Face Paint BasicsNo. 7824 · The 2026 edition
Grayscale Makeup Tutorial for Halloween
Transform into a living black-and-white photograph with this grayscale makeup tutorial.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at keikolynn.com.
Create a striking monochrome look by applying white clown makeup as a base, then contouring with black and gray. Smoke out the eyes, fill lips with gray, and set with powder. Finish with black hair spray and a vintage fascinator for a classic horror aesthetic.
Directions
- Start with primer on your skin. Use a synthetic foundation brush to apply Ben Nye Clown White to your face and neck. This product can be tricky, so warm a small amount with a hair dryer before spreading.
- With a pure white base, add shadows using black and gray Ben Nye creme colors. Contour your hairline, cheekbones, nose bridge, and jawline as you normally would, but using blacks and grays instead of browns.
- Blend the creme colors using a damp Beautyblender. Always bounce the sponge, never drag it across the skin.
- Smoke out your eyes with the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette and a matching liner. Don't forget to fill in your eyebrows.
- Apply the same gray and black creme colors to your lips. Add a dab of white in the center for dimension.
- Set everything with translucent powder to prevent creasing. Complete the grayscale effect by spraying your hair black and adding a vintage fascinator.
More photos
Photos hosted by keikolynn.com.