Skeleton Face Paint Ideas for Halloween - Easy Face Painting Ideas

These skeleton face painting designs are perfect for pairing with your Halloween costume this year!

Whether you need easy options for kids or more intricate designs for adults, you’ll love these fabulous skeleton face paint ideas!

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With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what costume you will wear.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different this year, why not try skeleton face paint for Halloween?

Skull designs are easy to do, fairly inexpensive, and can be really effective in creating a spooky look.

We’re going to show you how to create a skeleton face paint look that is perfect for Halloween!

collage image featuring four people with their faces painted like a skeleton. An overlay reads, "10 Easy Skeleton Face Painting Ideas"

Helpful Supplies for Creating Your Face Paint Designs

You don’t have to be a makeup artist to create an awesome skeleton design.

However, having the right supplies and tools will make it even easier to execute these easy Halloween makeup designs, especially if you’re a beginner! You don’t need prior art experience, but these tools are useful:

If you need an easy-to-use paint, these water-based face paint sticks make it easy!
For a good quality, basic palette of face paints that you can use for multiple designs, this Snazaroo party pack set is a great face painting kit that’s perfect for getting started.
You’ll need plenty of black face paint and white face paint–this duo paint set is perfect for a skeleton look. You could also use black eyeliner and black eyeshadow if you have them on hand in your makeup bag.

Be sure to check out our suggestions for removing face paint afterward!

Skeleton Face Painting Design Ideas

If you don’t know where to turn for skeleton face paint ideas, then this list is going to make you very happy. It’s possible to create your very own skeleton face paint design right home.

Here are a few of the best skeleton face painting ideas to get you started.

1. Black and White Skeleton Face Paint

This black and white skeleton face paint is perfect for creating an eerie, ghoulish look this Halloween.

The easy-to-use paint can be applied in just minutes, and it washes off easily with soap and water.

You’ll simply start by painting the entire face with a base color–in this case, white face paint does the trick. You can use a thick layer or a cloud-like thin coat.

Then add accents with black paint, including eye sockets, teeth, and a couple of optional cracks.

2. Matching Pair Skeleton Face Painting

This skeleton face painting option is great for Halloween, or any other spooky occasion!

The matching makeup makes it a great couples costume, or just a fun way to get in the spirit.

Although the original design includes some gray shadows, you can omit those if you need to keep things simple.

Pair it with a skeleton costume to complete the entire look!

3. Mildly Scary Skeleton Face Paint

This face paint option is perfect for your next spooky party! It’s easy to apply, and the results are frightfully fun.

You don’t even need white paint for this idea–you simply apply some black paint onto your natural skin tone. Perfect for men, women, or children!

Since this is a more minimalist look, it isn’t quite as scary as some of the other designs, which is great if you’ll be around kids.

4. Elegant Lady Skeleton Face Paint

Even skeletons can be classy! Check out this elegant look for a skeleton. I love that it’s a half-face look, but you could carry it over the entire face if you prefer to take it next level.

Add some red lipstick and a flower crown and you’ll have the perfect Halloween look!

5. Creative Skeleton Face Paint Design for Halloween

If you’re looking to step outside of the ordinary black and white skeleton look, then this creative design is for you!

It draws on the traditional Mexican La Catrina, also known as “sugar skull makeup” designs.

Note: If you’re going to incorporate sugar skull designs, I recommend reading more of the history of these designs, in order to appreciate their origins rather than engage in cultural appropriation.

Using splashes of purple, this style is unique and fun! You could also use different colors if you prefer.

6. Side of the Face Skeleton Design

Surprise people with your talent and choose this half-face skeleton design.

This sugar skull skeleton face painting has lots of detail, perfect for the upcoming Halloween holiday.

7. Jack Skellington Face Paint Design

This fun design features every Disney fan’s favorite skeleton, Jack Skellington, from The Nightmare Before Christmas!

The half face design is unique, simple, and a fun twist on the classic skeleton look.

8. Wild & Scary Skeleton Face Painting

You have the power to be as creative as you’d like! This skeleton face painting is for someone with a little more design talent and artistic skill.

The end result is amazing–look at the detail on those skeleton teeth!

9. Angry Skeleton Design

In your creative mind, you may find skeletons to be a little more scary or angry.

You can create this look right at home for a creative take on the classic skeleton!

Using deeper lines and red face paint for a scarf, this skeleton has some personality!

10. Very Easy Skeleton Design for kids or adults

Sometimes you just need a quick and easy skeleton face paint tutorial, especially if you’re a beginner face painter. This option is for you!

You’ll love how simple the process is and the end result is still super impressive! It’s an easy Halloween face paint idea you can pair with a simple costume.

Perfect for a little boy or little girl who won’t be able to sit still for a detailed design.

After you cover the whole face, including the lips, with white face paint, you’ll add the accents in black paint. Easy peasy!

11. Cute “Sugar Skull” Face Paint for Kids

This adaptation of the traditional Mexican face paint for Dia de los Muertos is a cute Halloween makeup look for children, removing all “spooky” aspects of some skeleton face paint designs.

Bright colors and simple lines keep this a relatively easy design, but the finishing touches make it so fun.

Skeleton Face Paint for Halloween

If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to dress up for Halloween this year, consider skeleton face paint!

There are so many different Halloween face painting options for you to choose from, all of which are perfect for creating an eerie or fun skeleton look for a Halloween party.

Whether you’re dressing up as a couple or want to go it alone, these ideas should get you started!

More Easy Halloween Face Paint Ideas: