Clown Hairstyles: Fun and Frightening Ideas for Your Halloween Costume

Halloween is the perfect time to transform yourself into a character that brings laughter and fear, and few costumes achieve this duality better than the classic clown.

Whether you’re aiming for circus cheerful or horror-movie terrifying, your hairstyle plays a crucial role in completing your clown transformation.

Here are 20 show-stopping clown hairstyles that range from whimsical to nightmare-inducing, each with tips on achieving the look and who they’ll suit best.

Classic Rainbow Afro

The quintessential clown look features a giant, colorful afro wig that adds instant comedy and recognition.

Tips:

• Choose a high-quality synthetic afro wig in rainbow colors or a solid vibrant shade
• Fluff the wig with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb for maximum volume
• Secure with bobby pins and a wig cap for a comfortable fit all night

Best for: All face shapes; especially flattering for angular faces, as it adds softness

Pennywise-Inspired Orange Tufts

Channel the iconic horror clown with receding orange-red tufts of hair on either side of a bald cap.

Tips:

• Start with a quality bald cap and apply with spirit gum
• Attach orange or red hair pieces to the sides using wig glue
• Style the tufts upward and outward with strong-hold hairspray

Best for: Oval and long faces; works well for creating an elongated, eerie appearance

Split-Color Half and Half

A dramatic look with hair divided perfectly down the middle into two contrasting bright colors.

Tips:

• Use temporary color spray or clip-in colored hair pieces
• Create a perfectly straight center part before applying color
• Seal with hairspray to prevent color transfer

Best for: Square and oval faces; works with straight hair of any length past the chin

Cotton Candy Tease

A sky-high teased style in pink and blue pastels resembling cotton candy at a circus.

Tips:

• Backcomb hair thoroughly at the roots for maximum height
• Apply temporary color spray in sections, blending where colors meet
• Set with extra-strong hairspray and add glitter spray for sparkle

Best for: Round and heart-shaped faces; works best with medium to thick hair

Crazy Cone Pigtails

Multiple small cone-shaped pigtails pointing in all directions for a chaotic, cartoonish look.

Tips:

• Section hair into 6-8 parts around the head
• Twist each section into a cone shape and secure with colorful elastics
• Apply colored hairspray to each cone for a multi-colored effect

Best for: All face shapes; works with medium to long hair

Twisted Jester Points

Three or four twisted points extending upward, reminiscent of a medieval court jester’s hat.

Tips:

• Create 3-4 ponytails on top of the head
• Twist each ponytail and secure with a wire to maintain an upright position
• Cover with colorful fabric or apply temporary color

Best for: Oval and long faces; works with all hair types of medium to long length

The Balding Clown

A humorous take with a horseshoe pattern of colorful hair around a bald center.

Tips:

• Use a bald cap to cover the top of the head
• Apply bright-colored temporary hair color to the remaining hair in a U-shape
• Style the colored sections into tufts or spikes

Best for: Round and square faces; works with all hair types

Circus Ringmaster Curls

Voluminous, dramatic curls in rich red or purple that frame the face like a lion’s mane.

Tips:

• Use a small-barrel curling iron for tight, bouncy curls
• Tease at the roots for extraordinary volume
• Apply a temporary color spray once styled

Best for: Oval and heart-shaped faces; works best with naturally thick or curly hair

Green Slime Drip

A horror-inspired style where neon green hair appears to be dripping down like toxic slime.

Tips:

• Apply hair gel liberally through the lengths
• Mix green temporary color with clear hair gel for a dripping effect
• Create pointed sections at the ends for a more dramatic drip

Best for: All face shapes; works with medium to long straight hair

Pompom Mini Buns

Multiple small, round buns are placed all over the head, each one a different bright color.

Tips:

• Section hair into 8-12 parts
• Create small buns with each section and secure with elastics
• Apply a different colored spray to each bun

Best for: Round and square faces; works with medium to long hair

Electric Shock Spikes

Hair styled to stand straight up as if the clown has received an electric shock, perfect for a mad clown character.

Tips:

• Apply a strong-hold gel to damp hair
• Use a blow dryer while directing hair upward
• Secure with extreme-hold hairspray and add white or colored tips

Best for: Oval and diamond faces; works best with short to medium hair

Two-Tone Victory Rolls

Vintage-inspired victory rolls in two contrasting colors create a retro clown vibe.

