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Back in the day, before I became a journalist with a head full of spreadsheets and an overpriced coffee always in hand, I was a body painter. It all started with a fascination with the YouTuber Madeyewlook and a prank on my high school boyfriend, and an obsession started. I spent weeks painting myself into new creations, transforming into demons, mermaids, and just anything I felt inspired by. Soon, all of my Christmas lists were filled with supplies, and every free day I had was spent in front of my $10 mirror. Later came the Instagram challenges and paying gigs, and that was my life for six years!
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Passion may die, but knowledge is forever, and while it’s been a minute since I picked up a brush, I do remember a lot of what to use as a former professional, from the best paints to the SFX products that make a big impact.
Not all products are created equal, and as a woman with sensitive skin, it was definitely a trial-and-error process. However, years later, I still remember what I loved, and what you should definitely invest in for your Halloween antics.
Below, see which body painter-approved products you should snag for Halloween 2025:
Paints
Before I begin, I must emphasize: Please refrain from using acrylic or oil-based paints on your face. You need to get paints that are safe for your skin, also known as water-based or alcohol-based. Now, I typically recommend water-based products since they’re easier to work with, and there are so many wonderful options out there.
Water-based paints are perfect for creating the most colorful, spooky looks, while alcohol-based paints are ideal for more realistic looks (like zombies, infected looks, etc)! See the top picks below:
Wolfe FX Essential Hydrocolor Makeup Palette
My all-time favorite palette was the Wolfe FX Essential Hydrocolor Makeup Palette, mainly for detail work. I have a larger face, and I needed a lot of product to cover my whole face and chest. But this palette comes with a bunch of vibrant colors, and it’s perfect to help you create a detailed masterpiece. Plus, if you’re still getting a handle on how much water to use, this is a really good beginner product!
Mehron Makeup Paradise Makeup AQ 30 Color Pro Palette
There’s a reason why so, so many professionals use the Mehron Paradise Paints. This palette is perfect for beginners, mainly since it includes extra black and white paints (trust me, you’ll always run out of those first). They’re pigmented as heck, and aren’t harsh on the skin because of the Aloe, Avocado, Cucumber, and Vitamin E. You can mix them, blend them, and even refill them, which is so convenient instead of buying a whole other palette. (Been there, done that.)
Graftobian ProPaints
My first love was Graftobian ProPaints. There’s so much in the pot, and they last so dang long. There are many colors, including metallics (which are challenging to blend, so apply them close to the last step), and they’re amazing as a base or for detail work alike. (And I adored the Box 1 palette, but if you wanna start small, try out the individual paints on Amazon!)
Mehron Makeup Clown White Lite
Trust me, you will need as much black and white paint as possible because they’re the first to run out. If you’re not loving the idea of having water-based paint all over your face, try this Mehron cream paint. Tip: make sure you powder it if it’s your base and then apply the other paints on top! Cream can move arounda lot so it’s important to set it.
Narrative Cosmetics 12-Color Flesh Tone Alcohol-Activated Palette
Not only is this great for tattoo cover-ups, but alcohol-based paints like this are also amazing for creating realistic effects, such as zombie bites, veins, and more. You use isopropyl alcohol to activate it instead of water!
Makeup & Tools
Now, paint is a lot of the battle, but if you want detailed and amazing looks, you need to invest in the right tools and makeup. Creating a character can include some detail work like shading, regular eyeshadow and eyeliner application, and of course, the tools to make it all happen. It can be hard to find it all, but that’s what I’m here for! Remember: you don’t need all the products to make something good, you just need to be versatile and try new things with it! (And you can always use the makeup and tools you already have, just make sure to clean them!)
Sunset Makeup Colorful Foundation
So, Sunset Makeup wasn’t around in my busiest time as a bodypainter, but OMG. Sunset Makeup is a godsend for making colorful makeup, from their foundations to their powders. If you want to get into makeup, I’d recommend them anyway, especially if you don’t want the paint to feel on your skin. Their foundations give you all the color and coverage you could need, and at an affordable price. Just make sure to prime and set like you would with your everyday foundation.
L.A. Girl Hd Pro Conceal, Flat White Corrector
Like white paint, you can’t go wrong with getting a white concealer for the more natural, eye-based looks!
ONMAY Water Activated Split Cake Eyeliners
Colorful eyeliners are a must for creating cool looks. As someone who’s gotten a lot of paint in her eyes, having liquid eyeliners can save you a headache (and some paints are actually recommended not to go near your eyes, so check that!) These ones are easy to use, colorful, blendable, and I still repurchase them to this day for bold eye looks!
SHANY Highly Pigmented Eye Makeup Palette
We know: a true blast from the past. (If you know, you know, but if you don’t, all the beginner makeup girlies from the 2010s had a palette like this in their vanity.) While the one I used is no longer available, this one is exactly like it: pigmented, versatile, and easy to add and blend out on your face/body.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Pack
Separate your everyday sponges from your makeup sponges! Don’t get he flimsy ones either, invest in quality sponges that you can still get for a really good price at the drugstore!
Nicpro Detail Paint Brushes
If you want detailed looks, you need detail brushes. Get detailed paint brushes from the craft store (maybe even ones meant for miniatures), and see how creative you can really get with them!
LorDac Paint Brush Set
When getting brushes for bodypaint and SFX, versatility is the way to go. So you can either invest in paint brushes used for acrylic, watercolor, and oil, so you know it’ll pick up everything…
Madeyewlook Luxe Makeup Brush Set
…Or you can invest in a quality brush set meant for all things makeup and paint. Bodypainter Alexys Fleming, also known as “Lex” and “madeyewlook” came out with her own line, and her makeup brushes are perfect for any beginner tyring to dive into the bodypainting world!
SFX Products
SFX makeup is one of the messiest, most fun things to do, especially in the Halloween season. It can truly take your scary or mystical look to the next level with pretty easy-to-use products. And don’t just stop here, there’s teeth paint, colloidion, prosthetics, contacts (but don’t skimp out on these, we don’t want eye problems), and more.
Mehron Makeup SynWax
If you wanna change the shape of your chin, nose, or cheekbones, or create some seriously effective wounds, scar wax is the supreme go-to. While I mainly used Ben Nye, the Mehron one is just as versatile, and moldable. (Just remember to set the scar wax with powder, and apply with spirit gum to make it last longer.)
Monster Liquid Latex
While I personally have a love-hate relationship with liquid latex, it is essential for many SFX looks. This one dries clear, so you won’t get super unslightly lines that break up the look, and it’ll be a long time before you run out! (Note: Do a patch test on your hand beforehand to see if your skin reacts fine to it, and also remember removing it can be pretty painful, and avoid using it on your eyebrows because it can rip off the hair.)
Mehron Makeup Spirit Gum & Remover Combo Kit
No, spirit gum isn’t a funny Halloween-themed gum, it’s a lifesaver. If you’re putting on prosthetics or something kooky on your face like fake moss or huge gemstones, spirit gum is an amazing adhesive. All you do is brush a little on your face, tap until it gets tacky, and do the same with whatever you’re going to apply to your face and stick it on! It’s easy, and pretty painless when you use the remover. (Don’t ever forget the remover.)
Mehron Makeup Coagulated Blood Gel
You want that scabby, coagulated blood effect without doing a science project that reeks? This blood gel is realistic, easy to apply, and surprisingly not as messy as you may think.
Before you go, click here to see the best products for your brittle nails below: