The reverse spiderweb: Halloween makeup for people who can't draw a spiderweb

Finished reverse spiderweb Halloween makeup with a berry lip and black choker
#eyeliner #halloween #tutorial

Lindsay Larsen

Makeup Researcher

3 Mins Read

Tried to draw a spiderweb with eyeliner and ended up with a wobbly tic-tac-toe board? Same. So we flipped it: instead of drawing the web, you erase it. All it takes is a smudge of black shadow, a cotton bud and micellar water.

What you need

  • A black eyeshadow and a small, fluffy smudging brush.
  • A black liquid or felt-tip liner for a sharp wing.
  • Pointed cotton buds. The pointier, the finer your web lines.
  • Micellar water. We used the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 for sensitive skin.
  • Optional: reusable make-up remover pads for the inevitable first attempt.

The 5-step method

1. Accept that drawing it doesn’t work
Freehand webs with liner almost always come out uneven, and one wrong line ruins the whole thing. If yours already looks like a tic-tac-toe board, wipe it off with a remover pad and start fresh. No shame.

A wobbly spiderweb drawn freehand with black liquid liner next to the eye

2. Wing it
Draw a sharp winged liner on the eye you’re decorating. It gives the look a clean edge and frames the web. New to wings? Our winged liner guide has you covered.

Sharp black winged liner with micellar water and cotton buds ready for the reverse spiderweb

3. Smudge a dark patch
With the fluffy brush, pack black shadow from the wing out towards your temple and down onto the top of your cheekbone. Make it about the size of the web you want, and soften the outer edges so it melts into your blush.

Smudging black eyeshadow out from the winged liner with a small fluffy brush

4. Erase the web
Dip a cotton bud in micellar water and dab off the excess. Starting at the outer corner of your eye, swipe out 4–5 straight lines like the spokes of a wheel. Then, with a fresh bud, connect them with little curved lines that dip towards the eye. Every swipe lifts the shadow and leaves a clean line of skin behind.

Swiping web lines through black eyeshadow with a cotton bud dipped in micellar water

5. Final touches
Add a deep berry lip and a black choker, and you’re done. For extra drama, add black lenses (only ever from an optician!).

Side profile of the finished reverse spiderweb eye makeup with a black choker

 

  • Lines too thick? Your bud is too wet. Squeeze it on a tissue before every swipe.
  • Lines look patchy? Go over them once more with a clean bud. A used bud just moves the shadow around.
  • Messed up a line? Tap a little shadow back over it and swipe again.

Pro tip for the MUAs
This reverse technique works for any graphic shape: stars, moons, bats. Erasing gives you cleaner edges than drawing, especially on textured skin, and it’s quick to redo between clients.
Your turn: what are you going as this Halloween? Tell us in the comments!

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