The search for the perfect Halloween costume has officially begun! Whether you’re opting for a store-bought ensemble or crafting a DIY look, plenty needs to be done to ensure that your costume is ready for the spookiest day of the year. Once you’ve finalized your outfit, hair accessories, and makeup, you’ll need a Halloween hair color or hairstyle (or both!) to tie the entire costume together! That’s where we come in.
What can I do with my hair for Halloween?
Think of your hair as the crowning glory of your Halloween costume. Consider vibrant and fantastical options like mermaid waves, neon-colored streaks, or enchanting braids for a dash of whimsy. Or, if you're leaning towards the eerie side, try sleek and mysterious black hair or blood-red vampiress tresses. For those seeking a more playful approach, a colorful wig can instantly amp up your costume game. And don't forget to explore hair accessories, too. A sparkling tiara or bewitching headband can really top off your Halloween look.
Good hair day by @amandaepsteinhair
How do you get big hair for Halloween?
Getting big, voluminous hair for Halloween is easier than you might think—it’s all about finding the right product. Start with a reliable product like Redken Full Volume Mousse to achieve that gravity-defying volume. The beauty of this mousse is the built-in heat protection, so there’s no need to reach for a separate hair primer before picking up your hot tools. Apply it to your damp hair, focusing on the roots for that extra lift. Then, grab your trusty hair dryer and a round brush to amplify your hair's volume as you blow dry. For an even more dramatic effect, consider teasing your hair gently at the crown for added height and structure.
Don't be afraid to embrace bold styles, like ‘80s-inspired curls or a towering updo—it's Halloween, after all! Finish off your big hair look with some hairspray to lock in the volume and ensure it stays fabulous throughout the night.
Biolage Professional Earl Grey Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a light silver tone to light bases with this vegan temporary color-depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner
Create warm, cinnamon tones with this vegan temporary color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Chai Tea Color Depositing Conditioner
Create ashy tones with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a cool red luster and dimension with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Saffron Red Color Depositing Conditioner
Add bold copper tones to light brown and warm red hair with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a temporary violet tone with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
How do you temporarily dye your hair for Halloween?
Temporary Halloween hair dye is a great way to switch up your look for the night. Think: sprays, chalks, gels, and creams. We’re also fans of salon-quality color-depositing conditioners, such as Biolage Professional’s Color Balms, that can temporarily transform your hue while providing intense conditioning.
Good hair day by @hairbylaurenhendricks
How long does Halloween hair dye last?
Unlock the world of temporary hair color and find an option that fits how long you want your new look to last. The longevity of your DIY Halloween hair color can span from one night to six weeks, influenced by both the specific products you apply and your hair washing frequency. For a more short-term transformation, colored hair sprays are a fitting choice as they typically endure until your next wash day.
Alternatively, semi-permanent hair colors lasts for several weeks. Yet, if you're fully committed to elevating your costume this year, collaborating with a professional colorist presents the opportunity to fashion a bespoke Halloween hair color. It's worth noting that such professional treatments will likely last well beyond the spooky season.
But whether you’re searching for temporary hair color ideas, committing to a permanent change at the salon, or you’re stepping completely out of your realm with a new updo, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of hair colors and styles for Halloween. Keep scrolling for 47 Halloween hair ideas that have it all, including inspo for different textures and hair lengths.
The Best Halloween Hair Color Ideas to Try Now
Good hair day by @colorbyjacob
Galactic Pink
A pastel pink hue will take an extraterrestrial look to the next level. If you go the permanent color route, pick up a color care system formulated to help keep your fresh new color looking flawless between salon appointments. Our pick: Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner.
Good hair day by @marieevefaucher
Fire Ombre
Elevate any devilish costume into an All Hallows’ Eve showstopper with the addition of this daring fire ombre, which is guaranteed to turn heads.
Good hair day by @hairbysamanthaj_
Black and Silver
You don’t need to wear a costume to fully embrace spooky season. A black and silver hair color combo will help you show your Halloween spirit and look stylish all season long.
Good hair day by @lorendoeshair and @lorencltmane
Skunk Stripe
Villains can give us hair inspiration, too! Take a cue from the antagonist of everyone’s favorite dalmatian movie by opting for a platinum “skunk stripe” streak on jet-black hair.
Good hair day by @trishas.hair
Jester Color Block
We don’t know about you, but this color-blocked turquoise has ‘evil jester’ written all over it.
Good hair day by @tomasbondhair
Cheetah Buzzcut (Slide 2 of 3)
Amp up your buzzcut for Halloween by asking a pro colorist for a fun design like cheetah print. Just be sure your colorist is skilled in hair artwork to pull off an intricate effect like this.
Good hair day by @bareeminimum
Tiger Buzzcut (Slide 3 of 3)
Keep the jungle party going with tiger stripes on your short ‘do.
