Bloody Mary Costume
Summon the ultimate urban legend with a chilling, blood-stained ghostly look.
Bloody Mary is the infamous folklore ghost said to appear in mirrors when her name is chanted. This costume is a Halloween favorite for those who love classic urban legends and jump scares. The look features a tattered, blood-stained vintage dress, ghostly makeup, and a signature mirror prop.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~60 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Bloody Mary
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Bloody Mary costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bloody Mary costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Victorian nightgown or vintage white dress
A long, flowing white or off-white cotton nightgown with lace trim to give a vintage, ghostly appearance.
DIY: Use an old white maxi dress or oversized white t-shirt and cut the hem into jagged points.
Fake blood gel
Thick, coagulated red gel for realistic drips on the face and neck.
DIY: Mix corn syrup with red food coloring and a drop of blue food coloring to darken it.
Liquid stage blood
Runny red fake blood to splatter across the front of the dress.
White face paint
Cream-based white makeup to create a pale, undead complexion.
Black and grey eyeshadow
A matte dark eyeshadow palette to create deep, sunken eyes.
Ornate hand mirror
A vintage-style plastic hand mirror or a lightweight empty picture frame.
DIY: Remove the glass and backing from a cheap thrift store picture frame and paint it silver.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bloody Mary costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the vintage white nightgown or dress.
- 2
Use scissors to lightly fray the hem and sleeves for a tattered, ghostly appearance.
- 3
Drip and splatter liquid stage blood across the front of the dress, concentrating around the collar and chest.
- 4
Apply white face paint to your face, neck, and hands for a pale, lifeless complexion.
- 5
Blend black and grey eyeshadow around your eyes and in the hollows of your cheeks to create a sunken look.
- 6
Carefully run fake blood gel from the inner corners of your eyes down your cheeks to simulate bloody tears.
- 7
Carry the vintage hand mirror or hold the empty picture frame in front of your face when posing.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in messy, unbrushed waves, or use a tangled dark wig. Apply pale white foundation, heavy dark circles under the eyes, and realistic fake blood dripping from the eyes and corners of the mouth.
Bloody Mary for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a candle or a brave soul chanting her name.
- group
- Create a 'Spooky Urban Legends' group with Slender Man, the Hookman, and Bigfoot.
- kids
- Use a simpler, less scary ghost dress with minimal red face paint.
- Plus size
- A flowing, empire-waist Victorian nightgown offers a comfortable, adjustable fit.
- pet
- A white pet cape with safe, non-toxic red fabric paint splatters.
Tips
- Let the fake blood on the dress dry completely before putting it on to avoid staining furniture.
- Use a lightweight plastic or foam frame instead of real glass for safety and comfort while carrying it.
- Keep wet wipes handy to clean up any makeup or fake blood smudges throughout the night.
Bloody Mary costume FAQ
- How do I make the mirror effect work?
- Carry an empty, lightweight vintage picture frame and hold it up in front of your face when posing for photos to look like you are trapped inside it.
- What kind of fake blood is best?
- Coagulated blood gel works best for realistic drips on your face, while liquid stage blood is ideal for splattering onto the dress.
- Can I wash the fake blood out of the dress?
- Most commercial fake bloods stain permanently, so it is best to use a cheap thrift store dress or a dedicated costume gown.
Did you know? The legend of Bloody Mary is often linked to historical figures like Queen Mary I of England or Elizabeth Báthory, but it evolved into a popular slumber party ritual in the mid-20th century.