So, Halloween is creeping up again, and you’re staring at your closet like it personally offended you. Same. Buying a costume is expensive, and half the time they feel like they’re made of recycled tissue paper. You want something fun, a little quirky, and definitely not the tenth “sexy cat” of the night.
That’s where the magic of DIY comes in. And honestly, is there anything more classic right now than an alien? With the whole pop culture obsession with outer space (and those little green guys), an alien costume is versatile, cool, and surprisingly easy to throw together. I’ve been making my own Halloween getups for years—some wins, some total disasters (looking at you, homemade giraffe costume). But an alien? It’s hard to mess up.
I’ve rounded up six of my favorite DIY alien costume ideas for women. Whether you want to look like a glamorous intergalactic traveler or something straight out of a sci-fi thriller, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get crafty.
1. The Classic Grey Alien
This is the one everyone pictures when you say “alien.” Big black eyes, grey skin, that mysterious vibe. It’s simple, recognizable, and honestly, pretty chic in a minimalist way.
Nailing the Skin Tone
The base is everything here. You aren’t going to paint your whole body, don’t worry. I learned that lesson after spending hours removing silver paint from my arms one year. Ouch.
- Look for a good quality grey bodysuit. Amazon or any costume store will have them. Make sure it’s a matte finish; shiny grey looks more like a wetsuit.
- For the face and hands, I swear by Mehron cream makeup. It goes on smooth and stays put, even if you’re sweating while doing the Monster Mash. Apply it with a damp sponge for an even coat. Don’t forget your neck!
The Iconic Head
You can buy a bald cap, but IMO, they are a nightmare to put on if you have long hair. Instead, I love using a knitted grey beanie.
- Pull it down low on your forehead.
- Use face paint or a grey eyeshadow to blend the edge of the beanie into your temples. It creates a seamless “bald” look without the glue and tears.
Creating Those Big Eyes
This is the make-or-break detail.
- Start with a base of white face paint around your eyes, covering your brows and upper cheeks.
- Take a black cream makeup or a very soft black pencil and draw large, almond-shaped ovals over the white. Think anime character.
- Fill them in completely. Don’t worry about perfection—aliens aren’t supposed to look perfectly human, right? The bigger and blacker, the better.
Pair this with a simple silver or black dress, and you’re ready to abduct the dance floor.
2. Glam Space Empress
Maybe you want to look like you own the planet rather than just visiting it. This look is all about metallics, shine, and looking like you just stepped off your private UFO.
The Shiny Wardrobe
Raid your closet or your local thrift store. You’re looking for anything with a metallic sheen.
- A silver or gold pleated skirt is a great start.
- Pair it with a shimmery bodysuit or a metallic crop top.
- If you find a sequin jacket, grab it. Even if it’s 90 degrees out, you’ll wear it for the photos.
Extraterrestrial Hair and Makeup
This is where you can have some real fun.
- Hair: Get out the crimper. I know, crimping feels very 90s, but on a space empress, it looks intentional and cool. If you don’t have a crimper, braid your hair while damp and undo it for a wavy, textured look. Spray in some silver or blue hair chalk for that cosmic feel.
- Eyes: Go for a smoky eye with a twist. Use purples, silvers, and blues. Blend them out towards your temples. Pop some glitter in the inner corners of your eyes.
- Lips: A bold, dark lip—like a deep plum or even a metallic silver—finishes the look.
The Crown (Because You’re Royalty)
Every empress needs a crown. Make one by spray-painting an old headband or a cheap plastic tiara silver. Then, hot glue some gems, stars, or even small toy planets onto it. It adds height and screams “I rule this galaxy.”
3. Recycled Robot Alien
Okay, so this one is a hybrid, but it’s so fun. It’s the alien who crash-landed and had to rebuild using Earth trash. It’s eco-friendly and hilarious. Ever wondered why we throw away so much cardboard? This costume answers that question.
Building the Armor
You’ll need a cardboard box big enough to fit your torso.
- Cut holes for your head and arms.
- Spray paint the whole thing silver or chrome.
- Now for the fun part: Raiding the recycling bin!
- Bottle caps become control buttons.
- Egg cartons, cut up and painted, look like circuit boards.
- Old CD pieces add a real tech-y shine.
- Glue these all over your cardboard “chest plate.”
Antennae and Accessories
You can’t be a robot alien without antennae.
- Take a simple headband.
- Wrap it in aluminum foil or black electrical tape.
- Attach two springs (the kind you might find in an old notebook) to the sides.
- Glue a large pom-pom or a painted Styrofoam ball to the end of each spring. Make them different colors for a fun look.
