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It was 9:40 on a Friday night, and a client I’d cut once, months ago, texted me a photo. A bag. On the bed. Inside it: fake cobwebs, a can of black spray, three kinds of glitter, and a pack of bobby pins that had clearly been opened and given up on. Underneath she’d typed, “I have a party tomorrow and no idea what to do with all this.”
She came in at 11 the next morning with hair down to the middle of her back. We had forty minutes. By the end of it she had two devil-horn ponytails, a swipe of red spray at the ends, and a look that won her the best costume prize that night. Her message afterwards: “The hair did half the work.” I’ll take that, every time.
That’s why I love hairstyles for halloween party season, and also why it gives me a small headache. Long hair gives you so much to play with. It also gives you so much room to get it wrong. Too much hair, not enough plan, and you end up with a droopy ponytail and a costume that looks unfinished.
So here’s what I’d tell you if you were in my chair. The looks that work on long hair, the tools worth buying, where to buy them without wrecking your budget, and a couple of shortcuts for when the party is tomorrow and you haven’t started.
10 Halloween Party Hairstyles for Long Hair
These are the Halloween party hairstyles for long hair I get asked for most. I’ve put them roughly in order from “I can do this half asleep” to “clear your evening.”
1. Witchy Beach Waves
This is my go-to when somebody says they’re not a hair person. Loose, slightly messy waves, a little grit, nothing perfect. Curl random sections with an iron, break them up with your fingers, then mist some texture spray through. Add a pointy hat, and you’ve got a witch who just walked out of a forest. About twenty minutes, and it works on pretty much every hair type.
2. Vampire Sleek
Dead straight, deep side part, very glossy. It sounds easy, and it isn’t quite. Long hair needs a decent flat iron and a drop of shine serum; otherwise, it reads flat rather than expensive. Add dark lipstick, a high collar, and you’re the most put-together person at the party. I’d bet on it.
3. Devil Horn Ponytails
Two high ponytails, each twisted up into a horn and pinned, then sealed with hairspray. This is the one my client wore. Long hair is perfect for it because you’ve got enough length to wrap and tuck. A red ribbon or a little red spray at the tips finishes it off.
If ponytails are your thing, our 10 perfect ponytail hairstyles have more shapes to borrow from.
4. Cobweb Braids
Take two or three thin braids on one side and weave in a few strands of stretchy fake cobweb or fine silver thread. It’s spooky without being heavy, and it’s one of the quickest hairstyles for Halloween party nights when you’re short on time. Leave the rest loose, and you’re done.
If you want to brush up on braiding first, our braided hairstyles guide walks through the basics.
5. The Monster Bride
Big, teased, dramatic hair with a streak of white or silver running through the front. Backcomb the crown for height, then use a temporary color spray or chalk on the front section. It looks complicated. It’s mostly teasing and patience.
6. Gothic Twin Braids
Two long, tight braids, one on each side, with dark ribbon at the ends. Clean, simple, moody. Long hair holds a braid beautifully, so this one actually survives dancing, which a lot of Halloween styles don’t.
7. Mermaid Siren Waves
Go for a spooky sea-witch spin on mermaid hair. Crimped or wavy lengths, green or blue temporary spray at the ends, a bit of shimmer. A few fake pearls or shell pins tucked in and you’re done.
8. Zombie Chic
A good zombie look is chaos on purpose. Backcomb sections, rub a little dry shampoo through for texture, add a twig or two if you’re feeling brave, and let some pieces fall in your face. Messier is better, for once.
9. Spooky Halo Braid
A braided crown with a few loose pieces left out. Tuck in small black roses or dried flowers for a dark-fairy feel. It looks like a lot of work, but a couple of Dutch braids pinned across the head do most of it.
10. Half-Up Ghost Glow
A sleek half-up with a pale silver or white temporary spray through the lengths. Soft, eerie, easy to wash out. Add a sheer veil if the costume suits it. If you love the pale-root idea, our ghost roots color guide shows the permanent version.
Easy Halloween Hairstyles for Short Hair
If you’re reading this with a bob, don’t panic. The same ideas shrink down nicely. For easy Halloween hairstyles for short hair, I usually go for a messy backcomb, a slicked-back vampire look with a bit of gel, or a colour streak from a temporary spray. Clip-in extensions let you try the long looks without cutting a thing. One small thing: short hair actually holds teasing better than long hair, so don’t be shy.
If you’ve got a fringe, our curtain bangs guide has styling ideas you can pull into a costume too.
Hair Styling Tools for Elaborate Halloween Looks
If you’re going big, a few tools make all the difference. You don’t need everything in the shop. I keep a curling iron or wand for waves that hold, a flat iron for vampire sleek and pressing out kinks, a crimper for sea-witch texture, a teasing comb, a pile of bobby pins, and a strong hairspray that actually survives a dance floor. That’s it.
These are the hair styling tools for elaborate Halloween looks that live in my own kit. If you want professional salon tools recommendations, look for ceramic or tourmaline plates on your irons and adjustable heat settings, so you can turn it down for finer hair.
Top-Rated Hair Styling Kits for Halloween Party Looks
A boxed kit is a decent shortcut if you don’t want to buy things one at a time. The best hair styling kits for Halloween party looks usually bundle clips, pins, a teasing comb, and sometimes a couple of temporary colour sticks. Look for one with a fine-tailed comb, because that’s the piece you’ll reach for most.
