halloween scary look. The exposed teeth and skeletal features highlight the fx skills involved, showcasing a level of detail that’s both spooky and impressive.

• • Realistic rotting flesh effect
  • White, glazed-over eyes
  • Exposed teeth and skeletal features

Tips:

• 1. Use a combination of liquid latex and tissue paper to build texture.
  2. Blend various shades of face paint to achieve a decaying look.
  3. For the eyes, use white contact lenses to complete the eerie effect.

Gruesome Yet Fascinating Zombie Makeup

2.jpg This zombie makeup stands out with its gruesome yet fascinating detail. The heavy use of red and black shades, combined with the bandaged eye, creates a sense of recent injury and trauma. The artist has skillfully added texture to mimic open wounds and festering sores, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a Halloween scary look.

• • Bandaged eye for a fresh injury effect
  • Open wounds and festering sores
  • Blood splatter for added realism

Tips:

• 1. Apply fake blood liberally for a fresh wound appearance.
  2. Use cotton and liquid latex to create raised, textured wounds.
  3. Add a gauze bandage over one eye to enhance the injured look.

Half Rotten Zombie Makeup

3.jpg This half zombie makeup is both terrifying and creative, showcasing a mix of decaying and intact features. The exposed brain detail on the forehead and the drooping eyeball bring a high level of sfx expertise to this look. The juxtaposition of normal skin against the decayed side makes it a striking and unforgettable zombie makeup idea.

• • Exposed brain detail on the forehead
  • Drooping eyeball effect
  • Contrast between decayed and intact skin

Tips:

• 1. Use a prosthetic piece for the brain and blend it with face paint.
  2. Attach a fake eyeball with spirit gum for a drooping effect.
  3. Highlight the contrast by keeping one side of the face relatively untouched.

Subtle Yet Eerie Zombie Transformation

The subtlety of this zombie makeup look is what makes it so chilling. The artist has skillfully blended purples and blues to create a bruised, veiny effect that looks both realistic and unsettling. The neck wound, with its deep red and black hues, adds a focal point of terror, while the purple-tinted eye completes the haunted appearance.

• • Bruised, veiny effect with purple and blue shades
  • Deep neck wound for added horror
  • Purple-tinted eye for an eerie look

Tips:

• 1. Use fine-tipped brushes to draw realistic veins.
  2. Blend purple and blue eyeshadows around the eyes and cheeks for a bruised effect.
  3. Create a neck wound with a combination of red face paint and fake blood.

Grotesque Zombie with Fiery Details

This zombie makeup look is both grotesque and mesmerizing, featuring fiery orange and yellow accents that simulate rotting flesh and burns. The artist has incorporated glowing eyes and sharp teeth to enhance the terror. The greenish skin tone with dark shadows around the eyes and cheeks creates a spooky and decayed appearance.

• • Fiery orange and yellow accents for a burning flesh effect
  • Glowing eyes and sharp teeth
  • Greenish skin tone with dark shadows

Tips:

• 1. Use face paint in orange and yellow shades to create a burnt look.
  2. Apply white contacts to achieve the glowing eye effect.
  3. Add shadows with dark green and black face paint to enhance the decayed appearance.

Elderly Zombie with Haunting Realism

This zombie makeup showcases an elderly zombie with an incredibly realistic appearance. The detailed texture of the skin, complete with wrinkles and liver spots, combined with the matted, wispy hair, creates a hauntingly lifelike effect. The oxygen tube adds a unique touch, making this look perfect for those seeking a Halloween scary transformation.

• • Detailed skin texture with wrinkles and liver spots
  • Matted, wispy hair for an aged effect
  • Oxygen tube for added realism

Tips:

• 1. Use a fine brush to draw wrinkles and liver spots.
  2. Apply a grey wig or style your hair to look matted and aged.
  3. Incorporate props like an oxygen tube to enhance the character.

Child Zombie with Gory Details

This zombie makeup look for kids is both eerie and effective. The dark, hollowed eyes with purple and green undertones create a sickly appearance, while the gruesome mouth with decaying teeth adds to the horror. The bloodied wound on the forehead and the tattered, bloodstained dress enhance the overall spooky and realistic effect, making it a great choice for a Halloween scary costume.

• • Dark, hollowed eyes with purple and green undertones
  • Gruesome mouth with decaying teeth
  • Bloodied forehead wound

Tips:

• 1. Use a mix of green and purple face paint for a sickly complexion.
  2. Apply black and brown makeup around the eyes for a hollow effect.
  3. Create a bloody wound with fake blood and latex for added realism.

