Death Becomes Her Costume
Bring 90s dark comedy glamour to life with these undead looks.
Death Becomes Her is a beloved 1992 dark comedy famous for its campy special effects, sharp wit, and glamorous fashion. Fans love dressing up as rivals Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, choosing either their pristine high-society outfits or their iconic post-mortem damaged looks. This guide focuses on Madeline's classic white-and-gold ensemble and Helen's red gown, complete with their signature glowing potion.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Death Becomes Her
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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What you need for a Death Becomes Her costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Death Becomes Her costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Madeline's White Blouse
A glamorous, silky white blouse with a dramatic, oversized collar or plunging neckline.
DIY: Use a white button-down shirt and fold the collar wide over a gold statement necklace.
Madeline's White Skirt or Pants
Matching high-waisted white trousers or a sleek white pencil skirt to complete the monochromatic look.
DIY: Any clean white dress pants or midi skirt from your closet.
Helen's Red Dress
A sleek, long-sleeved red dress or a red top paired with a matching red maxi skirt.
DIY: Combine a long-sleeve red crewneck shirt with a matching red maxi skirt.
Chunky Gold Jewelry
Large, 1990s-style gold chain necklaces, chunky earrings, and a gold brooch with a red gemstone.
DIY: Spray paint old thrifted plastic jewelry with metallic gold paint.
The Potion Bottle
A clear, ornate glass perfume bottle with a gold cap, filled with translucent purple liquid.
DIY: Fill an empty glass bottle with water and a drop of purple food coloring, or insert a purple mini LED light.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Death Becomes Her costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Choose your character: Go as Madeline in her glamorous all-white ensemble, or Helen in her striking red gown.
- 2
For Madeline, tuck the silky white blouse into the high-waisted white trousers or skirt, styling the collar wide.
- 3
For Helen, slip on the long-sleeved red dress, ensuring a sleek, form-fitting silhouette.
- 4
Accessorize heavily with chunky 90s-style gold jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and rings.
- 5
Prepare the potion bottle by filling your vintage-style glass bottle with water and purple food coloring, or securing a purple LED light inside.
- 6
Style your hair in voluminous, classic 1990s waves, using plenty of hairspray for hold.
- 7
Carry the glowing purple potion bottle as your main prop and strike a dramatic, high-fashion pose.
Makeup & hair
Apply classic 90s glamour makeup with defined eyebrows, neutral eyeshadow, and a bold red lip. Style hair into voluminous, bouncy blowouts—blonde waves for Madeline or a sleek red/auburn style for Helen.
Death Becomes Her for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Madeline in her white outfit with Helen in her red dress, or have one partner dress as the disheveled, paint-splattered Ernest Menville.
- group
- Form a trio with Madeline, Helen, and Lisle von Rhuman in her extravagant, jeweled gothic attire.
- Plus size
- A wrap-style white blouse or a stretchy red velvet maxi dress offers a comfortable, flattering, and glamorous fit.
Tips
- For a spooky twist, use body paint to recreate Madeline's backward head or Helen's shotgun hole in her stomach.
- Make sure your potion bottle is tightly sealed with hot glue or cork stopper to prevent purple spills on your white or red clothing.
- Wear comfortable gold heels or flats, as both characters maintain high-society elegance from head to toe.
Death Becomes Her costume FAQ
- How do you make the glowing potion from Death Becomes Her?
- Fill a vintage-style glass perfume bottle with water, add a drop of purple food coloring, and drop in a small waterproof purple LED tea light or glow stick.
- What are the two main outfits in Death Becomes Her?
- The most popular choices are Madeline's glamorous all-white draped blouse and pants outfit, and Helen's sleek, long-sleeved red gown.
- How can I do the 'hole in the stomach' Helen look?
- Cut a neat circle in the center of a red shirt, black out your skin underneath with black fabric or body paint, and paint a red ring around the edge of the circle.
Did you know? The film's groundbreaking visual effects, which realistically depicted broken necks and body holes, won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1993.