The Circuitry Makeup
Keep your makeup simple since the costume is bulky. Use a silver or black liquid eyeliner to draw tiny circuit lines on your face—on your temples, down your cheek, or on your forehead. Add a few dots of white face paint for blinking lights.
4. Tie-Dye Galaxy Alien
This one is for the free spirits. It’s comfortable, colorful, and totally unique. You’ll look like you wandered in from a nebula.
The Cosmic Tee
Start with a plain white t-shirt. You can buy a tie-dye kit at any craft store, but I’m going to tell you my favorite shortcut: the sharpie method.
- Stretch a section of the shirt over a cup or a can, securing it with a rubber band.
- Dot the stretched fabric with different colored Sharpies.
- Drip rubbing alcohol onto the dots with a dropper. Watch the color spread like magic! It creates a perfect galaxy burst.
- Repeat all over the shirt. Set it with an iron (follow the dye instructions).
Matching Accessories
- Leggings: Find a pair of black leggings with stars, or if you’re feeling bold, tie-dye an old pair of white leggings to match.
- Shoes: Plain black sneakers are perfect. You don’t want to distract from the top.
Starry-Eyed Makeup
This makeup look is surprisingly easy and photograph-worthy.
- Base: Do your normal foundation.
- Eyes: Use a black or dark blue base all over your lids. Then, take a sponge and dab on different colors—purples, pinks, blues—randomly. Don’t blend them too much; you want them to look like separate nebulae.
- The Stars: Use a white eyeliner pencil or a thin brush with white face paint. Dip it in a little water and then flick the bristles towards your face to create tiny splatter “stars.” Practice on your hand first! For bigger stars, just dot them on with the brush.
5. The 1950s B-Movie Alien
You know the one. The femme fatale from outer space, here to seduce the earthlings with her massive beehive and slinky dress. This costume is pure camp, and I am here for it.
The Silhouette
- Dress: You need a fitted, wiggle dress. Think sparkly, think lamé, think vintage gold or silver. It should be tight and hit just below the knee.
- Shape: If you don’t have the hips for it, no worries! A petticoat worn under a slightly flared dress can give you that hourglass, retro vibe.
The Most Important Hair
This costume lives or dies by the hair. You need a beehive.
- Tease your hair like crazy at the crown.
- Smooth the top layer over the teased section gently.
- Pro Tip: If your hair is short or thin, use a hair donut or even stuff a sock (yes, a clean sock) with your hair and pin it underneath to get that height.
- Wrap a sparkly scarf or a metallic ribbon around the base of the beehive.
Vintage Meets Space
- Makeup: Go full-on 50s glam. Heavy black winged eyeliner, red lips, and perfectly arched brows. The contrast of the vintage makeup with the “alien” concept is what makes it work.
- Accessories: Add some space-age jewelry. Think big plastic earrings in geometric shapes. You want to look like you’re from the future as imagined in 1958.
6. The Glow-in-the-Dark Alien
Why just look like an alien when you can literally light up the room? This one requires a tiny bit of tech, but the payoff is huge. People will literally follow you around.
The Base Layer
You need a plain black outfit. A long-sleeve shirt and leggings work best. It’s your canvas.
Light It Up
This is where the magic happens.
- EL Wire: You can buy this online for cheap. It’s a thin, flexible wire that glows. It usually comes with a small battery pack.
- The Design: Before you start sticking things down, plan your design.
- Outline your torso.
- Create a “power core” circle on your chest.
- Run lines down your arms and legs.
- Attaching: Use hot glue (carefully, so it doesn’t melt the wire casing) or clear tape to attach the EL wire to your clothes following your design. Hide the battery pack in a pocket or pin it to the inside of your waistband.
UV Face Paint
EL wire is bright, but your face needs to match.
- Go to a Halloween store and buy a set of UV (black light) face paints.
- Paint your face with swirling galaxies, alien symbols, or just cover your face in glowing dots and lines.
- Most Halloween parties have black lights, so under them, your face will pop just as much as your body.
Final Tips for an Out-of-This-World Night
Whichever look you choose, a few things will make your night easier. Comfort is key when you’re out all night. Also, bring a small touch-up kit with you. Nothing ruins an alien abduction like a smudged eye.
Remember to take tons of photos! These costumes are too good not to document. And honestly, seeing your friends’ reactions when you show up as a glow-in-the-dark empress is the best part. It’s way better than candy. Well, almost.
So, which alien are you going to be? Are you a glam empress or a B-movie queen? Let me know in the comments! I’m already planning next year’s costume—maybe a UFO that actually flies? Probably not, but a girl can dream. Happy Halloween, you weirdos! 👽