Zombie Nurse with a Bloody Twist

This zombie nurse look combines the macabre with a touch of dark humor. The blood-splattered nurse outfit, complete with a syringe prop, sets the scene for a truly scary and creative costume. The makeup features a torn mouth with exposed teeth and a bloodied neck, adding to the overall terror. The messy, two-toned hair and dark eye makeup complete the horrifying ensemble.

• • Blood-splattered nurse outfit with syringe prop
  • Torn mouth with exposed teeth
  • Messy, two-toned hair

Tips:

• 1. Use a white nurse outfit and splatter it with fake blood.
  2. Create a torn mouth effect with latex and face paint.
  3. Add dark eye makeup and messy hair for a finishing touch.

Exposed Brain Zombie

This zombie makeup is both horrifying and unique, featuring an exposed brain with realistic blood and gore. The pale, decayed skin tone contrasts sharply with the vibrant brain, creating a striking effect. The bloodshot eyes and hollowed cheeks add to the overall spooky and unsettling appearance.

• • Exposed brain with realistic blood
  • Pale, decayed skin tone
  • Bloodshot eyes and hollowed cheeks

Tips:

• 1. Use a brain prosthetic piece and blend it with face paint.
  2. Apply a pale foundation and dark contour to create a decayed look.
  3. Use red face paint around the eyes for a bloodshot effect.

Zombie with Rollers and a Cup

This zombie makeup look combines humor and horror, featuring a character with purple-toned skin, eerie orange eyes, and hair in rollers. The detailed wrinkles and sunken eyes add to the aged, undead appearance, while the addition of rollers and a cup provides a fun twist on the traditional zombie look.

• • Purple-toned skin with detailed wrinkles
  • Eerie orange eyes
  • Hair in rollers, holding a cup

Tips:

• 1. Use purple face paint and a fine brush for the wrinkles.
  2. Apply orange contacts for an eerie effect.
  3. Style hair in rollers and hold a cup for a humorous touch.

Neon Zombie with Cartoonish Features

This cartoonish zombie look is both vibrant and spooky, featuring neon green hair and a purple-toned face. The exaggerated features, such as the exposed brain and missing eye, add a unique and creative twist. The bright colors and detailed face paint make this look stand out, perfect for those who want to combine horror with a pop art style.

• • Neon green hair and purple-toned face
  • Exposed brain and missing eye
  • Exaggerated, cartoonish features

Tips:

• 1. Use neon hair dye or a wig for the bright green effect.
  2. Apply purple face paint and exaggerate the features with black outlines.
  3. Create an exposed brain and missing eye with prosthetics and face paint.

Decayed Zombie with Hollow Eyes

This zombie makeup look is truly terrifying, featuring decayed skin, hollow eyes, and exposed teeth. The artist has used a mix of grey, black, and red tones to create a gruesome and realistic effect. The bloodshot eyes and sunken cheeks add to the overall horror, making it a perfect Halloween scary transformation.

• • Decayed skin with grey, black, and red tones
  • Hollow eyes and bloodshot effect
  • Exposed teeth and sunken cheeks

Tips:

• 1. Use grey and black face paint for a decayed look.
  2. Apply red face paint around the eyes for a bloodshot effect.
  3. Use a combination of face paint and prosthetics for the exposed teeth.

Ghastly Zombie with Veiny Details

This look exudes a haunting, ghostly vibe with its pale complexion and prominent purple veins. The darkened eyes and purple-tinted lips add a sinister touch, making it a perfect choice for a Halloween scary appearance. The overall effect is eerie and realistic, ideal for creating a spooky atmosphere.

• • Pale complexion with prominent purple veins
  • Darkened eyes and purple-tinted lips
  • Subtle yet eerie appearance

Tips:

• 1. Use light foundation to achieve a pale look.
  2. Draw veins with a fine brush and purple face paint.
  3. Apply dark eyeshadow around the eyes and purple lipstick for the finishing touch.

Gory Zombie with Can and Exposed Ribs

This zombie makeup is both gory and imaginative, featuring a soda can embedded in the forehead and exposed ribs covered in blood. The blue hair adds a punk rock twist, while the decayed skin and hollow eyes enhance the overall scary look. This creative approach makes it a standout Halloween costume.

• • Soda can embedded in the forehead
  • Exposed ribs with a bloody effect
  • Blue hair for a punk rock twist

Tips:

• 1. Use a can prop and secure it with liquid latex.
  2. Create the exposed ribs effect with prosthetics and fake blood.
  3. Dye hair blue or use a wig to complete the look.