Good hair day by @tomasbondhair
Clown Buzzcut (Slide 1 of 3)
Clowns will always rear their heads come October. Instead of fear, provoke stares of awe from trick-or-treaters with a portrait of a clown or other villain of choice.
Queen Bee Buzzcut
Embody queen bee vibes by transforming your buzzcut into a captivating blend of warm honey tones. Throw on a yellow and black ensemble, a pair of wings, and top with a crown.
Good hair day by @hairbylunabelle
Romantic Pink Blend
Love is in the air with this Cupid-inspired pink hair color creation. Remember, on Halloween, anything goes, so why not bring the Valentine’s Day feels early?
Good hair day by @bymadisonfrances
Pumpkin Orange
Not only is orange hair one of the hottest hair color trends, but it’s also the ultimate Halloween hue.
Rockstar Neon
Who hasn’t dreamed of being a real-life rockstar at least once? With a blend of neon hair colors, edgy makeup, and black leather pants, you’ll be all set to live out your musical dreams.
Good hair day by @courtlandhair
Ice Queen Platinum
If you want to channel a certain iconic animated ice queen, complete your look with a platinum blonde hair color.
Good hair day by @emily_hair_colorist
Ice Queen Blue
Here’s another way to lean into the ice queen aesthetic: Dye your hair a frosty blue, or wear a wig for a damage-free way to wear the shade..
Good hair day by @chris0712
Fairytale Vivids
Whether you aspire to become a fairy, butterfly, or unicorn, choose a bright hair color, and you can get lost in your own fairytale for the night. A playful statement clip is all you need to polish off the look.
Good hair day by @live_love_dohair
Rich Brunette
Dark brown may sound basic, but the shade is fit for royalty! In fact, two of the most iconic duchesses in the world have dark brown hair. Pop on a crown or a jeweled headpiece to bring out your inner princess this Halloween.
Good hair day by @hairbylunabelle
Mermaid
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a mermaid, you can be part of that world for the night with mermaid-inspired hair color. There are a number of ways to get the look, including balayage, ombre, and color melting. Your colorist can help you pick the right technique for you. Then, ask them for holographic highlights or hair tinsel to take your look to the next level.
Good hair day by @bombhairbybrooklyn
Old Hollywood Blonde
Sure, you can sport vintage hairstyles any day of the year, but if they don’t fit your everyday aesthetic, then Halloween is just the right occasion for one. If you have a pixie cut, you can rock a retro glam look with light blonde hair and pin curls.
Good hair day by @mslameylynnhair
Rainbow Balayage
If you’ve desperately wanted to try a rainbow hair look, Halloween is your chance to finally do it. You won’t need a full-on, flashy costume for this look—let your colorful balayage hair be the star of the show!
Good hair day by @colorbygemma and @sarahthehairnerd
Unicorn Highlights
Unicorns are the epitome of magic. Infuse some of their whimsy into your own mane with pastel rainbow highlights. You can jump on the chunky highlights trend as shown here, or go more subtle with light streaks sprinkled throughout your strands.
Good hair day by @pati.rodrigz and @melissashairartistry
Peekaboo Rainbow
Try rainbow peekaboo hair color instead of an all-over color for something more wearable beyond Halloween. If you part your hair a certain way, the colors will peek out through the undersides of your hair. And when you want a more natural look, your rainbow can be easily tucked away.
Good hair day by @heartandsoulhairartistry
Half-And-Half Color
Show off two sides of your personality this year with half and half hair color. Whether you opt for something dark and sultry or vivid and bright, there are so many ways to match half-and-half looks to your costume.
Good hair day by @francescaverteramolab
Venomous Supervillain
Feeling toxic this Halloween? Go as one of the most notorious supervillains in history (and one of the most replicated for Halloween). If your all-green, nature-inspired ensemble is already laid out, you’ll need bright red hair color to complete your look.
Good hair day by @curls.by.lailee
Bewitched Purple
You’ve decided to channel your inner gothic diva and dress up as a witch this year. Now you’re searching, “What does witch hair look like?” and the options are a little more grim than you had hoped. Make dark purple your new statement color—you’ll want to wear it long after the festivities have ended.
The Best Halloween Hairstyles to Try Now
Good hair day by @iddle_bitt
Pirate
Tiny braids, gold beads, a bright bandana, and a beachy texture are keys to creating a last-minute pirate look. Scrunch your hair with a golf-ball size of Matrix’s Setter Mousse for that lost-at-sea touch.
Good hair day by @coloredbycanyon
Creepy Crawly Clips
Festive clips are a low-effort way to show some Halloween spirit if you’re heading into the office or staying home to meet trick-or-treaters. Jazz up your hair with loose waves, and you’re ready to take on the night.
Good hair day by @kurlsandkutsbyken
Glitter
A few spritzes of glitter spray can add some flair to your Halloween hair. Apply it throughout your strands for all-over shimmer, or use the glitterage technique for a more uniform look.