I can’t tell you which kit is top-rated this week, because reviews move every season. What I can tell you is what to look for: real buyer ratings, photos from people actually using it, and a return policy in case it turns up broken.
Temporary Hair Color Spray for Halloween
Temporary hair color spray for Halloween is the fastest way to change a whole look. A quick pass of white and you’re a ghost. A touch of red at the tips and you’re a devil. Spray in a ventilated room, drape something over your shoulders, and test a small section first. It’s meant to wash out with shampoo, but very pale or bleached hair can hang on to colour, so be careful if that’s you.
When the party’s over, be kind to your hair. Our best shampoo for hair health guide has picks that clean without stripping.
Spooky Hair Accessories for a Party
Sometimes the accessory does all the talking. Spooky hair accessories for a party can turn a simple style into a full costume. I love black lace ribbons, tiny plastic spiders, faux flowers, mini witch hats on clips, and little LED hair lights if you want to glow in the dark. Pin them in with extra bobby pins, because they love to slide out halfway through the night.
Where to Buy Styling Products (Without Overspending)
This is the question I get asked most, so here’s the honest version. For a one-night look, you don’t need salon prices. Mix and match from a few places and you’ll be fine.
Beauty supply stores and drugstores are best for tools, hairspray, texture spray, and bobby pins. Seasonal Halloween shops and party stores are where you’ll find temporary colour sprays, hair chalks, fake cobwebs and costume accessories. Online marketplaces are handy for kits and accessories, but order early so shipping doesn’t wreck your weekend. And discount stores are surprisingly good for pins, ribbons and cheap accessories.
If you want affordable Halloween party hairstyles that still look polished, spend on the one thing that matters, usually a good hairspray or a heat tool, and save on everything else. Prices and stock change fast in the last week before Halloween, so check what’s actually available near you before building a look around one product.
Easy Halloween Party Hairstyles Tutorial Videos
If you learn better by watching, tutorial videos are the best way to practice. Search the style name plus “tutorial” on YouTube or TikTok, and look for creators using tools and popular haircare brands you can actually find locally. Watch two or three, not just one. Everyone has a slightly different method, and you’ll pick up the parts that suit your hair.
Do one practice run a few days before the party, not the afternoon of. Trust me on that. Every disaster I’ve ever seen came from someone trying a new braid at 6 pm for an 8 pm party.
Which Hair Salons Offer Halloween Party Hairstyle Services Near Me?
I can’t point you to a specific salon without knowing your city, but here’s how to find one fast. Search for hair salons near me with “event styling” or “special occasion hair,” then check their recent photos for anything Halloween-related. Call or message ahead, because a lot of salons book out in October.
Ask three things: do they offer Halloween party hairstyle services, how long it takes, and what it costs. Bring a photo of the look you want, plus any accessories you plan to wear.
Not sure what suits you? Our free AI Hairstyle Simulator lets you upload a selfie and try a few looks first. For more inspiration, our celebrity hair inspiration roundup is worth a scroll.
Aftercare: Don’t Skip This
Hairspray, teasing, chalk and colour spray are fun for one night and rough on hair if you leave them in. Brush out any teasing from the ends first, never from the roots, then shampoo twice and follow with a good conditioner.
If your hair feels dry afterwards, our guides on treating dry, damaged hair and repairing damaged hair naturally are a good place to start.
Ready for Your Halloween Look?
Pick your favourite style from the list, grab the tools you need, and book your salon slot early if you want help. A little planning now saves a lot of panic on the night.
For more hair ideas and styling guides, head over to CuteHairstyles.org and keep browsing. We add new looks all the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Halloween party hairstyles for long hair?
Witchy waves, vampire sleek, devil horn ponytails and spooky braids all work well. Long hair gives you plenty of length to curl, braid, tease and pin.
Where can I buy styling products for Halloween hair?
Beauty supply stores and drugstores are good for tools and hairspray. Seasonal Halloween shops and party stores stock colour sprays, chalks and accessories. Online marketplaces work too if you order early.
Is temporary hair color spray safe for Halloween?
Most are designed to wash out with shampoo, but patch-test first and spray in a ventilated space. Check the label, avoid your scalp and eyes, and take care on very light or bleached hair, which can hold on to colour.
What are easy hairstyles for a Halloween party night if I’m short on time?
Messy waves, a simple half-up with spooky accessories, or two gothic braids take under twenty minutes and need very few tools.
Can I do these hairstyles for a Halloween party with short hair?
Yes. Backcombing, a slicked-back vampire look, a colour spray streak, or clip-in extensions all work on shorter hair.
How far ahead should I book a salon for Halloween hair?
As early as you can, because October is busy. Call a week or two ahead if possible, and bring photos of the look you want.
How do I wash out Halloween hair products?
Brush out any teasing first, then shampoo twice and follow with conditioner. Colour sprays and chalk can take a couple of washes, so go gently and use a nourishing conditioner afterwards.
Final Thoughts
The best hairstyles for Halloween party night aren’t the most complicated ones. They’re the ones you can actually pull off, in the time you have, with the tools you own. Pick one look, practice it once, buy only what you need, and don’t overthink the rest.
My client with the bag of cobwebs and glitter? She went with devil horn ponytails, a bit of red spray and one very good hairspray. First prize. And honestly, the best part was how little she spent.