There’s something thrilling about transforming into the undead, isn’t there? Whether you’re prepping for Halloween, a cosplay event, or just want to master some gore-glam for your next party, zombie makeup is a go-to for all things creepy, crawly, and cool.
But the question is—how do you make your zombie look stand out in a crowd of blood-dripping ghouls? Easy. You experiment with texture, color, decay, and a little imagination. In this guide, we’ll break down 20 zombie makeup ideas that go way beyond the usual green skin and red paint.
1. Classic Decaying Zombie
Let’s start with the classic.
The decaying zombie look is all about grays, blacks, and rotting flesh tones. Use tissue paper or latex to build fake wounds and add depth. Blend brown and green shadows around the eyes and cheekbones to get that sunken, hollow effect.
A touch of fake blood along the mouth and chin? Always a yes.
2. Glam Zombie Beauty
Who says zombies can’t be beautiful?
This idea fuses beauty makeup with gory elements. Think: sparkly highlighter with exposed wounds. Pair smoky eyes with blood-streaked lips. This style balances horror with hotness.
Perfect for those who want to stay spooky but still slay.
3. Radioactive Zombie
Glowing green skin? Yes, please.
Add neon greens and yellows to the face, especially around wounds and eyes. Use black liner to mimic radiation burns or veins. This look pops under blacklight—ideal for parties.
Pair with a tattered hazmat suit for full effect.
4. Vintage Zombie
What if a 1950s pinup or Victorian ghost came back as a zombie?
Add retro elements to your zombie makeup. For a pinup-zombie, winged eyeliner and red lips contrast beautifully with blood and bruises. For Victorian, pale foundation, cracked skin, and lace collars do the trick.
It’s eerie and elegant.
5. Burn Victim Zombie
This one’s intense.
Use gelatin or scar wax to create melted skin textures. Layer with red, purple, and black paints. Add gloss or fake blood for a wet, freshly-burned effect.
Warning: not for the faint-hearted.
6. Forest Zombie
Think earthy. Think mossy. Think undead druid.
Use greens, browns, and grays. Add leaves or moss around wounds and temples. A bit of brown lipstick and dark green eyeshadow completes the look.
Bonus points for tangled hair and twig accessories.
7. Ice Zombie
Frozen to death… and back again.
Use pale foundation with icy blues and whites. Add frosted lashes using mascara dipped in white pigment. Create cracked skin effects using thin black lines and highlight with silver shimmer.
Finish with fake snow or glitter on cheekbones and eyebrows.
8. Half-Glam, Half-Zombie
Can’t decide between hot and horrifying?
Split your face down the middle. One side: flawless glam makeup. The other: rotting zombie. Use SFX makeup to sculpt torn skin where the two sides meet.
It’s the best of both worlds—and gets tons of compliments.
9. Skeleton Zombie Hybrid
Why choose between a skeleton and a zombie when you can do both?
Paint one side of your face as a skull with hollow eyes and teeth. The other side gets traditional zombie textures with decaying flesh tones.
Blend the meeting point with dark contour for a seamless transition.
10. Bloody Bride Zombie
A tragic love story… with brains.
Wear a white dress and veil, then splatter with fake blood. Use pale face paint, bruised eyes, and a cracked lip effect. Add smudged mascara tears for drama.
This one’s creepy, romantic, and totally iconic.
11. Contagion Zombie
Inspired by virus horror movies?
Go with sallow skin, yellowish tones, and excessive sweat-look effects. Add skin peeling, black veins, and red-rimmed eyes.
Use a mask or gloves to sell the outbreak theme.
12. Childlike Creepy Zombie
There’s something deeply disturbing about childlike horror.
Use youthful makeup like pink blush and freckles. Then distort it—smudge, smear, and add gory wounds. Bonus: pigtails and a lollipop add to the creepy vibe.
This look gives off haunted orphan energy.
13. Siren Zombie
A waterlogged undead beauty.
Go with blue-greens, purples, and scales around the eyes or temples. Add algae-inspired textures with mesh netting and pigment sprays. Finish with wet-look gloss and dripping “seaweed”.
Your zombie just crawled out of the ocean.
14. Grayscale Zombie
Like you stepped out of a black-and-white horror film.
Use only black, white, and gray makeup. Think smoky black eyes, white skin, and charcoal-colored wounds. No color at all.
The effect? Cinematic and chilling.
15. Freshly Turned Zombie
You were just bitten. It’s happening.
Skip the full rot—go with dark under-eye circles, pale foundation, and blood dripping from a fresh bite. Add sweat and dazed eyes.
Great for subtle yet terrifying impact.
16. Cracked Porcelain Zombie Doll
Start with doll-like perfection, then break it.
Paint smooth, porcelain-like skin. Draw cracks across the face and body. Then add bruising, peeling lips, and glassy eyes.
Top it off with a doll dress and ribbons. Creepy-cute at its best.
17. Apocalypse Survivor Zombie
Half human, half infected.
Add dirt and sweat effects. Smear fake blood and make one eye look infected or decayed. Use latex to peel some skin and show partial zombie transformation.
Wear torn, rugged clothes to complete the look.
18. Underground Zombie
Think burial and rebirth.
Use muted earth tones, dark green veins, and patchy textures. Add “mud” using brown cream makeup or cocoa powder. Scatter moss or pebbles into your hair.
This look’s all about earthy horror.
19. Time-Warped Zombie
Mix any historical theme with zombie decay.
Try a flapper-zombie with 1920s curls and pearls. Or a samurai-zombie with armor and blood splatter. Blend the old-school look with decomposing features.
It’s unexpected and artistic.
20. Cyber Zombie
Welcome to undead 3024.
Use silver, teal, and neon colors. Add techy details like circuit patterns or wires peeking through “skin.” Think robotic meets rotting.
Add metallic lipstick and shimmering eyes for that cyber twist.
Wrapping It Up: Be Bold, Be Undead
Zombie makeup is one of the most creative outlets in the beauty world. You can go scary, sad, sparkly, or sci-fi—all with a few brushes and a little fake blood.
No matter which look you try, the most important ingredient is confidence. Because if you’re going undead, you might as well do it in full style.