Halloween hairstyles do more work than the makeup. A slicked back head turns a dark lip into a vampire, two high buns turn cat ears into a costume, and finger waves put a plain black dress in the 1920s. Here are 14 Halloween hairstyles matched to the costumes they finish, with the easy ones first and the time each one takes.
Messy Bun
Bouffant
Slicked Back Long
Messy Space Buns
High Ponytail
CrimpedMatch the hair to the costume
Start with the costume and work backward. The hair should agree with the era or the character, and it should survive the night without a mirror. Use this table to shortlist, then read the details below.
| Costume | Hairstyle | Time | Hold needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vampire, villain, gothic | Slicked back, deep side part | 5 minutes | Strong gel |
| Cat, alien, anime character | Space buns, high pigtails | 10 minutes | Pins and spray |
| 1920s ghost, flapper, old Hollywood | Finger waves, pin curls | 30 to 45 minutes | Setting lotion |
| Witch, forest spirit | Messy bun, loose waves, braided crown | 10 to 20 minutes | Light spray |
| Doll, cheerleader, 80s | High ponytail, crimped hair, bouffant | 10 to 20 minutes | Teasing and spray |
For how darker fall shades change the read of every style, see our guide to hair ideas by season.
14 Halloween hairstyles, easiest first
1. Slicked back
Wet hair, strong gel, comb straight back, and let it set. It is the fastest Halloween hairstyle there is and it pairs with the whole vampire makeup family. On long hair a slicked back long style tucked behind the ears looks sharpest.
2. Deep side part
Move your part two finger widths past where it usually sits and smooth the heavy side across the forehead. Instant old Hollywood or villain, no tools.
3. Wet look waves
Scrunch gel through damp waves and let them dry without touching them. Reads as mermaid, siren or sea witch, and it photographs beautifully.
4. Space buns
Two high buns, one each side of a center part. Cat ears, alien antennae and anime costumes all sit between them. Messy space buns are more forgiving than tight ones because loose pieces look intentional.
5. High pigtails
Two ponytails high on the head, curled or straight. Doll, cheerleader and schoolgirl costumes. Tie them at the crown, not behind the ears, so they show from the front.
6. High ponytail
One sleek pony as high as it will go. Add a bow for a doll, a scrunchie for the 80s, or leave it plain for a superhero. A high ponytail also keeps hair away from face paint all night.
7. Messy bun
The witch's bun. Twist the hair up loosely, pin it, then pull pieces out around the face and the nape. Under a hat it holds the shape and looks better when the hat comes off. Pair it with our witch makeup looks.
8. Braided crown
A braid around the head like a wreath, with the ends tucked under. Fairy, forest spirit, medieval and Greek costumes. Two Dutch braids pinned across the crown give the same effect faster.
9. Loose waves with a middle part
A curling wand, a center part, and a light spray. It is the base for a dozen costumes: a witch with a hat, an angel with a halo, a 70s look with round glasses.
10. Crimped hair
A crimping iron over dry hair from root to tip. Pure 80s, and it adds so much volume that a small costume suddenly looks finished. Crimped hair also holds a scrunchie ponytail better than smooth hair does.
11. Bouffant
Tease the crown, smooth the top layer over it, and pin the back. 60s, Bride of Frankenstein with a white streak sprayed in, or a beehive for a retro costume. Spray between every teased section.
12. Finger waves
The flapper wave. Setting lotion on damp hair, an S shape pressed in with a comb and your fingers, and clips to hold each curve while it dries. Plan 30 to 45 minutes the first time. Finger waves work best on chin to shoulder length hair.
13. Pin curls
Small sections wound flat against the head and pinned, then brushed out once dry. Old Hollywood, 1940s, and the softest possible ghost. Set them the night before if you can sleep in a scarf.
14. Wig cap ready
Not a style, but the step everyone skips. Braid long hair flat, pin it in a spiral, and put a wig cap over it so the wig sits level. Flat hair under a wig is the difference between a costume and a wig on a person.
See it on your own head before you spend the evening
A slicked back style flatters a strong jaw and shows every inch of the forehead. Space buns add width at the top of the head, which helps a long face and fights a round one. High pigtails pull the eye upward. None of that is obvious from a photo of someone else, and all of it is obvious in a photo of you.
HairGlam renders every style in this list, from finger waves to a high ponytail, on your own photo in seconds, and you can add one of 125 colors in the same render to preview a temporary shade; our Halloween hair color guide covers which shades wash out and which stay. Try the style on your own face in HairGlam before you pick up the gel. For the face, the new Halloween Studio puts 39 face paint and costume looks on your own photo, and your first 4 are free.
Try any Halloween look on your own face
Your first 4 Halloween looks are free. 39 face paint and costume looks, no mess, nothing to wash off.
Character names describe costume looks only. HairGlam is not affiliated with the shows or films mentioned.
Questions people ask
What is the easiest Halloween hairstyle?
Do Halloween hairstyles work on short hair?
How do I keep a Halloween hairstyle in place all night?
Can I see a Halloween hairstyle on myself before I do it?
Read next
Hair ideas by season: what to change in fall, winter, spring, summer
Halloween hair color: 12 temporary and vivid shades to test first
Vampire makeup: an easy look in 6 steps, and the hair that sells it
Witch makeup: 3 looks from easy to full green, step by step
Sugar skull makeup: the classic, a half skull and a skeleton version
