Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated from October 31 to November 2. You may have noticed sugar skull makeup becoming increasingly visible in pop culture as well as making its way into the
Halloween makeup circuit. These pretty skull makeup iterations are derived from gravesite offerings, made of vibrantly painted sugar in the form of a skull. Many families celebrate the Day of the Dead by going to cemeteries to visit deceased relatives, offering family photos, colorful decorations and their favorite foods.
While Halloween skull makeup often dominates the month of October, many of these gorgeous designs are making the crossover into Dia de los Muertos and vice-versa. Here are some of our favorite, unique skeleton designs to give you a little inspo for any time you seek to recreate sugar skull makeup. You can take a little direction from each of them to create a look that is all your own. From the creepy to the colorful, these skull makeup looks are sure to please.
This look pays tribute to the beloved Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. This skeleton makeup features her iconic unibrow as well as her image built into the design. The intricate details and the use of chartreuse make this calavera as beautiful as it is unique.
This look is minimal, feminine and oh-so-good. Pearl appliques encircle the eyes and adorn the chin and forehead. The rosy-neutral makeup is flawless and features bright pops of white to line the eyes and define the tip of the nose.
We love the use of monarch butterflies to inspire this high-contrast Day of the Dead makeup. Brightly colored wings adorn the shoulders and their red, orange and yellow hues decorate the face with hearts, flowers and beautiful, intricate details.
This sugar skull features a smoky, grunge-inspired palette giving us contrast to some of the more colorful skeletons. Deep burgundy lips and charcoal-rimmed eyes set the tone for this sophisticated, yet edgy look.
