If we’re staying true to canon, vampires are immortal, night-crawling creatures who have quite a penchant for blood (so #thirsty!). Oh, and they’re also supposedly gorgeous and really, really seductive—with a glorious, luxurious head of hair. Since vampires in literature came to the fore during the mid-18th century, they’re usually typified with hairstyles of that era: Long, intensely hued, curly hair was the look of the day, as well as big hair accentuated with some gothic accessories, oftentimes with a Rococo/Baroque touch. Some had their hair teased and volumized into a beehive, similar to courtesans and members of the high court gone rogue. Other vampire hairstyles are also depicted with stick-straight strands, which added to the super-gaunt, angular aesthetic—the closest to looking, you know, undead. Click through our gallery for some majorly fang-tastic inspo!
Crimped Updo
Go all out and invest in a black wig or style your own hair into this crimped updo for a truly authentic vampire look. Use a crimper to give your hair the right amount of scraggly texture and pull it up into an updo that sits below the headpiece of your costume. Spritz some TRESemmé TRES Two Freeze Hold Hairspray onto the finished look to hold it in place all night long.
Sultry Braid
Have you ever tried to create a reverse fishtail? First, refresh your regular fishtail skills with our easy tutorial for how to create a fishtail braid. This style is just as easy as a classic fishtail but instead of pulling the pieces of the braid over each other, you’ll want to pull them under. Secure the end with a hair tie and wrap a small strand of hair around it for extra polish.
Goth and Punky
To create this dramatic ponytail, run a dime-sized amount of Nexxus Humectress Encapsulate Serum through your hair and brush it through from the roots to ends. Use your brush to comb your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie that matches your hair color. Wrap a one-inch strand of hair around the base of the ponytail to finish off the look.
Romantic Waves
Put the end-of-summer beach waves to good use and let them hang loose in romantic waves. Spritz Suave Professionals Texturizing Sea Salt Spray all over your strands for extra wave and body.
Victorian Updo
If you’re looking for a more low-key option then consider opting for a regal-looking low bun. Create a center part and gather your hair to the back of your head into a ponytail. Wrap the ponytail around itself until it’s fully coiled, then use bobby pins to pin it in place.
Backcombed Bouffant
Bold, bouffant-style hair has been a hot runway and street style trend for quite some time now, so it’s no wonder that female vampire hairstyles also feature this stylish ‘do! Remember what they say: the bigger, the better! Credit: @madlen_makeup Editor’s tip: To recreate this spooky look, you’ll need to be armed with a teasing comb and some Suave Extreme Hold Aerosol Hairspray. Keep backcombing and spritzing until you’ve got voluminous locks to die for!
Retro Flapper
Looking to go down the retro route this Halloween, but still want to scare all other party-goers? Then why not opt for one of the many flapper-inspired vampire hairstyles? Ever since the 1920s have been trending, we’ve been obsessed with this party-ready hairstyle, and it just so happens to work amazingly well when given a vampiric twist. Halloween vampire hairstyles really don’t get more sophisticated than this! Credit: @sashaslaboy
Deadly Braids
If bygone ‘dos aren’t your thing, then how about dabbling in some spooky braided vampire hairstyles? Style your messy mane into a half-up, half-down hairstyle, then create a few twisty snake braids and place them at random around your mane. For added effect, weave your braids through one another to give the appearance that your plaits are alive and ssslithering! Credit: @hairbybiancaxx Editor’s tip: To give your braids more grit and texture, prep your hair with a spritz of TRESemmé Volumizing Dry Shampoo. This will help your braids to stay in place, while also giving your locks lots of bouncy volume, too.
Seductive Curls
If the above styles are too spine-chilling for your taste, then fret not, because you can always go as a sexy (yet gory) vampire. After all, the best way to trap your victims is to seduce them with mesmerising vampire hairstyles for Halloween! Credit: @francescakmakeup
Blue Locks
If you’re on the hunt for Halloween vampire hairstyles with a dose of color, these lethal locks are just the thing! But if you’re not brave enough to actually cut in that micro fringe and dye your hair a glorious shade of electrifying blue, grab yourself a wig and you’re good to ghoul! Credit: @vivi_ciciliato
Cackling Curls
So you’ve decided you want your tresses to look terrific this Halloween, which means one thing: you need to opt for vampire hairstyles that ooze glamour. Think big, sleek, bouncy curls for the ultimate in vampire-glam ‘do! Credit: @moamurderess
Widow’s Peak
Throw it back to the original vampire in-town (Count Dracula) with vampire hairstyles that keep it classic! If you’re a dab hand with an eyeliner, this widow’s peak look will leave your fellow party-pals petrified! Credit: @josuecjr
The Blonde Vampire
If you thought blonde vampires were the stuff of make-believe, think again! Now you can mix up your vampire hairstyles for Halloween by experimenting with long blonde tresses. Keep the outfit dark and deadly, and the make-up sultry, for a spooky twist on the vamp look. Move aside, Goldy Locks…. Credit: @muadallas
Little Red Vampire-hood
Female vampire hairstyles that are scary and seductive? We’ve got you covered! Curl the lengths of your hair for a tumbling, sultry finish and you’ll soon have a devilish look you’ll love. Now grab your cape, don your best oxblood-hue lippy and pull up your vampire hood! Credit: @looksby_liz Editor’s tip: For curls that will last all night, apply a generous mist of the Dove Style and Care Extra Hold Hairspray all over your hair to finish off the look.
Pink Hair
If you thought pink hair was just for unicorns, you would be mistaken! While this ‘do may be pretty, when teamed with vampire make-up and dark, creepy attire, you’ll be the most spine-chilling gal at the club.
Balayage Babe
Who said Halloween vampire hairstyles can’t also be bang on trend? Not us! Keep your locks looking oh-so lovely and a little bit edgy by teaming dark tresses and blonde tips. Perfect! Credit: @cristina_barsan
White Locks
If you’re feeling adventurous this fright-night, why not spray your hair white and get ready to make head turns? Work your tresses into a half-up beehive and team with bright red lashes (and a little mandatory blood), for a scary Halloween ‘do! Credit: @foxytrash The best vampire hairstyles are those that first and foremost, match the costume you’re wearing. Choose a specific era—medieval, Victorian and recent pop culture vampire iterations all have slight differences, so best to research on the archetypal look of the period you’re dressing up in. Next, tailor all the little details to fit, whether it be super-backcombed hair or a feathered hair accessory. Still stuck? Check out our quiz below to see which vampire hairstyles you like best. Happy hunting!