Regan MacNeil Costume
Recreate the ultimate horror icon with a distressed nightgown and terrifying makeup.
Regan MacNeil from the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist is one of the most terrifying and recognizable Halloween costumes of all time. Perfect for horror fans who want a truly scary look, this costume relies on a simple, distressed nightgown paired with dramatic, unsettling special effects makeup. The final look is instantly recognizable, deeply unsettling, and surprisingly comfortable to wear.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $25–75
Try it on
See yourself as Regan MacNeil
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.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Regan MacNeil costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Regan MacNeil costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Floral nightgown
A light blue or pale pink long-sleeved nightgown with a subtle floral pattern or lace trim, matching the 1970s style.
DIY: Use an oversized, light-colored long-sleeve nightshirt and paint faint floral details on it.
Green fabric paint or liquid latex
Used to simulate the iconic green pea soup vomit stains down the front of the nightgown.
DIY: Mix green acrylic paint with a bit of water and yellow food coloring to create a splattered texture.
Rigid collodion or scar wax
For creating realistic, deep facial scratches and cuts on the cheeks and forehead.
DIY: Use eyelash glue and tissue paper layered together to create raised, peeling skin textures.
Pale face makeup
A pale, sickly white or light grey cream makeup base to give a cold, lifeless complexion.
DIY: Mix a very light foundation with a tiny dab of green and blue eyeshadow.
Yellow or green costume contact lenses
Sclera or standard costume lenses in a sickly yellow or cloudy white color to mimic possession.
White wrist straps
Two simple white fabric strips or medical gauze tied around the wrists to represent bed restraints.
DIY: Cut strips from an old white t-shirt or use standard medical gauze rolls.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Regan MacNeil costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Lay the nightgown flat and splatter the front with green fabric paint, concentrating heavily around the collar and chest to mimic vomit stains. Let it dry completely.
- 2
Lightly distress the nightgown by rubbing sandpaper or dirt on the hem and sleeves to make it look worn and neglected.
- 3
Apply the pale face makeup evenly over your face, neck, and hands, blending it out so you look cold and sickly.
- 4
Use dark purple, brown, and grey eyeshadows around your eyes to create deep, sunken, sleep-deprived sockets.
- 5
Apply rigid collodion or scar wax to your cheeks and forehead, painting over them with red and brown makeup to simulate fresh, angry scratches.
- 6
Put on the nightgown, tie the white fabric straps loosely around your wrists, and mess up your hair using hairspray or texturizing spray.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair to look greasy, tangled, and matted using texturizing spray, dry shampoo, or actual hair gel. For makeup, focus on pale, sickly skin, dark sunken eyes, chapped lips painted with a nude or white concealer, and realistic red scratches across the face.
Regan MacNeil for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Father Merrin in a black cassock, Roman collar, and a trench coat holding a crucifix.
- group
- Form a group with Father Merrin, Father Karras, and a possessed Regan, complete with a DIY cardboard headboard prop.
- kids
- A simplified version for kids using a clean, non-bloody floral nightgown and light, non-scary pale face makeup.
- Plus size
- Look for oversized vintage-style flannel or cotton nightgowns which offer a comfortable, screen-accurate fit.
Tips
- Keep a small bottle of green-colored water (using food dye) as a fun, optional prop to simulate the 'vomit' effect for photos.
- Wear warm layers like skin-toned leggings and a tank top underneath the nightgown, as thin vintage nightgowns can get cold.
- Practice your best creepy, unblinking stare and head tilt to bring the character to life in photos.
Regan MacNeil costume FAQ
- What kind of nightgown does Regan wear in The Exorcist?
- Regan wears a light blue or pale pink long-sleeved nightgown with a subtle floral pattern, typical of 1970s children's sleepwear.
- How do you make fake vomit for the Exorcist costume?
- You can use green fabric paint, or mix green and yellow acrylic paint with liquid latex for a textured, 3D vomit effect on the nightgown.
- Is the Regan MacNeil costume comfortable?
- Yes, because the main outfit is a loose-fitting nightgown, it is highly comfortable and easy to wear for long periods.
Did you know? The 'vomit' used on set during the filming of the 1973 movie was actually thick Andersen's pea soup mixed with a little oatmeal.