There’s just something about a well-executed costume. When you can tell that thought, time, and effort went into it, it’s just that much better. And the secret to having a killer costume? Pay attention to the details.

Whether you buy a ready-made costume at one of the Halloween stores that pop up this time of year or make it yourself (kudos to you!), how you do your hair can be a make-or-break element of your costume that may be overlooked.

Stand out by making your hair not just a nice addition to your costume, but the center of attention!

Daenerys Targaryen, First of Her Name

Game of Thrones may be taking a year off from airing any new episodes, but the fandom has far from cooled. Make your Khaleesi costume rise above the rest by paying special attention to getting your hair just right.

In order to pull off the signature Daenerys look, you don’t need to copy her exact style from the show, but capture the essence of her braids-and-flowing-curls look, whether you opt for the half-up or all-up style (choose based on which costume you’re wearing!).

This will require most of us to wear a wig, unless you already have long platinum locks or are willing to take the bleach plunge. Don’t skimp on the quality of your wig, either. A cheaply made wig will look like just that, and could bring down the overall look instead of adding to it.

Not Your Ordinary Cat Ears

There’s bound to be at least one other cat at the Halloween party. A cat costume can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it, is a classic, and can be an opportunity to show off all the time you’ve been putting into your hot yoga class.

So how do you go about not disappearing in the crowd? Opt for a different style of ears. While everyone else will be wearing the same cat-ear headband, style your hair into triangle-shaped buns instead!

It’s not as daunting as it may sound at first. Just look for flexible rods that you use to curl your hair to use as a mold to wrap your hair around, and voilá!

Wonder Woman. Enough Said.

Wonder Woman may have been released over a year ago, but we’re still over the moon about how badass Gal Gadot was as the iconic superhero. She not only took down the bad guys, but rocked some seriously awesome hair while doing so.

Soft waves and long layers are key here, which puts this style at possibly the lowest-key one on this list. The great part about this? If your waves start to look a little less than polished, you’ll look even more like you just came from saving the world.

Just don’t forget the iconic Wonder Woman tiara, and you’re all set!

Unicorn Hair

Unicorns have been in everything! From our clothes to our hair to the food and drinks that we consume, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a unicorn-inspired something.

This costume gives you full license to play. Whether you have that perfect soft pastel unicorn hair already, or are using clip-ins or temporary dye, go wild with the pinks, blues, and purples. Break out the glitter hair spray, and don’t hold back.

The more over-the-top you go with shimmer, jewels, and color, the better. It’s all about the super-fantastical when you’re channeling this mythical, majestic creature.

Black Panther

Don’t completely shy away from this one because you aren’t ready to shave your head. While no one can deny how incredibly fierce and strong Okoye, played impeccably by Danai Gurira, and the other women-warriors of the Dora Milaje looked with bare heads, it’s understandable if you’re not ready to take that plunge yet.

Channel that fiery intensity into braids with some eye-catching cuffs. We especially love the no-nonsense style of the faux-hawk look. Strong, regal, and stunning.

That being said, if you’re ready and willing and committed enough to your costume to shave your head, more power to you!

Queen Elizabeth II

Going for the sophisticated side of Halloween this year? If you’re taking on royalty like Queen Elizabeth II, the right hair is an absolute must.

Sleek and polished are the goals here, so start with a good blowout then follow with a low braided bun and some sparkly accessories to match your crown, or opt for some smooth curls styled in an updo. Any costume where you’re required to wear a crown is okay by us.

Go Forth and Conquer!

Now that you have your hair figured out for Halloween, practice, practice, practice! There’s nothing worse than getting ready for your big night out and having your hair be a disaster.

Maybe try out a few different styles that fit your costume, and practice the necessary skills so that everything goes smoothly the day of.

At the end of the day, dressing up for Halloween should be fun, so have a blast making your best accessory stand out!