Makeup magic meets the deep blue sea. Whether you’re after sparkle, shimmer, or something moodier, mermaid makeup is one of Halloween’s most creative and playful looks.

Whether you’re helping someone else get ready or creating your own experimental mermaid makeup look, this article on mermaid makeup ideas will undeniably provide plenty of advice and insights to help you on your way. We’ll show you exactly how to create your own Halloween mermaid makeup—from simple mermaid makeup for beginners to bold, showstopping looks that shimmer under any light. You’ll discover step-by-step techniques, themed mermaid makeup looks, and tips for making your look last all night. Whether you’re heading to a party or performing on stage, there’s something here for every sea siren.

Key Points:

• Learn how to apply a smooth base and create scale effects using simple tools.
• Explore Halloween mermaid makeup looks from dark and dramatic to soft and pearly.
• Get product tips and ideas to make your mermaid make up stand out.
• Find easy ways to add glitter, rhinestones, and underwater vibes to your look.
• Discover how to finish and set your makeup for long-lasting wear.

What Is a Mermaid Makeup Look?

Mermaid makeup is a colourful, ocean-inspired style designed to reflect the mythical beauty of mermaids. It’s about shimmer, shine, and fantasy—think iridescent scales, glistening eyes, and sea-toned colours like teal, lavender, and seafoam green.

This look usually focuses on the eyes, using layered eyeshadows, bold liner, and glitter to give a magical effect. Scales are created using fishnets and powder pigments, while pearls, gems, and shimmer are used to decorate the face. 

Whether you’re after a dramatic Halloween mermaid makeup style or a more subtle version, this look is about play and creativity.

1. Prime & Apply Base Makeup

The first step in any long-lasting mermaid make up look is to prep your skin properly. Use a lightweight moisturiser or hydrating cream to give your skin a smooth base. 

Follow this with a primer that grips makeup well—especially important if you’ll be layering on powders and glitter.

Apply a foundation that suits your skin tone. Choose a glowy or dewy finish to keep things light and sea-like. 

Use a damp sponge or foundation brush to blend well. 

Conceal under the eyes and any blemishes with a hydrating concealer that won’t crease or flake throughout the night.

Pro tip: Opt for stage makeup products that promise staying power, especially if you’re wearing your mermaid makeup to a Halloween party or performance.

2. How To Create Fishnet Scales

Scales are one of the standout features of most mermaid makeup looks. To achieve the effect, grab a pair of fishnet tights or a mesh wig cap—something you don’t mind using for makeup.

Place the netting tightly over the area you want to apply scales (cheeks, temples, forehead).

Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush and press colourful powders through the netting. Blues, purples, greens, and pinks work beautifully.

Blend the shades together or use different colours for a rainbow effect.

Gently lift the netting to reveal your shimmering scale pattern.

Only powder products will work here—creams or liquids tend to smudge. Matte blush or bright eyeshadow palettes are ideal for bold scale definition. If you want to go bold with Halloween mermaid makeup, extend the scales to your neck and shoulders.

Try Ben Nye Magicake Aqua Paints for bold, blendable shades perfect for mermaid scales, dramatic eye looks, or full-body fantasy makeup. These water-activated pigments are ideal for both beginners and professionals wanting to create vibrant mermaid makeup looks with ease.

3. Add Metallic and Glittery Eyes

While the scales catch the light, your eyes will steal the show. For most mermaid makeup looks, glittery, wet-look eyes are a must. Start with an eyeshadow primer to stop any creasing, especially if you’re using metallics or liquid eyeshadows.

Choose colours that match or contrast your scale design. Deep aqua, violet, silver, or teal are all popular choices. Apply a metallic eyeshadow across the lid, blending it out towards the crease. To really bring out the shine, layer a duo-chrome or glitter-based shadow on top.

If you want a stronger sparkle, dab glitter eyeshadow onto the centre of your eyelids or below the lower lash line. Just make sure to let all products dry before adding mascara or eyeliner.