Tips:

• Create two front victory rolls using a rat (hair donut) for structure
• Apply a different colored spray to each roll
• Keep the back sleek or add a contrasting third color

Best for: Square and round faces; works with shoulder-length or longer hair

Sad Clown Droopy Pigtails

Low, drooping pigtails that enhance the melancholy aesthetic of a tragic clown character.

Tips:

• Part hair down the middle and create two low pigtails
• Use gel to slick down the top for a “wet” appearance
• Add blue temporary color for extra sadness

Best for: Oval and heart-shaped faces; works with medium to long hair

Spiral Unicorn Horn

A single twisted cone of hair rising from the top of the head, perfect for a fantasy-inspired clown.

Tips:

• Gather hair into a high ponytail at the crown
• Twist and wrap around a cone-shaped form
• Secure with bobby pins and apply a rainbow temporary color

Best for: All face shapes; works best with long hair

Creepy Antique Doll Curls

Perfectly formed ringlets with a center part create an unsettling, old-fashioned doll appearance.

Tips:

• Create a precise middle part
• Use a small-barrel curling iron for tight ringlets
• Apply setting lotion before curling for lasting hold

Best for: Round and heart-shaped faces; works with medium to long hair

Neon Dreadlock Extensions

Temporary colorful dreadlock extensions create a modern, alternative clown look.

Tips:

• Attach clip-in synthetic dreadlock extensions in bright colors
• Mix colors for maximum impact
• Arrange in a half-up style to show off the full color spectrum

Best for: Oval and long faces; works with all hair types

The Harlequin Diamond Pattern

Hair styled in alternating diamond-shaped sections of contrasting colors creates a traditional harlequin pattern.

Tips:

• Section hair into diamond patterns using small clear elastics
• Apply alternating colors to each section
• Secure with a strong-hold hairspray

Best for: Oval and square faces; works best with straight hair

Balloon Animal Twists

Hair twisted into shapes resembling balloon animals creates a playful, circus-inspired look.

Tips:

• Create multiple thin ponytails
• Twist each one into loops resembling balloon animal shapes
• Secure with colorful bobby pins and apply matching colored spray

Best for: All face shapes; works with long, flexible hair

Melting Ice Cream Cone

Hair styled upward into a point with “dripping” colorful ends creates the illusion of a melting ice cream cone.

Tips:

• Gather hair into a high, pointed ponytail
• Apply different colored sprays in drip patterns down the length
• Add gel to the colored sections for a wet, melting appearance

Best for: Round and heart-shaped faces; works with medium to long hair

Shadow Clown Ombré

A dark-to-light gradient starting with black at the roots fading to white or pale blue creates an eerie, shadowy clown aesthetic.

Tips:

• Apply black temporary color at the roots
• Blend outward to white or pale blue at the ends
• Style in loose waves for a ghostly effect

Best for: All face shapes; most dramatic on naturally light hair

Send in the Clowns: Making Your Hairstyle Last Through the Night

When creating your perfect clown hairstyle, remember that Halloween nights can be long and active. To ensure your creation stays intact:

1. Build a Strong Foundation: Always start with day-old hair rather than freshly washed for better grip and hold.
2. Double Up on Products: Layer your styling products—apply mousse before blow-drying, then hairspray after styling, and finally a touch of hair wax for detailed areas.
3. Test Before the Big Night: Especially when using temporary colors or complex structures, do a trial run to ensure the look works and to perfect your technique.
4. Consider Your Comfort: Some of these styles can be heavy or tight. Make sure your creation is comfortable enough to wear for several hours.
5. Emergency Kit: Pack bobby pins, extra hairspray, and a small mirror for quick fixes throughout the night.

Whether you’re aiming for belly laughs or spine chills with your clown costume this Halloween, the right hairstyle will elevate your look from simple costume to show-stopping character.

From the circus big top to the horror movie screen, these 20 clown hairstyles offer something for every type of clown persona you wish to embody. Just remember—a great clown is always remembered long after they’ve left the ring, so make your hairstyle as memorable as your performance!