The Haunted History of Nails, Makeup, and Hair in Film 🎃💄💇‍♀️ October 31, 2025

From silent horror movies to today’s big-screen thrillers, beauty has always played a starring role in spooky storytelling. Nails, makeup, and hair don’t just complete a look—they help bring monsters, witches, and villains to life. Here’s a haunted walk through film history to see how beauty has shaped the way we experience fear.

💅 Nails: Claws of the Silver Screen

• Nosferatu (1922): Count Orlok’s long, claw-like nails became one of cinema’s first terrifying beauty statements. His eerie manicure set the standard for vampire villains for decades.

• Classic Witches: From The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (1939) to Maleficent’s modern take, sharp, pointed nails have been a symbol of power, mystery, and danger.

• Modern Horror Queens: Today, polished claws still dominate—from neon stiletto nails in Clueless-inspired Halloween villains to gothic black acrylics seen in films like The Craft (1996).

💄 Makeup: Monsters, Magic, and Movie Magic

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931): Heavy contouring, shadows, and grease paint turned one actor into two very different personalities, showing early transformative power of makeup.

• Universal Monsters: Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, and The Mummy all relied on bold makeup artistry—darkened eyes, pale skin, and exaggerated features made them unforgettable.

• The Exorcist (1973): Makeup turned Linda Blair into one of the most frightening characters in film history, with cracked skin, oozing wounds, and demonic eyes.

• Modern Day: Special effects makeup continues to evolve—zombies in The Walking Dead and horror movies like It(2017) show just how far the craft has come.

💇 Hair: Frights, Icons, and Legends

• Bride of Frankenstein (1935): Elsa Lanchester’s electrified updo with white lightning streaks remains one of the most iconic hairstyles in horror film history.

• Morticia Addams (1964–1991): Sleek, jet-black, floor-length hair became a gothic beauty standard, influencing countless Halloween looks.

• Samara in The Ring (2002): Long, stringy, wet hair covering the face created one of the most chilling modern horror images.

• Modern Gothic Glam: Characters like Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad use wild, styled hair to capture chaos, danger, and villainous charm.

✨ From Nosferatu’s nails to the Bride of Frankenstein’s shocking hair, beauty has been essential in shaping the horror genre. It’s proof that cosmetology isn’t just about style—it’s about storytelling.

At The Salon Professional Academy in Collegeville, our students explore how hair, makeup, and nails can transform not just people, but entire characters. Who knows? Maybe the next iconic horror look will come from one of our future stylists.