Simple mermaid makeup tip: If you’re short on time, skip the scales and just go for glittery eyes and a pop of highlighter—still mermaid, just less fuss.

Read our step-by-step guide on how to apply glitter eyeshadow for tips on product layering, primer use, and safe glitter placement—ideal for building sparkling mermaid eyes that won’t smudge mid-party.

4. Pick Your Lip & Apply

Once your eyes and scales are done, it’s time to think about your lips. A good lip choice pulls the entire mermaid make up look together and can shift the vibe depending on what direction you’re going.

For a glam finish, go bold. Deep berry, plum, or metallic blue lipsticks pair perfectly with dramatic Halloween mermaid makeup. 

Prefer something more playful? 

Try a glossy pink or coral lip for a beachy, just-out-of-the-water glow.

Start with a soft lip liner to shape your lips and create a smooth outline. 

If you’re after a fuller look, go slightly outside your natural lip line. Use a long-wear lipstick for colour that lasts, then top it with a glitter gloss or high-shine finish to keep that oceanic feel.

Tip: We offer a range of professional Ben Nye lip products perfect for stage and costume use—ideal if you’re going for bold colour payoff with staying power.

5. Add Pearls, Face Gems, or Rhinestones

No mermaid makeup look is complete without a little extra sparkle. Adding pearls, gems, or rhinestones gives you that magical underwater feel and helps transform a simple mermaid makeup base into something showstopping.

You can apply face gems in clusters around your eyes, temples, or cheeks. Use safe cosmetic adhesive and pick colours that match your overall look—sea green, aqua, lavender, or pearl white work beautifully.

Pearls are another great addition, especially for more whimsical or soft mermaid makeup looks. Apply them in rows or scattered patterns, mixing small and medium sizes for texture.

6. Set It Up

The final step to locking in your mermaid makeup is using a strong setting spray. With all the shimmer, colour, and glitter involved, it’s important to make sure your look stays put.

Wait until everything is dry—this includes your eyeshadow, eyeliner, lashes, and any face decorations. Then, hold your setting spray at arm’s length and mist evenly across your face and neck.

Dive into our hot summer makeup looks for glowing, sea-toned styles that are perfect for festivals, beach days, or poolside photoshoots.

8 Simple Mermaid Makeup Looks

Whether you’re new to costume makeup or short on time, there are lots of simple mermaid makeup ideas that still deliver major impact. These Halloween mermaid makeup styles focus on specific colours, features, or accessories—perfect for a quick transformation that still feels magical.

1. Galactic Mermaid

This look is loud, bright, and completely out of this world. Galactic mermaid makeup features neon tones, duochrome eyeshadows, and bold highlights. Use vibrant eyeshadow pigments in purple, turquoise, and pink, then layer glitter across your cheeks and brow bone.

Pro tip: Add a few star stickers or use fine glitter to mimic a cosmic sky effect. This look is great under blacklight or UV.

2. Starry-Eyed Mermaid

If sparkle is your thing, this one’s for you. Starry-eyed mermaid makeup puts the focus on shimmery purples, glitter lips, and dramatic brows. For a twist, apply blue eyeliner to your lips, then top with glitter gloss to create a wet, high-shine finish.

Use pressed mermaid glitter for safe, long-lasting wear.

3. Lavender Mermaid

This dreamy, one-tone look focuses on layering different shades of purple across your face. Start with a soft violet base and build with deeper tones near the hairline and jaw. Apply scales using a mesh wig cap and add highlighter to your cheekbones and lids.

Keep the lips pale or pastel to stay within the lavender colour scheme.

4. Pearl Mermaid

More soft than sharp, this look is perfect if you want something feminine and floaty. Use soft pinks, whites, and champagne tones, then layer in pearls and shimmer for texture.

To create scales, pull fishnet stockings over your face and use a dense eyeshadow brush with pale pigments. Finish with cream-coloured face gems and a dusting of pearl shimmer.

