Every little girl wants to grow up to be a mermaid. Now you can make all your childhood dreams come true with just a splash of makeup.
With a quick scroll of the Instagram feed, you'll see that #MermaidMakeup is all the rage as Halloween approaches. But what your favorite Insta-bloggers may not be telling you is how flippin' easy it is to master this makeup tutorial — as long as you've got a spare pair of fishnets on hand.
Finally, you can bring your mermaid dreams to life in way less time than it takes to shop for Halloween costumes online.
1. Begin by placing fishnet pantyhose or a wig cap over your face
You will look like the ugliest version of yourself during this step. It's worth it, I promise.
2. Start creating the mermaid scales
Using a sponge or your fingertips, tap a blue cream shadow like Maybelline ColorTattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Tenacious Teal at your temples, forehead and tops of your cheekbones. (Maybelline, $7)
3. Give the scales an ombré effect
Next, take a green cream shadow like Maybelline ColorTattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Edgy Emerald, and apply below your blue areas, moving closer to the center of your face. (Maybelline, $7)
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4. Highlight the scales with silver cream eyeshadow
Using a silver cream shadow like Maybelline ColorTattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Silver Strike, tap on top of the high points of your face as highlights. (Maybelline, $7)
5. Remove the fishnets to reveal your makeup mermaid scales
Now, the fun part! Remove the fishnet, and see the scales you've created!
6. Apply blue cream eyeshadow
Using the same blue cream shadow and a synthetic brush or fingers, apply to the entire lid. Elongate the shape at the outer corners if you wish.
Next up: Make sure you blend the shadow
7. Make sure you blend the shadow
Using a synthetic crease brush, blend out the top edge.
8. Line under your lower lashes
Using a metallic teal eyeliner like Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Deep End, line your lower lash line, and extend beyond the outer corner. (Urban Decay, $20)
More: 12 women way sexier than the sexy Halloween costumes they inspire
9. Line the rim of your lashes with a different shade
Use a mint green or aqua liner to line your waterline. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Turquoise is my favorite! (Stila, $22)
10. Make sure you extend the line beyond your eye
Extend the line beyond the outer corner, below the teal line.
11. Seal your eye makeup with glitter adhesive
Dip your finger into glitter adhesive and loose blue glitter. Press onto the lid.
12. Add some glitter eyeliner for extra sparkle
Using a silver glitter liner, apply to the top lash line.
Next up: Finish your mermaid eyes with mascara
13. Finish your mermaid eyes with mascara
Apply mascara to your top and bottom lashes. I'm liking L'Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga. (L'Oreal, $8)
14. Add glitter to your brows, because why not?
For an extra touch, apply loose silver glitter to brows.
15. Apply false lashes (optional)
You can apply false lashes or simply some feather accents to the corners.
16. Start creating your mermaid lips
Line lips with the teal eyeliner, leaving the center open.
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17. Give them an ombré effect
Take the mint green liner, and fill in the center of the lips, creating an aqua ombré.
18. Yes, more glitter
Highlight your cupid's bow with the silver liquid liner.
19. Apply even more glitter
Press loose silver glitter onto the center of your bottom lip for extra dimension.
Now swim off, and have a happy Halloween!
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Originally published October 2014. Updated October 2016.