Halloween 2023: Barbie Makeup Costume Tutorial

You can’t deny it—this summer was all about the Barbie movie. Yet as spooky season dawns upon us once again, it’s clear that Barbiecore is still standing strong as one of the biggest beauty trends of 2023. After seeing so many different Barbie-inspired Halloween makeup looks on our feeds, thanks to the creativity from beauty creators and our own Milk Fam, we can’t help but wanna try them all. And maybe even add a new twist on the look.

The best Halloween makeup, though, starts with a face that’s well-primed—and it’ll last better when it’s sealed with a good setting spray. Our best products for keeping your makeup on point start with our Hydro Grip fam. It’s got everything you need to prime and set your makeup—and when you’re done, our Hydro Ungrip range will seamlessly take it all off.

Whether you’ve been spending weeks painstakingly planning your outfit or you need some quick Halloween costume ideas for a last-minute party you forgot about, Hydro’s got you. And we’ve got some ideas on how you can use it this Halloween.

We didn’t have to look far for inspiration, either. If you recall, last year Milk Makeup cofounder, Zanna Roberts-Rassi, attended an event rocking some dedicated Barbie makeup. Keeping on theme, Zanna enlisted the help of her makeup artist, Ruthie Weems, to create a look fit for the occasion—and it’s perfect to recreate for Halloween. Read on for deets so you can diy this glam at home.

1. Primer + Base

Any decent makeup tutorial will tell you to start with your usual skincare routine. Once your face is cleansed and moisturized, apply a primer so your makeup has a smooth canvas to stick to—our award-winning Hydro Grip Primer locks it all into place and leaves a dewy finish. For this particular look, Zanna used our mattifying Pore Eclipse Primer. Whichever you choose, apply a thin layer of the stuff all over your face, then let it set for one minute before applying your makeup.While you wait, prime your eyelids. Our Hydro Grip Eye Primer creates a smooth base for your shadows and has powders that create a soft-focus effect to blur fine lines around your eyes. It also helps prevent your makeup from creasing, fading, and smudging. Swipe it over your lid and your undereyes, then blend it out. Let your eye primer set for one minute.

This is also a good time, if you want, to add some blue colored contacts to your look as Zanna did. She chose an almost cartoon-esque color for that perfect doll-meets-human vibe. (And if you’re going for that classic Mattel Barbie doll look—aka sterotypical Barbie—a blonde wig does wonders.)

Once your primer is dry, apply the rest of your base products. Our Flex Foundation Stick offers medium coverage in a range of 36 shades. Conceal with our Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer.

Milk Makeup cofounder Zanna Roberts-Rassi applies Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Primer

2. Brows + Eyes

Once your base is done, it’s on to the eyes. Fill in your brows with our KUSH Fiber Brow Gel, then get to work on eyeshadow. Zanna’s is smoky and shimmery, with a bold pop of pink—after all, it ain’t Barbie if it ain’t pink.

Buff a matte hot pink shade into your crease, then add a shimmery pink eyeshadow to your lids, one that complements your skin tone. Then, on the outer third of your lid, blend and buff in a darker shadow to create that smoky effect. Our Color Chalk in Skateboard (black) or Trampoline (pewter) are two great options. Swipe directly onto your outer lids, then blend in with a brush.

When you’re done, grab a black eyeliner, like our Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outer Space, to line your lids and waterline. Feel free to add your own spin on the look with a cat eye! Top it all off with full, bold, doll-like false lashes, making sure to blend them in with your natural ones by adding some of our KUSH or RISE Mascara.

Milk Makeup cofounder Zanna Roberts-Rassi gets her brows filled in and eyeshadow applied by a makeup artist

3. Blush + Lip Color

Now, for the rest of the face. A bold eye look like this should be balanced with some blush. Our Lip + Cheek in Werk is a TikTok fave and one of our best-selling shades, though you’re free to choose the color that you feel best suits the overall look. Apply it directly to your cheeks, then blend it out with your fingers. Swipe it on your lips, too—the color is buildable, so you can choose to do a sheer tint or something more saturated.

To get that glazed, life-in-plastic complexion, grab some Bionic Glow, our liquid highlighter that’ll add just the right amount of luster to make you look like a doll, fresh out the box. If you want to glow all over, mix it in with your moisturizer and apply it wherever else you want it.

Milk Makeup cofounder Zanna Roberts-Rassi gets blush and lip liner applied to her face by a makeup artist

4. Set + Finish

Once your look is done, seal it in with our Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray. It’s an alcohol-free setting spray that locks in your makeup for up to 12 hours and leaves your skin with a dewy, glassy glow. Reapply as needed.

Then you’re done! Now it’s time to exit the dream house and head out into the real world. Or, you know, just a fun Halloween party so you can dance the night away. (Note: Ken not included.)