Good hair day by @honeyhairandco_
Galaxy Girl
Metallic makeup and a futuristic outfit are must-haves for any alien costume, but space buns can take your look to the next level. Have some fun with them by adding in braids for a unique finish.
Good hair day by @curly.azahara
Messy Fairycore Updo
You’ll want to tinker around with this curly updo if a certain green fairy is on your costume radar this year. Refresh your curls after a long night of mischief with a spray like L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Curls Reviver Spray.
Good hair day by @thelovelyhairclass
Dream Doll Ponytail
2023 was the year of the dream doll aesthetic, and that trend extended to our hair. Super voluminous, ultra-feminine styles characterize dream doll hair. Think: Free-flowing strands, teased half-up, half-down looks, and flippy ponytails like the one above.
Goth Girl
This signature braided pigtail hairstyle is so easy, you can pull it off in a *snap snap*. Peep the tutorial above to get this iconic Halloween hair idea just right.
Good hair day by @liddle_bitt
Goth Girl
Have a set of clip-in bangs handy? Use it to put a new twist on the iconic braided pigtail hairstyle seen on everyone’s favorite goth gal. It’s so easy, some may even say you can pull it off in a *snap snap*.
Schoolgirl
Simplify your braided pigtails even further with a pared-down two-strand twist. If you woke up this morning without a costume, throw on a button-up and a plaid skirt and call yourself a schoolgirl. Class is in session.
Good hair day by @_looksbylexie_
Spiderweb Undercut
A spindly surprise awaits beneath these unsuspecting layers of hair! Gather your hair into a ponytail and feel the envious stares of other Halloween-goers creep up your neck.
Good hair day by @philipwolffhair
Boy Band Member
Use Halloween as an excuse to give boy band hair a spin. No matter which group you swooned over, it’s highly likely that at least one member used to sport this iconic shaggy cut. The styling options are also a breeze to recreate for your costume. Learn three different styling techniques from Matrix global educator and hairstylist Philip Wolff in the above tutorial.
Good hair day by @alexthaohair
Y2K
Nothing screams Y2K hair quite like butterfly clips, and they work for various hair textures. Top off flat twists at the crown of your head with these teeny clasps or sprinkle throughout box braids—there’s no placement that’s off-limits. Slip on some low-rise jeans and the teeniest crop top you can find, then you’re ready to blast off into the early 2000s.
Good hair day by @jasminele
’90s Popstar
Spike up your life with this spikey bun, reminiscent of a legendary UK girl group. Follow content creator Jasmine Le’s tutorial above and lock in your look with Matrix’s Vavoom Freezing Spray Extra Full.
’80s Rocker
Two things for sure—‘80s fashion and hair were memorable. A curly perm is all you need to pull off the above rocker style—and some edgy leather, of course. (This may be your excuse to try a digital perm!)
’70s Hippie
There’s a good reason why hippie costumes are tried-and-true favorites: The hairstyling options are endless. Flower crowns, braided headbands, and loose boho plaits are just a few beloved styles.
’60s Flipped Ends
A quick flick through any fashion magazine in the 1960s would reveal plenty of models sporting the famous mod-era hair flip. Go as extreme as you want with it because that’s part of the fun!
Good hair day by @sumans.waves
Disco Curls
Retro ‘70s hairstyles like disco curls are all the rage right now. Halloween or not, this bombshell look will have you ready to dance the night away.
Good hair day by @hairbybradleyleake
Ballerina Bun
If you needed another excuse to wear your signature slicked-back style, a ballerina costume is it.
Flapper
Old Hollywood finger waves are essential to channel your inner flapper for a roaring ‘20s soiree. This Halloween hair idea is especially easy to pull off if you have short hair.
Good hair day by @marielodiandreakos
Rom-com
Rom-coms were basically gospel for finding hair and fashion inspo back in the day. Choose your favorite heroine and go all out.
Good hair day by @miggyhair
Cupid’s Bow Buzzcut
You can also exude a lovestruck vibe by opting for a Cupid design on your buzzcut.
Good hair day by @bun.headd
Fast Food Queen
Halloween is the one day of the year you can get wild with your hair without raising any eyebrows. If you’re a fast foodie, pay homage to your favorite drive-through order with fun clip-on accessories like nuggets and fries.
Good hair day by @themorganbrackhair
Christmas Elf
Can’t wait another moment for Christmas? Break out the holiday bells and whistles for Halloween instead.
Interested in trying one of these Halloween hair ideas? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you and discover more trending content on Hair.com.
Biolage Professional Earl Grey Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a light silver tone to light bases with this vegan temporary color-depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner
Create warm, cinnamon tones with this vegan temporary color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Chai Tea Color Depositing Conditioner
Create ashy tones with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Red Poppy Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a cool red luster and dimension with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Saffron Red Color Depositing Conditioner
Add bold copper tones to light brown and warm red hair with this temporary vegan color depositing conditioner.
Biolage Professional Lavender Color Depositing Conditioner
Add a temporary violet tone with this vegan color depositing conditioner.
