In a musical landscape where reinvention is key, Ed Sheeran’s foray into darker, edgier territory with “Bad Habits” struck a chord not just musically, but visually. The vampire-inspired theme of the video took fans and critics alike by surprise, showcasing a side of Sheeran that contrasted sharply with his signature earnest, acoustic-driven persona. The transformation didn’t just rest in the infectious beat or the out-of-character choreography—it was embodied in the makeup, the styling, and the sheer theatricality of Sheeran’s new look.

When it comes to reinvention, there’s no figure more iconic in rock and roll than David Bowie, whose shapeshifting alter egos, from Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, redefined what it meant to be a performer. Sheeran’s turn to the vampiric in “Bad Habits” feels like a nod to this tradition of artistic metamorphosis. But while Bowie’s transformations were celestial and androgynous, Sheeran’s choice feels more grounded in the visceral, the primal, and the macabre.

The Roots of the Vampiric Aesthetic in Pop Culture

To understand why Sheeran’s vampire look feels so striking, we must consider the broader history of the vampire in pop culture. The vampire has always symbolized a collision of beauty and horror—a creature that exists in the twilight between life and death, alluring yet dangerous. Bram Stoker’s Dracula solidified the vampire as a figure of gothic elegance, while later incarnations, from Interview with the Vampire to Twilight, imbued it with both sexual tension and existential torment. By choosing this motif for “Bad Habits,” Sheeran taps into a rich, gothic lineage of storytelling that mirrors the song’s themes of temptation and regret.

Like many before him, Sheeran isn’t just playing dress-up; he’s leaning into the vampire’s inherent contradictions. Vampires are creatures of habit—immortal beings cursed with repetitive, destructive cycles, forever indulging in their bad habits. The metaphor is sharp, direct, and resonates with the song’s lyrical content.

Pale, Ghostly Skin: The Canvas of the Undead

In Sheeran’s transformation, it all starts with the skin. Gone is the healthy glow of a pop star in his prime, replaced by the chilling pallor of a vampire. The makeup artists responsible for this transformation employ a light-toned foundation to drain all warmth from Sheeran’s complexion. His skin becomes a blank, porcelain canvas—evoking the lifeless quality of the undead while also offering a stark contrast to the rest of the makeup design. This ghostly skin not only signifies the absence of life but also reflects the cold, detached persona Sheeran takes on in the video.

There’s an eerie beauty in this pallor, reminiscent of the ethereal beings in films like The Hunger or Only Lovers Left Alive. The makeup’s smooth finish gives Sheeran an unearthly, almost statuesque presence. It’s a departure from his boy-next-door image, creating a sense of otherworldliness that permeates the entire performance.

Dark, Smoky Eyes: Windows to the Soul

Eyes are often said to be the windows to the soul, but in Sheeran’s “Bad Habits,” his eyes are windows to something darker. The makeup here is heavy, almost theatrical in its intensity. Deep purples and blacks are blended to create a hollowed-out effect around his eyes, giving them an unnatural depth. The use of bold eyeliner elongates his gaze, lending a predatory sharpness to his features—a reminder that the vampire is, above all, a hunter.

This look has its roots in goth and glam rock aesthetics, with a nod to icons like Robert Smith of The Cure and Siouxsie Sioux. But while those artists used smoky eyes to express the melancholic and the rebellious, Sheeran’s makeup speaks of something more menacing—a vampiric hunger that underlies the song’s exploration of temptation.

The smoky eye isn’t just a cosmetic choice; it serves as a narrative device within the video. Throughout the video, Sheeran’s eyes become more pronounced, more intense, as he moves through the night, engaging in increasingly wild and reckless behavior. The eyes reflect the escalation of his bad habits—the deeper he sinks, the darker they become.

Blood-Red Lips: The Mark of Temptation

No vampire look is complete without blood-red lips, and Sheeran’s are no exception. The glossy crimson hue is a bold departure from his usual natural lip color, and it’s impossible to miss the symbolism. Red lips in this context aren’t just about seduction—they speak of hunger, of indulgence, and, of course, of blood.

The lips play a key role in the vampire mythos. They are the point of connection between predator and prey, between life and death. In “Bad Habits,” Sheeran’s red lips seem to mock the very idea of self-restraint. They glisten with temptation, a constant reminder of the song’s central message—bad habits are hard to break.

What makes the lips stand out even more is the contrast with the pale skin. In makeup terms, this is classic gothic beauty—taking elements of high fashion and twisting them into something darker. The red lips evoke the vampiric elegance of figures like Gary Oldman’s Dracula, while also nodding to the seductive danger of femme fatales in noir cinema. It’s beauty, but with a bite.

Sharp, Contoured Features: The Sculpting of an Immortal

Vampires are often depicted as having sharp, angular features, and Sheeran’s transformation leans heavily into this tradition. The strong contouring of his face gives him high cheekbones and a gaunt appearance, adding to the impression that he is not quite of this world. Dark bronzers and contouring powders are applied to hollow out his cheeks, creating a skeletal, haunted look that perfectly complements the rest of the makeup.

The emphasis on sharp features also serves a symbolic purpose. Vampires, after all, are defined by their fangs—their ability to cut, to pierce, to feed. By contouring his face in such a way, Sheeran’s makeup artists draw attention to the predatory aspects of the character. His face becomes a weapon, a tool of seduction and destruction.

Dark Nails and Accessories: The Final Flourish

No gothic look is complete without the right accessories, and Sheeran’s transformation doesn’t skimp on the details. His nails are painted in deep, dark hues—black and blood red, naturally—adding a final touch of drama to the ensemble. These nails, along with the gothic rings and earrings he wears throughout the video, help to ground the look in the modern gothic aesthetic.

These accessories are subtle, but they’re crucial. They help to flesh out the character, to make him more than just a man in makeup. Sheeran’s transformation isn’t just skin-deep; it extends to the smallest details, ensuring that every aspect of the look is cohesive and convincing.

A Bold, New Persona

For Sheeran, the vampiric transformation in “Bad Habits” isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about embodying a persona that aligns with the song’s themes. The vampire, as a creature of habit, is the perfect metaphor for someone trapped in a cycle of indulgence and regret. Sheeran’s decision to take on this role feels both unexpected and thrilling, marking a departure from the earnestness of his earlier work.

But this transformation also speaks to something deeper. In choosing a gothic, vampiric aesthetic, Sheeran taps into a rich vein of artistic history. He’s following in the footsteps of artists like Bowie and Madonna, who used visual transformation as a way of exploring new musical directions. With “Bad Habits,” Sheeran signals that he’s not afraid to take risks, to challenge his image, and to push his art into new, unexpected territories.

The vampiric look in “Bad Habits” is more than just makeup—it’s a statement. It’s a reminder that Ed Sheeran is an artist who is constantly evolving, willing to embrace the darkness in order to explore the complexities of the human condition. In this sense, the vampire becomes a fitting symbol for Sheeran’s own artistic journey—a creature of habit, perhaps, but always ready to surprise.