The ever-iconic Wednesday Addams has been haunting our screens (and our hearts) from the black-and-white era to today’s streaming platforms. In Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, Jenna Ortega’s realistic and edgier portrayal of the character made it relatable to the modern audience. Since the show premiered, her soft goth makeup has become an in-demand Halloween look every year. If you’re hunting for a trick-or-treat look that doesn’t require a trip to the craft store or a séance-level makeup kit, this guide’s for you. Below, we’ll break down how to nail the Wednesday Addams makeup with easy steps and a few glam tricks that’ll have you looking spooky-chic all night long.
Wednesday Addams Makeup for Halloween
Even if you’ve never watched an episode of Wednesday, you know the look features velvety skin, smoky eyes, and blood-tinted lips. Now, let’s recreate the Wednesday Addams makeup look, from her porcelain complexion to that perfectly brooding gaze.
Step 1: Build a pale and even base
Wednesday’s complexion looks like it hasn’t seen sunlight since 2015, but it never looks flat or dry. To achieve the same balance of pale and natural color, start with a primer to keep the shine under control. Then apply a matte or satin foundation that matches your real skin tone and blend it in with a sponge until the finish looks soft and even.
Tip: Overpowdering can slightly gray out foundation, which kills that “alive but pale” tone you want for a Wednesday Addams Halloween look.
Step 2: Create her signature gaze
Her eye makeup always looks shadowed, like she stayed up late reading or plotting something, yet it never looks heavy. The dark pigment sits close to the lashes and fades gently upward, which creates an intense gaze. To recreate her eye makeup, sweep a cool brown or taupe shadow into the crease. Then, smudge a black or deep brown pencil along the lash line and blend it out for a smoky effect. Add a little of the same liner under the lower lashes and finish with one or two coats of mascara.
Tip: Skip the falsies! We all know Wednesday wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them.
Step 3: Shape with soft shadows
Wednesday’s cheekbones look sculpted by light and shadow rather than strong contour lines. To recreate this natural contour effect, use a small brush and a cool-toned powder under the cheekbones and along the jawline. Blend until the shadows look natural. If your face looks too flat, add the faintest touch of muted rose blush high on the cheeks and add just enough product to bring a hint of life back to the skin.
Tip: Blend in small circles until the shadow fades naturally. Nothing ruins a mysterious look faster than harsh lines.
Step 4: Define the dark lip
Wednesday’s lip color falls somewhere between plum and berry, and it never looks overdone. To mirror that soft focus pout, outline the lips with a dark berry pencil and smudge the line slightly toward the center. Fill in the center with a matching lipstick or tinted balm, then press your lips together to blend the color evenly.
Tip: Pick a matte lipstick as gloss is for the optimists.
Step 5: Lock it in till midnight
Wednesday’s look never slips or fades even when everything around her is chaos, so your makeup should stay intact, too. To keep the glam long-lasting, press a little powder over areas that crease easily, then mist your face with a long-wear setting spray. Also, keep a lip pencil and balm in your bag in case you need quick touch-ups.
Tip: Set the makeup and avoid touching your face. The less you fuss, the longer the products last.
Makeup Made for Mischief
This Wednesday Addams makeup is the perfect answer for parties where you don’t want to go over-the-top but still want to nail the Halloween vibe. To fully channel her energy, just throw on a black dress or sweater, and you're all set.
What other delightfully dreadful DIYs are you crafting for Halloween? Tell us what you want DIYprojects.com to feature next!
FAQs
1. Can I pull the Wednesday Addams makeup off if I’m not pale?
Absolutely. Just use your regular foundation and focus on the smoky eyes and dark lip as the contrast sells the look more than the skin tone.
2. How long does this makeup take?
About 15 minutes from start to finish. The Wednesday Addams makeup look is designed for last-minute Halloween plans or after-work transformations.
3. What if I don’t own dark lipstick?
Smudge a berry or plum lip pencil all over and top with tinted balm. The blurred finish looks more authentic than a full-coverage lipstick anyway.