5. Dark Mermaid

If you want to try a moodier twist on mermaid makeup, the dark mermaid look is a standout. It swaps soft shimmer for shadowy tones, jewel colours, and deep contouring. This version works well for a dramatic Halloween mermaid makeup style or a more gothic sea siren vibe.

Use black or navy eyeshadow to deepen your crease, then add emerald or plum over the lid. Layer scales across the temples, neck, and collarbone using mesh and deep-toned powders. Finish with a berry or black lip and silver face gems to keep the look bold but sea-inspired.

Check out our guide on how to do smokey eye makeup to perfect the classic smudged look

6. Classic Mermaid

Classic mermaid make up is all about soft blues, greens, and sea shimmer. It’s one of the most popular mermaid makeup looks, often inspired by storybook characters or underwater fantasy.

To start, create a clean base with foundation and concealer. Use a blue-toned eyeshadow like Tahitian Teal Pearl Sheen Shadow 0.6oz and press a layer of glitter shadow over the top for sparkle. Apply black winged eyeliner and use fishnet as a stencil for a light scale effect on the cheeks.

Finish the look with a purple or turquoise lipstick, and highlight high points of the face to glow like sunlight on water.

7. Shimmery Mermaid

This look is soft, radiant, and relies heavily on glow. Great for anyone looking for a simple mermaid makeup style that still shines under the lights.

Choose pastel or oceanic shimmer shadows and blend them across the lids and temples. Focus on highlighter to create a reflective finish on your cheekbones, nose, and brows. For lips, go with glosses or light coral shades to balance the sparkle.

8. Neon Mermaid

Neon mermaid makeup is a fun, modern twist perfect for parties, raves, or bold Halloween looks. Use vivid eyeshadows like neon pink, green, or electric blue to build your eye look. Line your eyes with a bright liner and add a pop of neon glitter across the lid.

Pair the bold colours with a glossy neon lip and keep your skin fresh with lightweight base makeup. For extra punch, add colourful face gems or temporary hair spray in matching tones.

6 Pro Tips to Nail Your Mermaid Makeup Look

1. Apply false lashes for a bold, fluttery finish.
2. Use stick-on pearls or gems for sea-inspired detail.
3. Accessorise with seashell clips, earrings, or headbands.
4. Paint your shoulders or chest with scales to extend the look.
5. Style your hair in beachy waves or add clip-in extensions in sea tones.
6. Complete your costume with a fishtail skirt or mermaid-themed outfit.

Create Mesmerising Mermaid Makeup for Halloween

In conclusion, mermaid makeup is a fun and imaginative way to get creative for Halloween. Whether you’re drawn to soft shimmer, bold neon, or a dark, moody sea siren look, there’s a mermaid makeup style for everyone. From fishnet-scale techniques to glittery eyes and glossy lips, these looks let you play with colour, sparkle, and character. With the right products and a little practice, you’ll be ready to bring your own underwater fantasy to life.

Explore The History of Mermaids to discover how these legendary sea creatures inspired everything from folklore to fashion—and why they continue to influence fantasy makeup looks today

FAQs

How long does mermaid makeup usually take to apply?

It depends on how detailed the look is. A simple mermaid makeup look can take around 30–45 minutes, while more advanced styles with scales, gems, and glitter can take over an hour. Planning ahead and prepping your products in advance can help save time.

Can I do mermaid makeup without using fishnets or scales?

Yes! While fishnet patterns are popular, they’re not required. You can focus on glittery eyes, ocean-toned colours, and shimmer to create a mermaid-inspired look without the scales. It's a great option for beginners or when you're short on time.

Is mermaid makeup suitable for kids or teens?

Absolutely. Mermaid makeup can be easily adapted for younger ages by using lighter colours, face-safe glitter, and avoiding strong adhesives. Stick to gentle products and skip the heavy contouring or sharp eyeliner for a more age-appropriate finish.

Sources

Roslin, K., (2024) The History of Mermaids. [online] Available at: https://www.ripleys.com/stories/mermaid-history [accessed 11/07/2025]