Murder Mystery Halloween Looks | FrightFemmes 2022 Vol. 4

In this post I’ll be sharing VOL. 4 of our 2022 Halloween makeup and costume inspo series. The theme this week is: MURDER MYSTERIES

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Welcome to VOL.4 of #FrightFemmes Friday!

If you’re just joining us, click here to read the intro post… but, here’s a quick recap in a nutshell:

The @frightfemmes collab is an ode to our love for all things Halloween… especially, the makeup & costuming. During the month of October, I’m teaming up with Caro from @blonde2brunette and Ruthmarie from @the.vintage.raven to create over 15 different Halloween looks. We’ll be sharing themed looks weekly, with the hopes of inspiring others to try out some new MUA techniques or costumes. Follow the hashtag #FrightFemmes on Instagram to keep up with our looks and some extra fun Halloween content.

For this week’s theme, MURDER MYSTERY, we added the element of a backstory to link each of our characters together. This would make a great group costume, with more people included to create a larger “cast” of characters for the drama! We’re definitely feeling inspired to host a murder mystery themed dinner party in the near future to complete the entire vision! But for now enjoy our 3 very moody, gloomy, and vintage-glam inspired looks, complete with a storyline to follow!

The LOOKS:

+ Caro (The Victim)
+ Ruthmarie (The Murderess)
+ Laura (The Detective)

Caro – The Victim

Keep your friends close, and your sinister stepmother closer.

Tragedy has ensued. Another wealthy man of stature has mysteriously passed. While mourning her father at the wake, Caro opens a condolence letter from her great friend, The Detective. Just as she reads the very last line warning her about the horrendous acts that await her this unfateful night, she takes a sip of a cocktail that is ever so casually handed to her. The poisoned potion takes effect instantly, leaving her stepmother, The Murderess, free to collect a bountiful family inheritance without a single soul standing in her way.

For more behind the scenes and details about Caro’s look, check out her post here!

•••

Keep up with Caro and her #FrightFemmes looks via her Instagram @caropozo + her lifestyle blog @blonde2brunette / blonde2brunette.com + her shop @thesugarcottage_ / thesugarcottagemiami.com for gifts, event design, and so much more! For video content, check out the Blonde2Brunette YouTube channel for all things party planning, gardening, MUA, and beyond!

Ruthmarie – The Murderess

Every Murderess has her drink of choice.

On the stormy night of her late husband’s wake, Ruthmarie simply will not allow another pretentious offspring to stand in her way of a substantial inheritance. While her history of ex-lovers who have mysteriously “gone missing” seems to loom over the lips of other guests, tonight’s happenings will still take place as smoothly as a sip of vermouth. The butler hands a poisoned appletini to her stepdaughter, and after one quick sip, the deed is done. A coy smile creeps onto The Murderess’s face, as yet again, her pocketbook expands with the riches of another man.

For more behind the scenes and details about Ruthmarie’s look, check out her post here!

•••

Keep up with Ruthmarie and her #FrightFemmes looks via her Instagram @the.vintage.raven + blog thevintageravenblog.com, and her shop @preciselyplanners / RMSewingEmporium for sewing planners and more creative goodies! For video content, check out The Vintage Raven YouTube channel for upcoming creative projects!

Laura – The Detective

Eternally trapped in a state of incompetence.

The Detective soon learns about the tragic death of her dear friend. And during the wake of her own father… the horror! However, unbeknownst to her, a murder weapon simply does not exist. She spends countless years suffering over this seemingly unsolvable mystery and passes away before the case is closed. With tears of sorrow and frustration streaming down her face, she now lives trapped for eternity in the spirit world, still obsessively striving to reach a conclusion about her dear friend’s passing.

Keep up with me and my #FrightFemmes looks via Instagram @laurajadeprado

Click here for my digital notebook | Click here for Ruthmarie’s costume planner sheet

Putting together the detective look:

Makeup + Hair:

Messy smokey eye – Apply a dark eyeshadow base or cream paint over the entire lid, slightly above the crease, and on the lower lash line. Set with a combination of black and brown eyeshadow, blending the edges softly. Keep this a bit messy for that “undone” effect. For sparkle, add bronze glitter over certain spots. This glitter palette also has tons of colors!
White lashes – I applied white cream paint on a spoolie brush on the top and bottom lashes. You can also use white mascara. Be sure to coat the tops and bottoms of the lashes for extra coverage.
Teardrops – Create custom 3D tears with hot glue. Line a coaster or small plate with parchment paper. Then make small dollops of hot glue and hold up the surface at an angle to let them slide down a bit. Once dried, you can peel them off and apply to your cheeks with eyelash glue. Tip: let the eyelash glue set until slightly tacky before applying the tears.
Moody Lips – Apply your favorite deep burgundy lip shade, and top off with a layer of bronze glitter in the center.
Grey hair bob – Tease the bottom half of your hair, and tuck the ends under to create a faux bob. Add pins or clips to the back where needed. Then apply white hair powder or dry shampoo for that desaturated/grey look. Finish with a strong hold hairspray.

Outfit + Styling:

This classic detective look is all about the layering. For the base layer start with a pair of slack pants or a skirt, then add a simple white button down collared shirt. Next, add a knit sweater vest and plaid blazer. The outermost layer should be a trench coat.

Lastly, accessorize with a neck scarf and textured newsboy hat. To complete the detective look, pair with a costume pipe.

To keep all the layers looking cohesive, make sure all the pieces fall nicely in a color palette. For example, I pulled out the slight berry tones in the plaid blazer with the knit vest in the same tone.

Recreate the look:

That wraps up our #FrightFemmes MURDER MYSTERY theme. Stay tuned for the next round of themed looks from myself, Caro, and Ruthmarie… coming up next week!

In the meantime, follow along on Instagram @laurajadeprado for sneak peeks at upcoming Halloween makeup and costume inspo + other lifestyle-related content.

Looking for more inspo!? Check out my Halloween Pinterest board for tons of costumes, home decor, and party inspo… updated daily! ++ You can always find all of my Amazon faves for Halloween makeup & costumes, and spooky-chic home decor in my storefront lists!

Xx- Laura

PS – Want to do your own version of a makeup look or DIY costume? We’d love to see it! Tag @frightfemmes and use the hashtag #FrightFemmes to share your look with us on Instagram… we’ll be picking our favorites to feature throughout the month of October!