20 Halloween Hairstyles for the Most Iconic Halloween Characters
Whether you're going trick-or-treating, attending a Halloween work party, or getting ready for a costume party with friends, you want to look your absolute best.
While the costume often gets all the attention, the right hairstyle can completely transform your look. A simple change in your hair can make your costume more realistic, polished, and photo-worthy without spending a fortune.
To help you get Halloween-ready, here are twenty easy hairstyles that perfectly complement some of the most popular Halloween costumes.
1. Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
Hairstyle: French Braid
Lara Croft's signature French braid is both practical and instantly recognizable, making it the perfect hairstyle for a Tomb Raider-inspired Halloween costume. Pair it with a fitted tank top, cargo pants, and combat boots to complete the adventurous look. This hairstyle works especially well on long black or brown hair and can be recreated in just a few minutes.
Who doesn't know Lara Croft? As one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, she became even more recognizable when Angelina Jolie brought the fearless adventurer to life on the big screen. If you're looking for a strong, adventurous Halloween costume that's easy to put together, Lara Croft is a timeless choice.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Hair tie
Texturizing spray (optional)
2. Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad)
Hairstyle: High Pigtails
Harley Quinn's playful high pigtails are one of the most iconic Halloween hairstyles and instantly recognizable. Curl the ends slightly and add temporary pink and blue hair color to recreate her classic Suicide Squad look.
I remember watching Birds of Prey and immediately falling in love with Harley Quinn's character. She's a little chaotic and completely unpredictable, but that's exactly what makes her so fun and lovable. Her bold personality, colorful style, and fearless attitude make her one of my favorite Halloween costume inspirations. Her character is timeless and iconic.
You'll need:
Hair ties
Temporary hair color spray
Curling iron
Hairspray
3. Barbie
Hairstyle: High Ponytail with Soft Waves
Barbie remains one of the most popular Halloween costumes year after year. A sleek high ponytail with soft, bouncy curls instantly creates her signature glamorous look. Pair it with pink makeup, a stylish outfit, and a confident smile to complete the transformation.
If you're feeling a little girly this Halloween, Barbie is a fun and timeless costume that's easy to recreate. Whether you choose classic Barbie or a modern version inspired by the movie, it's a look that's guaranteed to stand out.
You'll need:
Hair extensions (optional)
Curling iron
Shine spray
Pink ribbon or scrunchie
4. Wednesday Addams
Hairstyle: Classic Double Braids
Nothing says Wednesday Addams like two perfectly even braids with a center part. Keep your hair sleek, smooth, and neatly braided to capture her signature gothic style. Pair the hairstyle with a black dress and a deadpan expression to complete the iconic look.
Wednesday is one of my favorite characters because she's fearless, intelligent, and unapologetically herself. She doesn't care what other people think, making her a great reminder to embrace your individuality with confidence.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Hair ties
Smoothing serum
Black ribbon (optional)
5. Witch
Hairstyle: Messy Beach Waves
Whether you're going for a glamorous witch or a spooky forest witch, loose textured waves are the perfect finishing touch. Tease the roots slightly for extra volume.
Being a witch is one of the easiest Halloween costumes to recreate. All you need is a black dress, messy textured hair, and a few makeup products to complete the look. Whether you're attending an office party, a Halloween celebration with friends, or a school event, this classic costume is always a fun and effortless choice.
The best part is that you can customize your look however you like. Go for a glamorous witch with smoky eyes and bold lipstick, a spooky forest witch with earthy tones, or a wicked witch with dramatic green or purple makeup. No matter your style, a witch costume is a timeless Halloween favorite.
You'll need:
Curling wand
Texturizing spray
Dry shampoo
Hair clips
6. Vampire
Hairstyle: Hollywood Glam Waves
Elegant vintage curls pair beautifully with a vampire costume. The polished waves create a mysterious, timeless appearance that's both spooky and sophisticated.
This is one of the more challenging hairstyles to recreate, but the results are well worth the effort. The soft, glamorous waves capture the elegance of Old Hollywood and create a truly timeless look. If you're looking for a character-inspired costume, you can also style straight hair for Bella Swan from Twilight or wear waitress outfit for Sookie Stackhouse from True Blood.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Strong-hold hairspray
Shine serum
Bobby pins
7. Angel
Hairstyle: Soft Loose Curls with a Halo Braid
For an ethereal look, create loose curls and add a braided crown around your head. Finish with a halo headband to complete the heavenly costume.
f you have long hair, style it in loose, flowing waves to create an ethereal, romantic look. Soft waves add elegance and movement, making them the perfect finishing touch for angelic, fantasy-inspired, or Old Hollywood-inspired Halloween costumes.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Hair pins
Flexible hairspray
Halo headband
8. Wonder Woman
Hairstyle: Loose Glamorous Curls
Wonder Woman's signature hairstyle features long, voluminous curls with a center part. This timeless look complements her warrior-inspired costume while adding a touch of elegance. Finish with a gold tiara to complete the iconic superhero look.
