We’re all a little basic sometimes. And don’t get me wrong, I love a quick costume that I can pick up at a local Forever 21 as much as the next girl. But we all know the costumes that get overdone year after year; the witch, the sexy nurse, the black cats, the angel… they’re just straight-up basic. So how about this year you try something that doesn’t feel outdated or boring? Like a mystical creature from the depths of the sea.

2019 has been the year of the mermaid, so why not channel your inner sea-princess this Halloween?

credit Instagram @peter_garcia8

2019 has been the year of overhyped mermaids. From the wild reactions people had to Halle Bailey playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid’s live action remake announced earlier this year, to the premiere of The Little Mermaid Live! —another remake of the classic Disney film to be broadcasted on live TV. What’s more, mermaids are one of Pinterest’s top costume searches, even in 2019.

So we say, clad yourself in pearls, seashells and glittery scales. You could go modern and sleek, Nicole Kidman-style in Aquaman, or classic and romantic like Disney’s children’s classic. This costume gives you lots of room to let your creativity run wild and make the mystical character your own. 

We wanted to offer some help, so we rounded up our favorite mermaid makeup inspo for you to get planning your Halloween getup:

 Technicolor Barbie doll inspired mermaid.

credit Instagram @wiktoria_makeup

Think 90s Mermaid Barbie doll. No Barbie-inspired makeup look is complete without Barbie Pink and Purple. For this look, beauty blogger, Wiktoria went all out with those Barbie-inspired hues. Iridescent products are key for any mermaid interpretation, so don’t be shy. Bring the color from your cheekbones to the side of your face and brows for a colorful, artful take on the underwater look.

Pearls are a mermaid’s best friend

credit Instagram @Jamescharles

When constructing a sea-themed costume, pearls are a must for a luxe, boujee mermaid look. Case in point: James Charles. And because we’re guessing you’ll be tired after you’re done struggling to glue those pearls on your face, keep the rest of the look natural. Maybe add blue tones to your eyes for an under-the-sea feel, and top it all off with metallic blue lips.

Iridescent scales 

Credit Instagram @miniinaaz

Yes, this looks like you need a certain level of makeup experience and expertise to pull off the technique. But we promise you, it’s a lot easier than it looks. Recreate the look of self-confessed makeup geek, Naz Rahman, by using fishnet stockings. Hold the stocks over your face and dust the iridescent shadows through the holes. Easier than you thought, amirite?

The Little Mermaid with a twist 

credit Instagram @zhilabeauty

…if the fishnet tip is still too much work. Draw the scales with colorful eyeliner. Put those Euphoria-inspired neon liners to good use this Halloween before the fad ends. 

Barely-there mermaid look

credit Instagram @peter_garcia88

This one is for that last minute invite to a Halloween party. If you didn’t have anything planned and need to whip up a costume at the very last minute, we got you covered. Do your everyday look, and brush a bit of pink or blue shadow over fishnet stockings for subtle scales. Stop by a craft store on your way to the party and glue a few pearls over your temples and forehead. Now you’re ready to go trick-or-treating!

The princess of the ocean

credit Instagram @moninamua

I mean… wow. Why no go all out like makeup artist influencer @moninamua? Let that creativity run wild, it’s Halloween! Visit your local craft store and bag some sequins, paper shells, and pearls to recreate this look. 

Simple and Classic

credit Instagram @lonyeamaiden

For a more subtle and classic take on the sea-creature, get yourself a pair of seashells to cover your boobage and keep the hair and makeup natural and beachy. Add a metallic eyeshadow and matching lip for a little bit of a pop —it’s Halloween after all! Don’t keep it too boring, girl.

The artsy take 

credit Instagram @glowbykt

This is for the gals that want a less literal costume. Create a wave-inspired effect across your face and add touches of glitter to evoque a sense of bubbly rippled-water.

Extra Extra 

Credit Instagram @Romeoislove

If “Go hard or go home” are words you live by, then this level of commitment to a theme is for you. Make a statement with pearls, a whole crown, a wig, blue body paint and purple lips. Then proceed to cash that ‘Best costume of the night’ prize, you earned it. 

Dead mermaid bc Halloween, duh!

credit Instagram @simply.mandiej

The occasion calls for a costume, but also for scary vibes —it is all hallows’ eve after all! So if you’re looking for a dead-something or another, add some fale blood and under-eye bags to your mermaid look, et voila! You’re welcome. 

It’s October, which just so happens to be my favorite month of the year. I mean, Halloween – hello! And with Halloween comes costumes and makeup.

And some people take Halloween makeup to the extreme. Case in point: this woman’s zombie makeup look was so realistic that when she arrived to a hospital for non-zombie health issues, doctors assumed it was real.

This zombie makeup look was so real it convinced actual medical staff she was in need of urgent surgery.

The woman, who lives in Detroit, apparently caused quite a bit of drama in an emergency room when she arrived to the hospital to be treated for a panic attack. However, when she arrived to the hospital she was still done up in her ultra-realistic zombie makeup. Her mouth and chin looked like it was in need of some serious surgery. So doctors did what they’re sworn to do – they prepped Jai Fears (the zombie makeup wearing woman) for immediate surgery and wheeled her off to the trauma ward.

The makeup, she claims, was mistaken for an actual medical emergency and she began being prepped to enter trauma.

“[They said] ‘Let’s get her back to trauma now,’ and ‘She’s probably going into shock, she’s not making any sense,’” Jai Fears, a back-up dancer who had undergone three hours of make-up work to create her grisly look, told Fox 2 Detroit.

Fears said she landed in Beaumont Royal Oak Hospital after suffering a panic attack while getting ready to do a photoshoot for Glam Gore. “It just shot up to my brain and it just caused like a really bad reaction,” she told Fox 2 Detroit.

But when she arrived, she didn’t expect to have to explain her appearance to hospital staffers.

When she arrived to the hospital, according to Fears, she figured the hospital would have to know that it was just makeup. In fact, she said in an interview “They have to know! So no, I did not say anything because I just assumed they could see that it was fake.” 

Plus, when you’re suffering a panic attack, communication isn’t usually one of your strongest skills. It can be difficult to communicate even the most basic of subjects or even remember where you are or how you got there.

The hospital said that it could not comment on Fears’ case specifically, but did release a statement. 

“The emergency room is not a place for fun and games,” a spokesperson told the news outlet. “They see many patients with severe medical issues where lives are at stake. Doctors need to be able to focus on those patients with true emergencies.”

Fears was sent home the same day. In a follow-up post on Facebook, Fears emphasized that while the reaction was humorous, anxiety is not.

“Let me please say anxiety is no joke or laughing matter,” she wrote on Tuesday. “It was a serious situation that happened at a strange time.”

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it is estimated that nearly 40 million people in the U.S. experience an anxiety disorder in any given year. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 1 in 13 people globally suffers from anxiety.

Though not everyone is buying her story.

Though few people questioned the very real condition of panic attacks, many found it hard to believe that she was able to take so many photos while supposedly suffering from one. Most of the photos she shared were obviously taken while in the hospital so many are accusing her, and the makeup company, of nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Moral of the story: if you end up in the hospital with gory makeup, let them know it’s just makeup!