Everyday Zombie with Natural Decay

This look captures the essence of a freshly turned zombie with its natural decay and blood-splattered face. The makeup features bruised eyes, cuts, and a blood-stained shirt, making it both simple and realistic. This easy transformation is ideal for anyone looking to achieve a quick yet effective zombie look.

• • Bruised eyes and cuts
  • Blood-splattered face and shirt
  • Natural decay effect

Tips:

• 1. Apply dark eyeshadow around the eyes for a bruised effect.
  2. Use fake blood to create cuts and splatters.
  3. Wear old clothes and stain them with fake blood for realism.

Glamorous Zombie with Exposed Teeth

This zombie makeup merges glamour with horror, showcasing exposed teeth and a bloodied forehead. The pale skin contrasts sharply with the dark, hollow eyes and bloody mouth, creating a striking and spooky appearance. The addition of subtle contouring enhances the aesthetic appeal, making it both scary and captivating.

• • Exposed teeth and bloodied forehead
  • Dark, hollow eyes
  • Subtle contouring for an aesthetic touch

Tips:

• 1. Use face paint and prosthetics for the exposed teeth effect.
  2. Apply dark eyeshadow around the eyes and fake blood on the forehead.
  3. Contour the face with grey and brown tones for depth.

Green Zombie with Multiple Mouths

This unique look features a green-toned face with multiple mouths, each detailed with sharp teeth and blood. The addition of orange contact lenses and a high ponytail adds to the scary and creative effect. This amazing transformation is perfect for those seeking a Halloween costume that is both spooky and innovative.

• • Green-toned face with multiple mouths
  • Sharp teeth and blood details
  • Orange contact lenses and high ponytail

Tips:

• 1. Use green face paint for the base.
  2. Draw multiple mouths with fine brushes and use fake blood for detail.
  3. Enhance the look with colored contact lenses.

Blood-Soaked Zombie with Intense Eyes

This zombie makeup is intensely horrifying, featuring a blood-soaked face and stark white eyes. The realistic wrinkles and textured skin add to the terror and make it an amazing choice for Halloween. The overall effect is both scary and spooky, guaranteed to turn heads.

• • Blood-soaked face with realistic wrinkles
  • Stark white eyes for an intense look
  • Textured skin for added realism

Tips:

• 1. Apply fake blood generously on the face and neck.
  2. Use wrinkle prosthetics or draw wrinkles with fine brushes.
  3. Wear white contact lenses for the finishing touch.

Skeletal Zombie with Severe Decay

This zombie makeup look features severe decay, with exposed teeth and skeletal details creating a truly terrifying effect. The bloody wounds and sunken eyes add to the horror, making this look perfect for a Halloween scary appearance. The use of prosthetics and realistic textures highlights the sfx skills involved.

• • Exposed teeth and skeletal details
  • Bloody wounds and sunken eyes
  • Realistic textures and prosthetics

Tips:

• 1. Use prosthetics for the skeletal and teeth effects.
  2. Apply dark makeup around the eyes to create a sunken look.
  3. Add fake blood for a fresh wound appearance.

Office Zombie with Subtle Horror

This zombie makeup look is perfect for a quick yet effective transformation. The subtle bruises, veins, and blood splatters make it both realistic and easy to achieve. The use of white contacts enhances the scary appearance, making it ideal for an office party or casual Halloween event.

• • Subtle bruises and veins
  • Blood splatters and white contacts
  • Easy and quick transformation

Tips:

• 1. Use purple and blue face paint for bruises.
  2. Draw veins with a fine brush.
  3. Add fake blood and white contacts to complete the look.

Elderly Zombie with Realistic Details

This look captures the essence of an elderly zombie with its detailed textures and realistic decay. The sunken eyes, liver spots, and detailed wrinkles create a scary yet realistic effect. The overall look is enhanced by the use of prosthetics and intricate face painting.

• • Detailed wrinkles and liver spots
  • Sunken eyes and realistic decay
  • Prosthetics for added texture

Tips:

• 1. Use a fine brush to draw wrinkles and liver spots.
  2. Apply dark eyeshadow around the eyes for a sunken effect.
  3. Use prosthetics to add texture and depth.

Stitched Zombie with Glamorous Touch

This zombie makeup combines horror with a touch of glamour, featuring stitched skin and contrasting beauty makeup. The green undertones and detailed stitching make it unique and creative, perfect for those looking to stand out. The combination of beauty and horror elements creates a striking Halloween look.

• • Stitched skin with detailed lines
  • Green undertones for a sickly appearance
  • Glamorous beauty makeup on one side
• Tips:
  • Use face paint to create the stitched effect.
  • Apply green face paint for an undead look.
  • Combine horror and beauty makeup for a unique appearance.

