THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION: HALLOWEEN’S NEW FACES
Each October, makeup transforms from beauty routine to ritual. Faces become canvases; brushes become wands. This is the month when self-expression turns supernatural — and five visionaries are leading the charge, redefining Halloween not as a night of disguise, but a celebration of identity, illusion, and art.
From Vancouver to London to Los Angeles, these artists blur the line between fashion editorial and special effects. Their message is clear: creativity is the new costume — and you don’t need prosthetics to turn heads.
Below, meet the icons behind 2025’s most captivating Halloween looks, along with editor-approved Sephora essentials to help you recreate their magic.
1. Mimi Choi — @mimles
Who: The queen of optical illusion.
What: Famous for her multi-eyed, cracked porcelain, and double-vision creations that make the human face look digitally altered — but it’s all paint.
Where: From her Vancouver studio to global runways and Met Gala red carpets.
When: Since 2019’s viral Ezra Miller transformation, Mimi has defined modern illusion makeup.
Why it matters: Her art teaches precision and patience — proof that makeup can be meditative, not performative.
Pro Tip: Start small. Use your natural features as anchors (your cheekbones, eyelids, or brows) to map illusions with thin eyeliner strokes.
Iconic Product Pairings:
Sephora Collection 12H Colorful Multichrome Liquid Shadow — for multidimensional sheen that mimics 3D reflections.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glaze-On Liquid Eyeshadow — for hyper-glossy, liquid mirror effects.
2. Vanessa Davis — @the_wigs_and_makeup_manager
Who: London’s reigning theatrical makeup artist.
What: Gothic skull lace, floral bones, and fine-line illusions that merge couture fashion and SFX.
Where: From London opera houses to backstage at fashion week.
When: Her intricate skeletal designs went viral for balancing horror with elegance.
Why it matters: Vanessa turns macabre into empowerment — beauty that reclaims darkness as divine.
Pro Tip: Layer matte black eyeliner before adding shimmer. Contrast creates luxury — even in skull form.
Iconic Product Pairings:
Sephora Intense Ink Waterproof Eyeliner — ideal for graphic bones and baroque lacework.
Too Faced Disco Crush Eye & Face Sparkle — tap over highlight points for a pearlized finish.
3. Jordan Hanz — @jordanhanz
Who: The painter of souls — part body artist, part storyteller.
What: Metallic demons, fractured angels, and cinematic transformations.
Where: Los Angeles, the digital stage where every post is performance art.
When: Jordan’s hybrid of fine art and self-expression birthed a new movement: emotional body painting.
Why it matters: She invites followers to use color as catharsis — turning pain into pigment.
Pro Tip: Use cream lipsticks as paint — the long-wear formula resists smudging and doubles as texture.
Iconic Product Pairings:
Sephora Colorful Shadow Stick & Liner — for effortless shading and quick contour coverage.
Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick — pigmented enough for face or body art.
4. Ella Does FX — @elladoesfx
Who: The self-taught horror romantic.
What: Seamless SFX illusions—cuts, bruises, veins, and alien beauty.
Where: A viral favorite on TikTok and Instagram for her DIY tutorials.
When: Emerging post-lockdown, Ella gave at-home creators permission to be messy, raw, and expressive.
Why it matters: Her artistry humanizes horror. Each wound tells a story of rebirth and defiance.
Pro Tip: Mix gloss with fake blood for a dimensional, cinematic wound that catches the light naturally.
Iconic Product Pairings:
Sephora 12H Colorful Contour Eye Pencil — precise enough for capillaries or cracks.
Mini Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Palette — great for bruising tones that blend softly into skin.
5. SFX Tutorials — @sfxtutorials
Who: The anonymous educators of the SFX world.
What: Bite-sized video lessons that make pro-level horror accessible.
Where: On every screen—from Instagram Reels to TikTok how-tos.
When: Founded in 2020, the page became the world’s SFX classroom.
Why it matters: They democratize artistry. No gatekeeping, just pure creativity for everyone.
Pro Tip: Always layer products from matte → cream → powder → gloss for maximum realism and wear.
Iconic Product Pairings:
Sephora Cream Lip Stain 10HR Liquid Lipstick— perfect for fresh, smudge-proof blood tones.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray — seals your look against sweat, light, and long nights.
The Iconic Takeaway: Fear Is the New Fantasy
Halloween beauty has evolved. Gone are the days of rubber masks and party-store glitter. This year, artistry reigns — built from intention, skill, and story.
The new Halloween face is wearable, cinematic, and personal. Whether you’re channeling dark glamour or surreal illusion, your goal isn’t perfection — it’s transformation.
