Photographer: Justin Coit
If youve defaulted to dressing like a skeleton, a cat, or a witch for every other Halloween, this is your sign to switch it up. With the Barbie movie top of mind, we created this guide thatll walk you through how to create a doll-inspired makeup look thats equal parts beautiful and enchanting. The perfect doll makeup look starts with a flawless matte base, sweet rosy cheeks, and exaggerated eyes. Were so into the idea of using Halloween as an excuse to wear dramatic false eyelashes, play with runway-inspired faux freckles, and paint on as much pink blush makeup as we please.
To bring the vision to life, we asked celebrity makeup artist Lauren Andersen to create a doll Halloween makeup look that’s easy to copy. Whether you’re going for the porcelain doll aesthetic or channeling your inner Barbie, weve got you covered with step-by-step instructions and essential tips for your doll makeup transformation.
Meet the Expert
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Ace Your Base
Justin Coit
Start with a flawless, even complexion. Skip any foundation that promises a luminous or radiant finish—dolls pretty much keep it matte. And don’t go crazy highlighting and contouring. A small amount of matte bronzer in the hollows of your cheeks is all you need. We like NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder ($40).
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Dust on White Shadow
Justin Coit
Using a flat brush, pack white eye shadow onto your entire eyelid and carry the color down along the lower lash line. Whether you want a sparkly finish or not is up to you. We prefer the opaque finish of e.l.f. No Budge Cream Eyeshadow in Wispy Cloud ($5).
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Line Your Eyes
Justin Coit
To make your eyes pop even more– this trick creates the illusion that your eyes are not only brighter, but bigger, too– apply white eyeliner to your waterline and the inner corners of your eyes. Andersen recommends using MAC’s Eye Kohl ($23) in Fascinating to get this wide-eyed look.
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Apply Some Falsies
Justin Coit
Full, fluttery, doll-like eyelashes are the next order of business. First, apply strip lashes to your top lash line. Measure them to your eye and trim the excess before applying for the best fit. Andersen also says it’s important to let the glue sit and get tacky for a few seconds. Then, use tweezers to perfectly place individual lashes all along your lower lash line. Need more tips on how to apply false lashes flawlessly? Check Andersen’s tutorial here.
If youre glue averse, like us, weve been loving the Kiss Impress Press-On Falsies ($15), which come pre-glued; all you have to do is stick them under your natural lashes and clamp them together with the tool thats included.
For a super doll-like look, dont forget to add lots of lower lash mascara, too!
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Bring on the Blush
Justin Coit
Swirl a peachy pink blush, like Laura Mercier’s Blush Color Infusion ($36) in Strawberry, onto the apples of your cheeks. Crack a smile to find the apples of your cheeks, then use circular motions with a big fluffy brush to concentrate the color there.
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Fake Your Freckles
Justin Coit
To create doll-like freckles, use brown gel eyeliner and a precision brush, or a sharp brown eye pencil. (Or a specific freckle pen like Lime Crime Freckle Pen). Sprinkle them across your nose and cheeks, making them different sizes and varying the strength of color. If one gets too dark, Andersen says you can just press the spot with your finger a few times to soften it, then use the excess pigment and dab it in another spot where you want some freckles.
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Paint Your Pout Pink
Justin Coit
Finish off your doll-inspired makeup look with a bright pink lip. Skip gloss, and go with matte or semi-matte lipstick. Try Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour ($45) in Intense.
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Youre Costume-Ready
Justin Coit
And that’s it—you’re Halloween-ready! Just step into your life-size Barbie box ($35) or add a bow.