Don’t Confuse Día de los Muertos with Halloween | Kahlovera Sets the Record Straight

Kahlovera (Judith Bautista) artist who specializing in Day of The Dead face painting. She talks about the difference of Day of the dead vs. Halloween. She further goes into details the importance of respecting the culture.
 
Kahlovera Website: kahlovera.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kahlovera/
 

Special Thanks: Model/Head Piece Designer: Loretta Vampz Photographer: Chris Gomez Model: Demonica Model: Dizzymslizzyy Model: Kemo The Blaxican Model: Erica Vaughn Model: Jon De La Torre Model: Jay Skye Manzo Props/Wardrobe/Set Designer: Ricardo Soltero Make-Up Assistant: Susie Q. 

Every fall, as orange decorations and spooky costumes hit the shelves, the lines between Halloween and Día de los Muertos often get blurred—but artist and cultural educator Kahlovera is here to clear things up.

In her latest video, the acclaimed makeup artist and sugar skull painter speaks candidly about the deep-rooted Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos—and why it should never be mistaken for Halloween.

“Día de los Muertos is not about fear, horror, or trick-or-treating,” Kahlovera says in her video. “It’s about love, remembrance, and honoring the souls who came before us. It’s sacred.”

Kahlovera, whose stunning sugar skull art has been featured in commercials and cultural campaigns, explains that the symbols—such as marigolds, ofrendas (altars), and calaveras—are meant to celebrate life and ancestry, not to scare.

Halloween, rooted in Western pagan traditions, is a night of costumes, candy, and thrills. But Día de los Muertos, which takes place on November 1st and 2nd, is a spiritual and family-centered event. It’s when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest—and when families welcome the spirits of loved ones home with food, flowers, and prayer.

Kahlovera uses her platform to educate through art. With each brushstroke of her iconic sugar skull designs, she emphasizes the cultural meaning and discourages casual costume appropriation.

“It’s not just face paint,” she adds. “It’s an offering. It’s memory made visible.”

Through her work and voice, Kahlovera reminds us that respecting tradition means understanding its roots—and honoring them with care.

Watch her full video to learn the true meaning of Día de los Muertos—and how you can celebrate it with authenticity and heart.