How do I do the David Bowie lightning bolt makeup?

Use a skin-safe makeup pencil to sketch a lightning bolt over your right eye. Fill the left side of the bolt with red paint, the right side with blue, and outline the division with a thin black line.

What clothes do I need for a Ziggy Stardust costume?

You need a metallic, asymmetrical jumpsuit or a colorful striped suit paired with high platform boots.

How can I style my hair like David Bowie?

Use a bright orange-red mullet wig. Use hair gel or hairspray to spike the top and keep the sides and back shagged.

AI-generated example

David Bowie Costume

Channel the chameleon of rock with the ultimate glam rock look.

David Bowie remains one of the most influential style icons in music history, making him a perennial favorite for Halloween and themed parties. This guide focuses on his legendary Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane era, characterized by bold makeup and futuristic glam rock attire. With a striking lightning bolt and a fiery red mullet, you will instantly stand out in any crowd.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~60 min
Budget: $40–120

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David Bowie costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as David Bowie

Result

What you need for a David Bowie costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete David Bowie costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.

Shop David Bowie at Spirit ↗

Red mullet wig
A short, spiky, bright orange-red wig styled in a classic 1970s shag or mullet cut.
DIY: Temporary red hair color spray applied to a heavily teased and hairsprayed short shag haircut.
Amazon
Metallic glam rock jumpsuit
An asymmetrical or striped metallic unitard, or a colorful patterned jumpsuit with padded shoulders.
DIY: A fitted metallic blue or silver top paired with matching tight pants or leggings.
Amazon
Red platform boots
High-top platform boots in shiny red patent leather or metallic faux leather.
DIY: Cover a pair of regular boots with red duct tape or red fabric paint.
Amazon
Face paint kit
Skin-safe face paint in bright red, deep blue, and black to create the iconic face art.
DIY: Use highly pigmented red and blue cream eyeshadows outlined with a black liquid eyeliner pencil.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made David Bowie costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Put on the base layer of your costume, such as a metallic jumpsuit or a striped glam rock suit.
2
Style the bright orange-red mullet wig, using hairspray to fluff up the top for a spiky, textured look.
3
Use a makeup pencil to lightly sketch a diagonal lightning bolt across the right side of your face, running through the eye.
4
Fill in the lightning bolt with bright red face paint on one side and deep blue on the other, separating them with a thin black line.
5
Put on the high-top red platform boots to complete the dramatic, towering silhouette.

Makeup & hair

The makeup is the centerpiece: paint a bold red and blue lightning bolt outlined in black across your right eye. Pair this with a spiky, bright orange-red mullet wig, and optionally block out your eyebrows with a glue stick for an authentic extraterrestrial look.

David Bowie for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair Ziggy Stardust with a 1970s glam rock groupie or Jareth the Goblin King from Labyrinth.
group: Assemble a group of different Bowie eras, including the Thin White Duke, the Life on Mars blue suit, and the Aladdin Sane look.
kids: A miniature metallic jumpsuit with a washable, painted-on lightning bolt makes for an adorable glam rock kid.
Plus size: Choose a stretchy metallic unitard or a tailored, open-front blazer with matching wide-leg trousers for a comfortable, flattering fit.
pet: A small red knit wig and a metallic collar can transform your pet into a space oddity.

Tips

Set your face paint with a translucent setting powder to prevent the lightning bolt from smudging during the night.
If platform boots are uncomfortable for walking, swap them for metallic red or silver flat ankle boots.
Practice drawing the lightning bolt outline on your hand or a piece of paper before applying it to your face.

David Bowie costume FAQ

How do I do the David Bowie lightning bolt makeup?: Use a skin-safe makeup pencil to sketch a lightning bolt over your right eye. Fill the left side of the bolt with red paint, the right side with blue, and outline the division with a thin black line.
What clothes do I need for a Ziggy Stardust costume?: You need a metallic, asymmetrical jumpsuit or a colorful striped suit paired with high platform boots.
How can I style my hair like David Bowie?: Use a bright orange-red mullet wig. Use hair gel or hairspray to spike the top and keep the sides and back shagged.

Did you know? The iconic lightning bolt makeup from the Aladdin Sane album cover was inspired by a flash of lightning on a domestic cooker in the studio.