Clown Makeup Ideas: Unique Looks to Try This Year 🤡

Clown makeup ideas range from whimsical and cheerful to eerie and sinister, allowing for a variety of creative expressions. For a classic clown look, bright white face paint serves as the base, accented with exaggerated red lips, bold arched eyebrows, and a red nose. Add colorful designs like diamonds or teardrops around the eyes to enhance the playful vibe. Suppose you’re aiming for a glamorous take. In that case, you can use glitter, rhinestones, and shimmery eye shadows, pairing them with sleek eyeliner and bold lipstick in unconventional shades like purple or metallic hues.

On the spooky side, creepy clown makeup often incorporates darker tones, smudged lines, and exaggerated features, such as oversized grins or hollowed-out eyes, to create a haunting effect. You can experiment with elements like dripping paint, sharp angular patterns, or a cracked porcelain effect for added drama. Whether fun, glamorous, or scary, clown makeup offers endless opportunities to showcase your artistic flair.

Clown Makeup Ideas

Here’s a massive list of over 100 clown makeup ideas, ranging from classic and whimsical to creepy and avant-garde.

Classic Clown Makeup Ideas

1. Whiteface Clown with bold red lips and blue eyeshadow
2. Auguste Clown with exaggerated features and pink cheeks
3. Pierrot-inspired sad clown with a single teardrop
4. Harlequin clown with a diamond-patterned mask
5. Mime-inspired clown with sharp black and white lines
6. Rainbow clown with multicolored eyebrows and lips
7. Circus Ringmaster clown with a mustache and top hat
8. Polka-dot clown with matching polka-dot accessories
9. Old-fashioned hobo clown with a scruffy beard
10. Smiling clown with oversized lips

Whimsical and Colorful Ideas

11. Pastel rainbow clown with soft tones
12. Glitter-covered clown with sparkly cheeks and eyes
13. Candy-themed clown with lollipop designs
14. Bubblegum clown with pink and blue accents
15. Cloud clown with fluffy white eyebrows
16. Neon clown with UV-reactive paint
17. Starry night clown with galaxy-themed designs
18. Flower garden clown with floral patterns
19. Butterfly-themed clown with wing-like eyes
20. Confetti clown with colorful speckles

Creepy and Horror-Inspired Ideas

21. Evil circus clown with jagged teeth
22. Zombie clown with decaying features
23. Bloody clown with drips of red paint
24. Pennywise-inspired clown with glowing yellow eyes
25. Possessed clown with blacked-out eyes
26. Skull clown with skeletal details
27. Creepy doll clown with cracked skin effects
28. Shadow clown with dark, smokey patterns
29. Jester clown with sharp, angular designs
30. Vampire clown with fangs

Fantasy and Mythical Ideas

31. Unicorn clown with a horn and pastel colors
32. Fairy clown with wings and glitter freckles
33. Mermaid clown with scales and oceanic colors
34. Dragon clown with fiery details
35. Elf clown with pointed ears and natural tones
36. Alien clown with futuristic metallic colors
37. Angel clown with a halo and soft gold tones
38. Demon clown with fiery reds and horns
39. Witch clown with a crescent moon motif
40. Ghost clown with translucent white paint

Animal-Inspired Clown Makeup

41. Cat clown with whiskers and ears
42. Fox clown with orange and white patterns
43. Zebra clown with black and white stripes
44. Leopard clown with golden spots
45. Butterfly clown with colorful wings
46. Peacock clown with feather details
47. Panda clown with black and white circles
48. Bee clown with yellow and black stripes
49. Fish clown with scales and fins
50. Snake clown with a forked tongue

Geometric and Modern Designs

51. Checkerboard clown with black-and-white patterns
52. Cubist clown with sharp, angular shapes
53. Pop art clown with bold dots and lines
54. Abstract clown with freeform patterns
55. Optical illusion clown with swirling designs
56. Split-face clown with half human, half clown
57. Pixelated clown for a digital look
58. Grid-patterned clown with neon highlights
59. Futuristic robot clown with metallic tones
60. Kaleidoscope clown with fractal effects

Holiday-Themed Clown Makeup

61. Christmas clown with candy cane stripes
62. Valentine’s Day clown with heart motifs
63. Halloween pumpkin clown with orange and black
64. Easter bunny clown with pastel ears
65. Fourth of July clown with stars and stripes
66. St. Patrick’s Day clown with clover patterns
67. Snowman clown with frosty white and blue tones
68. New Year’s Eve clown with gold and silver
69. Day of the Dead clown with sugar skull designs
70. Birthday clown with balloon motifs

Vintage and Retro Looks

71. Silent film clown in black and white
72. 1920s flapper clown with art deco details
73. 1980s neon clown with bold colors
74. Victorian clown with lace details
75. 1970s disco clown with glitter and sequins
76. Steampunk clown with gears and metallic accents
77. 1950s rockabilly clown with a pompadour
78. Medieval jester clown with bells
79. Gothic lolita clown with dark frills
80. Punk rock clown with spiked hair

Unique and Creative Ideas

81. Graffiti clown with spray paint effects
82. Comic book clown with bold black outlines
83. Clockwork clown with gear patterns
84. Nature clown with leaves and vines
85. Carnival clown with a Ferris wheel design
86. Watercolor clown with soft, blended colors
87. Minimalist clown with simple lines and shapes
88. Ice cream cone clown with melting details
89. Glow-in-the-dark clown with phosphorescent paint
90. Moon-themed clown with crescent shapes