You can also style your hair in Victoria's Secret-inspired voluminous curls to complete the look. The soft, bouncy waves add glamour and create an effortlessly ethereal finish that's perfect for angelic, fairy, or Old Hollywood-inspired Halloween costumes.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Heat protectant spray
Flexible-hold hairspray
Gold tiara
9. Catwoman
Hairstyle: Sleek High Ponytail
A sleek, high ponytail perfectly matches Catwoman's fierce and sophisticated style. Smooth away flyaways with styling gel for a polished finish, then pair the look with cat ears or a leather mask.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Hair tie
Styling gel
Strong-hold hairspray
10. Greek Goddess
Hairstyle: Romantic Greek-Inspired Braided Updo
Channel the beauty of ancient Greece with a soft braided updo featuring loose curls around the face. Add a gold leaf headpiece or laurel crown to create an elegant, goddess-inspired hairstyle.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Bobby pins
Hair pins
Gold laurel headband
11. Marilyn Monroe
Hairstyle: Vintage Hollywood Curls
Nothing is more iconic than Marilyn Monroe's glamorous vintage curls. Style your hair into soft, sculpted waves with a deep side part for a timeless Old Hollywood look.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Hair clips
Shine spray
Strong-hold hairspray
12. Devil
Hairstyle: High Ponytail with Sleek Volume
A sleek high ponytail is a simple yet striking hairstyle for a devil costume. Add dramatic makeup, bold red lipstick, and devil horns to create a playful or glamorous Halloween look.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Hair tie
Strong-hold hairspray
Devil horn headband
13. Tinker Bell
Hairstyle: High Messy Bun
Tinker Bell's signature high bun is playful, effortless, and instantly recognizable. Leave a few wispy strands around your face for a soft fairy-inspired finish, then add sparkling accessories to complete the magical look.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Hair tie
Bobby pins
Glitter hairspray (optional)
14. Rose (Titanic)
Hairstyle: Romantic Edwardian Updo
Channel Rose's timeless elegance with a soft Edwardian-inspired updo featuring pinned curls and delicate face-framing tendrils. This romantic hairstyle pairs beautifully with a vintage gown, making it perfect for anyone recreating one of cinema's most iconic characters.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Bobby pins
Hair pins
Flexible-hold hairspray
Decorative hair comb or jeweled clip (optional)
15. Cher Horowitz (Clueless)
Hairstyle: Sleek Blowout with Flipped Ends
Complete your Cher Horowitz costume with a sleek blowout featuring soft volume and flipped ends. This polished hairstyle perfectly captures the fashionable Beverly Hills look from the iconic '90s movie. Pair it with a yellow plaid outfit for an instantly recognizable costume.
You'll need:
Blow dryer
Round brush
Heat protectant spray
Shine serum
16. Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)
Hairstyle: Voluminous Blonde Curls
Elle Woods is known for her glamorous, bouncy blonde curls. Create soft, voluminous curls with plenty of shine to capture her confident and stylish personality. Finish the look with a pink outfit and matching accessories.
You'll need:
Curling iron
Heat protectant spray
Shine spray
Flexible-hold hairspray
17. Pirate
Hairstyle: Messy Beach Waves with Small Braids
Messy beach waves are perfect for a pirate costume, creating an adventurous, windswept look. Add a few small braids and finish with a bandana or pirate hat to complete the costume.
You'll need:
Curling wand
Texturizing spray
Hair ties
Pirate bandana
18. Princess Jasmine
Hairstyle: Low Bubble Ponytail
Princess Jasmine's signature bubble ponytail is one of Disney's most recognizable hairstyles. Use small elastic bands to create the bubble effect, then finish with a jeweled headband for a royal touch.
It's even more adorable if your partner dresses up as Aladdin. Together, you'll have one of Disney's most iconic couples, making your Halloween costumes even more fun and recognizable.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Clear elastic bands
Shine serum
Jeweled headband
19. Britney Spears
Hairstyle: High Pigtails
Recreate Britney Spears' iconic "...Baby One More Time" look with high pigtails and soft face-framing pieces. This playful hairstyle instantly transforms the classic schoolgirl costume into one of the most recognizable pop culture Halloween outfits.
Many people choose to wear a wig to complete the look, and it's often the easiest way to recreate Britney Spears' iconic hairstyles. However, you're not limited to just one version of Britney. You can channel her futuristic red-haired alienlook from the "Oops!... I Did It Again" music video or go for the glamorous black-haired femme fatale aesthetic from "Womanizer." Both looks are instantly recognizable and make fun, creative Halloween costumes.
You'll need:
Hair brush
Hair ties
Curling iron (optional)
Temporary hair ribbons (optional)
20. Cleopatra
Hairstyle: Sleek Bob with Straight Bangs
Cleopatra's signature hairstyle features a sleek, glossy bob with blunt bangs. Pair it with dramatic eyeliner, gold jewelry, and an ornate headpiece for a regal Halloween costume inspired by ancient Egypt.
The bold hairstyle can be difficult to recreate if you don't already have a short black bob. Fortunately, a black bob wig is an easy and affordable way to complete the look while making your costume instantly recognizable.
You'll need:
Flat iron
Heat protectant spray
Shine serum
Gold headpiece
Final Thoughts
The perfect Halloween costume isn't complete without the right hairstyle. Whether you're channeling Barbie's glamorous ponytail, Wednesday Addams' iconic braids, or Harley Quinn's playful pigtails, these hairstyles will help bring your costume to life.
With just a few styling tools and accessories, you can elevate your entire Halloween look and feel confident wherever you're celebrating. Happy Halloween!
