Cat Makeup for Halloween: Step-by-Step Guide in Three Styles

Cat Halloween makeup is one of the most popular looks of the season for a simple reason: it works for every age, goes with black clothes you already own and can be as quick or as detailed as you like. Here are three styles, from a five-minute version to a full-face tabby, each with step-by-step instructions.

What you need

• Black liquid or gel eyeliner, or black face paint and a fine brush
• Pink or brown lipstick, blush or face paint for the nose
• White face paint or a white eyeliner (optional, for the muzzle)
• Brown and black eyeshadow for the glam version
• Setting powder and cotton swabs for clean-up
• Cat ears on a headband to finish

Style 1: the five-minute cat

1. Nose: color the tip of the nose with black liner or pink lipstick, shaping it into a soft upside-down triangle.
2. Philtrum: draw a straight line from the bottom of the nose down to the center of the upper lip.
3. Mouth: outline the upper lip in black, curving slightly upward at the corners.
4. Whiskers: place three small dots on each side of the upper lip, then draw three whiskers from the dots outward across each cheek, flicking the brush up at the end so each whisker tapers.
5. Set: press a little powder over the whiskers so they do not smudge.

Style 2: the glam cat eye

1. Shadow: sweep a warm brown shadow over the lid and blend a darker shade into the outer corner, pulling it up toward the end of the brow.
2. Liner: draw a winged liner and extend it further than usual, angling the wing up toward the tail of the brow.
3. Inner corner: extend the liner down slightly past the inner corner of the eye for an almond, cat-like shape.
4. Lower lash line: smudge a little dark shadow under the outer half of the lower lashes and connect it to the wing.
5. Nose and whiskers: add a small dark nose tip and three fine whiskers on each cheek.
6. Lips: finish with a neutral or deep berry lipstick.

Use only products made for the eye area around the eyes, and do not share eyeliner or mascara. The FDA warns that shared eye cosmetics can spread germs.

Style 3: full-face tabby for kids

1. Muzzle: sponge white face paint over the upper lip and chin, and a little above the eyebrows.
2. Base: sponge orange, gray or tan over the rest of the face, avoiding the eyelids, and blend it softly into the white.
3. Stripes: with a fine brush and black or dark brown, paint tapered stripes inward from the hairline and from the sides of the face toward the cheeks.
4. Nose: paint a pink or black triangle on the tip of the nose and the line to the lip.
5. Whiskers and dots: add whisker dots on the white muzzle and thin whiskers across the cheeks.
6. Highlights: a few white strokes above the eyebrows make the face look furry.

Patch test the face paint on the child's arm a day or two before. For more designs for young children, see our face paint ideas for kids.

Color variations

Cat	Base	Stripes or details
Black cat	No base, or a light gray	Black nose, white whiskers on a dark muzzle
Tabby	Orange or tan	Brown or black stripes
Calico	White	Patches of orange and black
Snow leopard	White and light gray	Black rosette spots on the forehead and cheeks
Tiger	Bright orange	Bold black stripes, white muzzle

Finishing the cat costume

A black outfit, ears on a headband and a tail made from a stuffed black sock are all you need. The black cat is one of the closet costumes in our 25 easy DIY Halloween costumes. Add a collar ribbon with a bell for a younger child, or a sleek black turtleneck for the glam version.

A word on cat-eye contact lenses

Slit-pupil lenses look striking, but the FDA states that all contact lenses, including decorative ones, must be prescribed by a doctor, and warns against buying them from novelty or Halloween stores or street vendors. Lenses obtained without a prescription can cause eye infections and injuries. Let the eyeliner do the work instead, or see an eye care professional first.

Removing cat makeup

Use the removal method on each product's label. For eyeliner, hold a cotton pad soaked in eye makeup remover on the eye for a few seconds, then wipe gently outward. Wash face paint off with warm water and a mild cleanser. For quicker looks to pair with friends, try our easy Halloween makeup ideas.