Veiny Zombie with Bloodshot Eyes

This look features prominent veins and bloodshot eyes, creating a spooky and scary effect. The intricate veining and realistic textures make it an excellent choice for a detailed zombie transformation. The use of colored contacts adds to the overall horror.

• • Prominent veins and realistic textures
  • Bloodshot eyes and subtle bruises
  • Colored contacts for added effect

Tips:

• 1. Draw veins with a fine brush and purple face paint.
  2. Apply red eyeshadow around the eyes for a bloodshot look.
  3. Use colored contacts to enhance the transformation.

Angry Zombie with Intense Features

This zombie makeup look is characterized by its intense features, including red-rimmed eyes, decayed skin, and an overall angry expression. The detailed wounds and dark makeup create a truly terrifying effect, making it perfect for a Halloween scary costume.

• • Red-rimmed eyes and dark makeup
  • Decayed skin with detailed wounds
  • Angry, intense expression

Tips:

• 1. Use red and black eyeshadow for the eyes.
  2. Apply latex and face paint for decayed skin.
  3. Create detailed wounds with fake blood and prosthetics.

Bloodied and Veiny Zombie

This look is intensely horrifying with its bloodied face and prominent veins. The white contact lenses create a blank, soulless stare that adds to the overall scary appearance. The smudged, dark makeup around the eyes and mouth gives an impression of decay and brutality, making it a standout zombie makeup for those looking to terrify.

• • Bloodied face with realistic blood
  • Prominent veins for added horror
  • White contact lenses for a soulless stare

Tips:

• 1. Use fake blood generously around the mouth and eyes.
  2. Draw veins with a fine brush and purple face paint.
  3. Apply white contact lenses to enhance the effect.

Glamorous Zombie with Detailed Decay

This zombie makeup look combines glamour and decay in a stunning way. The half-rotted face features realistic wounds and decayed skin, masterfully blended with flawless beauty makeup. The dark, smoky eye and white contact lens create a dramatic contrast, enhancing the scary yet beautiful appearance. The voluminous blonde hair adds a touch of elegance, making this look perfect for those who want a unique and creative Halloween costume.

• • Half-rotted face with realistic wounds
  • Dark, smoky eye and white contact lens
  • Voluminous blonde hair for an elegant touch

Tips:

• 1. Use prosthetics and face paint to create realistic wounds.
  2. Apply dark eyeshadow and eyeliner for a dramatic smoky eye.
  3. Enhance the look with a white contact lens for added horror

Heart-Shaped Zombie

This creative and unique look combines elements of a cute heart with a terrifying zombie twist. The bright pink and black color scheme adds a pop-art style, while the exposed teeth and torn flesh details bring the horror. The addition of heart-shaped face paint and exaggerated lashes provides a pretty yet spooky contrast.

• • Heart-shaped pink and black face paint
  • Exposed teeth and torn flesh details
  • Exaggerated lashes for a pop-art effect

Tips:

• 1. Use bright pink and black face paint to create the heart shape.
  2. Draw exposed teeth with fine brushes and add fake blood.
  3. Apply long, dramatic lashes to complete the look.

Innocent Zombie Child

This zombie makeup look for kids is both subtle and effective, making it an easy and quick transformation. The dark circles around the eyes and the pale complexion create a sickly appearance. The addition of a small, textured wound on the cheek adds a realistic touch without being too frightening.

• • Dark circles around the eyes
  • Pale complexion for a sickly look
  • Small textured wound on the cheek

Tips:

• 1. Use dark eyeshadow to create circles around the eyes.
  2. Apply a light foundation for a pale effect.
  3. Use latex and face paint to create the wound.

Decayed Zombie with Intense Stare

This look is characterized by deep wrinkles, sunken eyes, and decayed skin, creating a spooky and realistic effect. The white contact lenses and exposed teeth add to the horror, making it a perfect choice for a Halloween scary appearance. The detailed textures and use of dark shades highlight the sfx skills involved.

• • Deep wrinkles and sunken eyes
  • Decayed skin with exposed teeth
  • White contact lenses for an intense stare

Tips:

• 1. Use a fine brush to draw deep wrinkles and add texture.
  2. Apply dark eyeshadow around the eyes for a sunken look.
  3. Use prosthetics and fake blood for the decayed skin effect.

Creating zombie makeup that stands out requires a blend of creativity, skill, and the right tools. These looks provide a range of ideas from simple to realistic, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re aiming for a cute or scary vibe, these inspiration pieces will help you achieve the perfect Halloween transformation. Don’t forget to share your amazing creations and let us know which look you found the most spooky!