Cultural-Inspired Clown Makeup

91. Japanese Kabuki clown with dramatic lines
92. Mardi Gras clown with purple, green, and gold
93. Masquerade clown with elegant masks
94. Bollywood clown with intricate patterns
95. Tribal clown with bold, symbolic designs
96. Venetian clown with ornate details
97. Mexican carnival clown with bright colors
98. Chinese opera clown with traditional shapes
99. African mask clown with vibrant tones
100. Scandinavian folklore clown with soft colors

Dark Fantasy and Villainous Clowns

101. Mad scientist clown with goggles and wild hair
102. Pirate clown with a skull-and-crossbones motif
103. Cursed clown with broken mirror effects
104. Haunted carnival clown with ghostly hues
105. Joker-inspired clown with a sinister grin
106. Ringmaster villain clown with fire details
107. Gothic vampire clown with deep reds and blacks
108. Werewolf clown with fur-like textures
109. Shadow realm clown with glowing accents
110. Devilish trickster clown with a tail

How to apply Clown Makeup

Applying clown makeup can be a fun and creative process, whether you’re doing it for a performance, a costume, or just for fun. Here’s a step-by-step guide in great detail to help you create a professional clown look:

Materials Needed:

• Face primer or moisturizer
• White clown makeup (cream or grease paint)
• Colored clown makeup (red, black, and other bright colors)
• Setting powder or translucent powder
• Makeup sponges
• Makeup brushes (various sizes for detailing)
• Eyeliner pencil (black and/or white)
• Lip liner (red or other colors depending on your design)
• Makeup remover wipes
• Setting spray (optional)
• Small bowl of water (optional, for sponge dampening)

Step 1: Prepare Your Skin

1. Cleanse your face to remove oil, dirt, or old makeup. Use a gentle facial cleanser.
2. Apply a moisturizer or face primer to hydrate your skin and create a smooth base for the makeup. This step helps prevent irritation and makes makeup application smoother.
3. Let the primer or moisturizer dry completely before starting.

Step 2: Apply the Base (White Makeup)

1. Use a clean makeup sponge to pick up the white clown makeup. You can dampen the sponge slightly for easier blending.
2. Apply the white makeup evenly across your face, covering every area you want white. Start from the center of your face and work outward (forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin). Avoid the areas around your eyes if you’re using different colors there.
3. Blend the makeup well to avoid streaks or patchiness. Pat the makeup in with the sponge for even coverage.
4. Don’t forget your ears, neck, and any other visible areas for a consistent look.
5. Once the white base is applied, use setting powder to set the makeup. Use a fluffy brush to dust the powder over your face lightly. This step prevents smudging and helps the makeup last longer.

Step 3: Define the Features (Eyes, Eyebrows, Nose, and Mouth)

Eyes

1. Use a black eyeliner pencil to outline the shape around your eyes (e.g., teardrop shapes, exaggerated ovals, or sharp triangles).
2. Fill in the outlined areas with black or other bold-colored clown makeup using a brush or small sponge.
3. If desired, add designs like stars, spirals, or extra lines around the eyes for a unique look.
4. Apply white eyeliner on your waterline to make your eyes look larger and more dramatic.

Eyebrows

1. Use a black eyeliner pencil or brush to draw exaggerated or arched eyebrows above your natural brows.
2. You can make them straight, curved, or angular, depending on the clown persona you’re creating (e.g., happy, sad, mischievous).
3. Fill in the drawn brows with black or a bold color using a fine brush.

Nose

1. Outline a circle or oval shape on the tip of your nose with red clown makeup or lip liner.
2. Fill in the shape with red makeup using a small brush or sponge.
3. Set it with translucent powder to prevent smudging.

Mouth

1. Outline your desired mouth shape with a red lip liner. You can extend the corners outward for a larger, exaggerated smile or downward for a sad clown look.
2. Fill in the shape with red clown makeup or lipstick.
3. Use a fine brush to add black or white accents (e.g., lines or shading) for extra detail and depth.

Step 4: Add Additional Designs (Optional)

• Use brushes and other colored makeup to add details like stars, swirls, hearts, or patterns to your cheeks, forehead, or chin.
• Highlight features with white makeup for added dimension, such as lines above your brows or on the edges of your mouth.
• Use glitter or rhinestones for a glam or circus-themed clown look.

Step 5: Final Touches

1. Check your makeup for any smudges or uneven areas and touch them up as needed.
2. Use setting spray to lock the makeup in place for long-lasting wear.
3. Put on your clown costume, wig, and any accessories to complete the look.

Tips for a Professional Finish:

• Layer Slowly: Apply makeup in thin layers for a smoother, more even finish.
• Use Quality Makeup: Professional clown makeup (like Ben Nye or Mehron) lasts longer and is more pigmented than regular face paint.
• Clean Tools: Use clean sponges and brushes to prevent contamination and ensure smooth application.
• Practice Your Design: If you’re creating a detailed or custom look, practice beforehand to perfect your design.

Removal

1. Use makeup remover wipes or oil-based makeup remover to gently dissolve the makeup.
2. Wash your face with a cleanser to remove any residue.
3. Moisturize your skin to rehydrate after makeup removal.