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K, is it just me or are you already completely over summer and looking straight ahead to fall? Yeah, I see you and I’m here for you during the difficult time that is June through September. But here’s an idea: Let’s just take a quick sec to pretend that it’s October and that we’re in full preparation mode for fall’s most iconic holiday. Yep, I’m talking about Halloween—and, IMO, the easiest way to get in the mood for the spooky season is to start finding the right costume. Now, IDK if you’re ready for this, but this year, you’re 100 percent joining me in wearing pirate makeup.
Seriously, pirate makeup is highly underrated when it comes to Halloween looks (anyone else immediately envision a 13-year-old boy with an eye patch and some black eyeliner?). But this season, pirate makeup is finally having its moment. Since I know you’re going to want to start practicing ASAP, I’ve rounded up the prettiest and coolest pirate makeup looks from all of Instagram (yup, I did that for you), from a spooky pirate skull to a really cute pirate princess look. So to prepare for Halloween like the little Autumn-loving pumpkin I know you are, keep scrolling for the 30 best pirate makeup looks.
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1
This Half-Skull Pirate Makeup Look
The key ingredients in this pirate makeup are blending skills and winged eyeliner. And of course, the shimmery silver eyeshadow makes the whole look gorgeous.
Recreate it with: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Metal Moon
2
This Pink Pirate Makeup Idea
This pirate makeup look is going to require your deepest magenta eyeshadow and a fluffy brush. Basically, brush on your pink eyeshadow or blush and then extend it all the way to your cheekbones to get this rosy pink vibe.
Recreate it with: Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Shadow in Ro!se
3
This Pretty Pirate Makeup
It’s the white cream eyeshadow and lashes for me in this pirate makeup look. You can create this style with any two colors, and then add the dotted line and the “X” at the end to really bring in the pirate-y edge.
Recreate it with: Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment in Lift
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4
This Pirate Smokey Eye Makeup
IMO, a smokey eye is a great start for most Halloween looks, but it’s especially pretty on this one. The red eyeshadow combined with the gold makes this pirate makeup even better.
Recreate it with: Ismine Single Eyeshadow Powder in Rose Red
5
This Classic Pirate Look
The best part about this classic pirate look? You can really use what’s already in your makeup kit (hi, fifty shades of brown eyeshadow). The trick is to make yourself look like you haven’t showered in a fortnight and you left your oil cleanser at the last port.
Recreate it with: Huda Beauty Brown Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Chocolate
6
This Graphic Pirate Look
This pirate makeup is super eye-catching. The contrast of the graphic skull against the rest of the face is honestly so impressive. For something as detailed and bright as this, you’ll def want to start with a primer to make sure the look doesn’t start to blur after a few hours.
Recreate it with: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
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7
This Eye Patch Pirate Makeup Idea
If you’re going the eye patch route with your pirate makeup (it honestly saves you half the time and effort, TBH), you really want to play up the makeup on that one eye. Layer on the mascara (or grab some false lashes), and really hollow out your eye with dark eyeshadow.
Recreate it with: Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara
8
This Purple Pirate Makeup
I have a dark maroon lipstick hiding in the depths of my makeup bag that rarely, if ever, gets worn, and this pirate makeup might be the one thing that can change that. The magenta-purple eyeshadow and maroon lip combo is so pretty in this look, and bonus points if you already have the cool piercings, too.
Recreate it with: KVD Beauty Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow & Brow Pigment in Aubergine
9
This Half Face Pirate Look
It wouldn’t be a Halloween makeup roundup without at least one half-face look. The best thing about the half-face route is that you still get to do really pretty regular makeup while also adding the pirate flare.
Recreate it with: Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson 013
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10
This Gothic Pirate Makeup Idea
My favorite thing about this pirate makeup look is the glitter on top of the black eyeshadow––it’s such a fun touch to the look. Follow that up with layered mascara on both the top and bottom lashes to add even more ~drama~.
Recreate it with: Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Shadow Singles in Noir
11
This Subtle Pirate Makeup
If you like your Halloween makeup to be more of a vibe than a full on costume, look no further than this super cute and subtle pirate makeup. This look is all about the pretty eyeshadow, cream blush, and the subtle “X” on the cheeks to add the pirate-y touch.
Recreate it with: Hourglass Vanish Blush Stick
12
This Pirate Compass Makeup
How cute is the compass in this pirate makeup? It’s so simple and you just need some black eyeliner to draw it. To recreate her red and black eyeshadow, you’ll want to refer to the cut-crease eyeshadow technique.
Recreate it with: Huda Beauty Life Liner Double Ended Eyeliner Liquid & Pencil
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13
This Pirate Skull Makeup Idea
If you like the pirate look but prefer the skeleton side of it, this skull pirate makeup idea might be your preference. You basically need three things: black eyeshadow, white eyeshadow or face paint, and black eyeliner.
Recreate it with: Juvia's Place Nubian Eyeliner Pencil in Kajal
14
This Dead Pirate Look
This pirate makeup look proves that a dead pirate can still be a pretty pirate. The fake wounds might take some skill to recreate, but you can easily dab a little gold on and under your eyes (literally grab any gold eyeshadow at the drugstore) to create this look.
Recreate it with: Buxom Customizable Eyeshadow Bar Single Refills in 24kt Stilettos
15
This Captain Hook Inspired Pirate Makeup Idea
Would it be a pirate makeup story if there wasn’t a Captain Hook in the mix? The full body makeup is truly next level, and the gold and maroon eyeshadow gives it a really pretty flare.
Recreate it with: Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadow in Burgundy Matte
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16
This 'Pirates of The Caribbean' Inspired Makeup
If you were a POTC stan growing up, you need to try this pirate makeup. It’s more scary than glam, which might be your perfect Halloween look. Also, who doesn’t want to be a sea goddess?
Recreate it with: Melt Cosmetics Ultra-Matte Lipstick in Bane
17
This Treasure Map Makeup Look
Okay, so this one might not be super easy to recreate but hey, that’s why you’re looking so far ahead, right? With a little practice and the right makeup brushes, you could def pull off this treasure map makeup for Halloween.
Recreate it with: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Yeyo
18
This Black and Gold Pirate Makeup Idea
Don’t have an eye patch lying around the house? No problem. You can literally paint one on your face with some black face paint and gold eyeshadow. The pros? No need to compromise your depth-perception on Halloween.
Recreate it with: Mehron Makeup Liquid Face and Body Paint in Black
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19
This Bedazzled Pirate Makeup
My favorite thing about pirate makeup is that you can take it in so many directions. If you’re not into red and black, switch it up for blue and gold instead. I’m absolutely in love with the blue and gold gems under her eyes here.
Recreate it with: LolliBeads Resin Crystal Round Nail Art Mixed Flat Backs Acrylic Rhinestones Gems
20
This Skeleton Makeup Idea
This skeleton is definitely the more intricate of Halloween looks, but honestly the cool-AF result is worth it. I really love the orange and yellow shades here, which you typically don’t see in pirate makeup. Also: Don’t forget to start with a base of primer and foundation when doing a full-face like this.
Recreate it with: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
Sami Roberts
Sami Roberts was the previous beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan. Keep up with her cat-filled life in New York on Instagram.