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25 Cat Makeup Ideas for a Purr-fect Halloween Costume

These cat Halloween makeup tutorials are great for kids and adults.

By Taysha Murtaugh and Rebekah Lowin
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Halloween is just around the corner, and if fall's favorite holiday has snuck up on you, you may be on the hunt for the quickest and easiest last-minute Halloween costumes to throw together. If that's the case, a super simple costume with a touch of creative Halloween face paint action might just be your best bet. In fact, one of the absolute easiest Halloween getups to pull off in a snap is a DIY kid's cat costume paired with some purr-fectly adorable cat makeup ideas.

To get this look started, you only need a few things, most of which you likely already have in drawers and closets. For the base of a cat costume, all you need is black pants or leggings and a black shirt. Add a pair of kitty ears, and pin on a tail.

But what will really make your cat costume purr is the cat makeup. Explore some simple cat makeup ideas like the ones below that will put you well on your way to becoming one cool kitty! And we get that face painting can feel intimidating, but don’t be a scaredy cat. Whether you’re aiming for a cartoonish kitty face for kids or going all out with a sultry Catwoman look for grownups, you’ll find at least one cat makeup video tutorial on our list that’s right for you.

1

Cats Broadway Musical Cat Makeup

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HALLOWEEN 'CATS MOVIE' MAKEUP TUTORIAL W/ @ILLUMIN_ARTY😻🎵💀 | BEAUTY BAY
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If you're a fan of the Broadway musical, Cats, you'll love watching this video on how to replicate the realistic cat makeup that's been capturing audiences for years.

2

Realistic Cat Makeup

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Realistic CAT Makeup Tutorial | LetzMakeup
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This oh-so-realistic cat face paint look works for boys and girls alike. Everyone at the party and out trick-or-treating will no doubt look twice!

3

Cute Cat Makeup

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Cute Cat Halloween Tutorial! | I Covet Thee
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Simple, but with just enough detail, this tutorial is the sweet spot between something too subtle and too complicated. That heart nose is just adorable!

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4

Lion King Simba Cat Makeup

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Simba | The Lion King Face Painting
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Calling all Disney fans! Copy this step-by-step tutorial to achieve Simba's sweet face.

5

Cat Eye Makeup

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The Quick Version of My Signature Celebrity Kitten Eye
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If you're not looking to go all out, stick to the basics with this tried-and-true cat eye tutorial video. It'll teach you everything you need to know to get your eyes into the Halloween spirit.

6

Rainbow Kitty Cat Makeup

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Fast Easy Rainbow Kitty Face Painting Tutorial
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Who says you have to be a black cat for Halloween? Kiddos will get a kick out of this colorful kitten face paint idea. The video promises fast and easy face painting in less than 4 minutes—wow!

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7

Original Catwoman Makeup

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Original Catwoman: Makeup, Hair + Costume
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Stand out from the pack by taking a cue from the original Catwoman. This throwback tutorial is classic and timeless, and best of all, it's pretty easy too.

8

Super Fast Kitty Makeup

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1-2-3 Kitty: Super Fast Face Painting
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This step-by-step video shows just how simple it is to paint an adorable kitty face for kids. Pro tip: The key seems to be a good brush.

9

Green Eyes Cat Makeup

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Easy Cat Makeup For Halloween!
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This tutorial breaks down some of the harder aspects of more advanced looks (the white shadow around the mouth, for instance, and the winged lipstick) while still keeping things fairly easy to follow. Listen closely for the info on the colored contacts.

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10

Hello Kitty Cat Makeup

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"Hello Kitty" Makeup for Kids — Fast & Easy Face Painting Tutorial
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Hello Kitty lovers will love the real-deal look of this sweeter take on Halloween cat makeup.

11

Spotted Cat Makeup

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Channel a frisky feline with this fun and easy how-to featuring spotted details. It's easier than it looks!

12

Simple Black Cat Makeup

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Halloween : Cat Makeup | Savira Millenita
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This simple tutorial takes you through the makeup routine for a classic black cat Halloween costume that's easy-peasy and no-frills.

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13

Easy Cat Makeup for Kids

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CAT HALLOWEEN MAKEUP FOR KIDS
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For the traditional Halloween cat, it's best to keep it simple (especially if you're working with little ones who won't sit still). Black eyeliner and black and white eye shadow are really all you need. Yes, paw-lease!

14

Pretty Pink Cat Makeup

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Cute & Sexy Cat Halloween Makeup Tutorial | Quick & Easy Halloween Costume!
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Dramatic black lines paired with a pink nose and lips make for quite a bold statement.

15

Leopard or Cheetah Cat Makeup

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Cute Cheetah/Leopard Face Painting Tutorial | Feat. SophDoesNails
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When it comes to larger cats like leopards or cheetahs, the basics are the same—cat eyes, black nose and lips, whiskers, etc.—but you'll also want to add some spots for the full effect.

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16

Last-Minute Cat Makeup

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Last Minute Halloween Kitty Cat Makeup Tutorial 2015
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Need a feline-inspired look fast? This easy cat face makeup is purr-fect, whether you're attending a Halloween party or to escort the kids from house to house.

17

Cheshire Cat Makeup

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Cheshire Cat Face Makeup Tutorial
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If your kid's cat costume inspiration comes from the pages of Alice in Wonderland, you'll still draw whiskers and cat eyes—but most importantly—that wide, slightly creepy smile.

18

Lion Cat Makeup

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Lion face painting tutorial (2 versions) - Lion makeup
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Create this cat face using paint, brushes, and sponges, as shown in this step-by-step lion face tutorial.

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19

Glam Lion Halloween Makeup

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Easy Lion Halloween Makeup & Hair Tutorial 2016 | Aoife Conway ❤
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Thanks to a glittery finish, you're sure to stun in this golden cat face makeup. Throw your hair into top knots for a clever cat ear alternative.

20

Easy Kitty Cat Makeup

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(EASY) Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Kitty Cat
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Throw on a black dress and swipe on some black eyeliner for a claw-some cat face this Halloween.

Headshot of Taysha Murtaugh
Taysha Murtaugh
Lifestyle Editor

Taysha Murtaugh was the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com.

100+ Genius Halloween Ideas for 2023

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