Halloween costumes can drain your wallet faster than a vampire at an all-you-can-eat buffet. And if you’re into Monster High costumes (which, let’s face it, are fabulous but extra), you probably know the struggle. The wigs, the makeup, the accessories—it all adds up.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to sell your soul (or your Starbucks budget) to look like your favorite ghoul. I’ve pulled together 11 killer Monster High Halloween costume hacks that will save you both time and money. And yes, I’ve tried some of these myself, so I can promise you won’t look like you threw on a random wig from the dollar store. ;)
Ready? Let’s monster mash our way through these hacks.
1. Raid Your Closet First
Before you even think about hitting up a costume store, check what you already own. You’d be surprised how many Monster High vibes are hiding in your closet.
- Clawdeen Wolf? Leopard print, faux leather, and gold jewelry.
- Frankie Stein? Plaid skirt, collared shirt, and striped socks.
- Draculaura? Anything pink, black, or lacy.
Why pay for something you already own, right? Ever had that “oh wait, I do have this” moment? Trust me, it’s magical.
2. Dollar Store Goldmine
People seriously underestimate dollar stores. They’ve got wigs, makeup, fake nails, even jewelry—all for a buck (or $1.25 now, thanks inflation).
Pro tip: Buy plain accessories and customize them with markers, paint, or glitter. I once turned a plain white headband into Draculaura’s iconic bat bow using black nail polish and a hot glue gun. It looked so good, someone thought I ordered it off Etsy.
3. Skip the Costume Wig—Go with DIY Hair
Wigs are usually the most overpriced part of any costume. Instead, hack your own hair (or a cheap wig).
- Use temporary spray color (under $5) for bold streaks.
- Clip in synthetic extensions instead of buying a full wig.
- Tease, braid, or curl your hair to mimic the characters’ styles.
Honestly, half the Monster High crew has hairstyles that scream “extra,” so you don’t need perfection. You just need drama.
4. Makeup > Expensive Masks
Instead of buying overpriced masks or face accessories, go with DIY makeup. Monster High characters are all about exaggerated eyes, bold lips, and dramatic accents.
Here’s the hack:
- Use cheap drugstore makeup or even face paint.
- Watch YouTube tutorials for character looks (there are hundreds).
- Practice once before Halloween so you don’t end up looking like a raccoon with glitter.
IMO, makeup does the heavy lifting for these costumes. You can wear a plain outfit, but once your face screams “Ghoulia Yelps,” everyone gets it.
5. Thrift Stores = Costume Treasure Hunts
Halloween stores will charge you $40+ for a polyester skirt that feels like sandpaper. Thrift stores? You’ll find better stuff for $5.
Look for:
- Plaid skirts (Frankie Stein, Ghoulia, Lagoona).
- Lace tops (Draculaura, Elissabat).
- Funky shoes and boots (Clawdeen, Cleo).
I once found a gold sequined belt for $3 that looked exactly like Cleo de Nile’s accessory. Total score.
6. Print-and-Cut Accessories
Monster High has tons of fun logos, symbols, and motifs (skulls with bows, bats, lightning bolts). Instead of buying props, print them out.
- Glue them onto cardboard for necklaces, badges, or brooches.
- Stick them on thrifted purses or belts.
- Even print-and-cut wings for Draculaura’s backpack style.
Cheap, fast, and surprisingly effective. Ever notice how a small prop can pull the whole look together? Yeah, this is one of those hacks.
7. Recycle Old Costumes
Got a vampire costume from last year? Congrats, you’re halfway to Draculaura. Old schoolgirl uniform? That’s basically Frankie Stein’s starter kit.
Think about what’s in your costume graveyard and reimagine it:
- Add stitches with eyeliner for Frankie.
- Throw on ears or a tail for Clawdeen.
- Pink everything and bam—Draculaura.
Halloween costumes have nine lives if you get creative.
8. DIY Jewelry (It’s Easier Than You Think)
Monster High characters love accessories, but you don’t need Hot Topic’s markup.
Grab some supplies:
- Safety pins + beads = edgy necklaces.
- Old earrings + glue = Monster High symbols.
- Black ribbon = instant choker.
.webp)
I once made Cleo’s iconic arm cuffs with tin foil and gold nail polish. Did they look legit? Absolutely. Did they cost me $20? Nope—just 20 minutes.
9. Use Everyday Makeup with a Twist
You don’t need to buy special “Halloween makeup kits” (they usually suck anyway). Just hack your normal makeup:
- Lip liner doubles as face detailing.
- Liquid eyeliner works for stitches, spiderwebs, or scars.
- Highlighter makes you glow like Lagoona Blue.
Seriously, don’t overcomplicate this. Half the fun is seeing how far you can stretch what you already own.
10. Swap with Friends
Got a friend who’s a Halloween junkie? Do a costume swap. I once traded a witch hat for a lace corset, and it turned into my perfect Draculaura top.
It’s like shopping, but free. Plus, you can give life to costumes just gathering dust in someone else’s closet. Who doesn’t love free fashion?
11. Focus on the Statement Piece
You don’t need to replicate every detail. Just pick one iconic element of the character and let it do the talking.
- Draculaura = pink heart cheek + pigtails.
- Clawdeen = wolf ears + bold animal print.
- Frankie = stitches + plaid.
- Cleo = gold wrappings + eyeliner drama.
Once you nail the signature piece, the rest can be casual. People will still know exactly who you are. Honestly, I wore jeans with a pink top once, but with Draculaura’s pigtails and bat bow—boom, nailed it.
Extra Tips to Stretch Your Budget
Okay, 11 hacks done, but let’s sneak in some bonus tricks because I can’t help myself:
- Coupons are your BFF. Check Michael’s, JoAnn, or Spirit Halloween online before you buy anything.
- Hot glue gun = miracle worker. Fixes wigs, glues rhinestones, attaches fake fangs—you name it.
- DIY fangs: Cut fake nails, file them into points, and attach with denture adhesive. Looks creepy-good.
Ever notice how half of DIY is just improvising with stuff you already own? That’s the real magic.
Conclusion
Monster High Halloween costumes don’t need to drain your wallet or take weeks to pull together. With a little creativity (and maybe a glue gun burn or two), you can rock an amazing look for cheap.
Remember:
- Start with what you own.
- Thrift before you splurge.
- Pick one iconic detail and own it.
At the end of the day, it’s about having fun and feeling confident—not about spending $100 on a wig you’ll wear once. So grab those dollar store gems, raid your closet, and let your inner monster shine.
And hey, if you end up with a killer DIY Draculaura or Frankie Stein look, tag me—I need to see it. :)