McDonald's Puts A Spooky Spin On Sauces

Spooky Sauces by Leo UK turns six of the brand's iconic sauces into face paint palettes

By Creative Salon

19 October 2026

McDonald’s and Leo UK are putting a spooky spin on Halloween makeup with “Spooky Sauces”, a new social-first campaign which includes turning six of McDonald’s iconic sauces into face paint palettes.

The collection features six sauce-inspired shades: Sweet N’ Spooky, Tomb-Mato Ketchup, Curry Cauldron, Boo-Boo-Q, Sweet Chills and Garlic MayOoOo. Each kit also includes a mirror, makeup brushes shaped like McDonald’s fries and a sponge inspired by a Chicken McNugget.

The campaign launched on Friday 16th October with a video across TikTok and Instagram, revealing the kit through a cinematic walkthrough. Shot against a velvet backdrop, the film uses spotlighting, close-up product shots, a spooky gloved hand and ASMR-style sound effects to bring the collection to life.

On Saturday 17 October, McDonald’s launched an Instagram competition giving fans the chance to win one of 100 Spooky Sauces face paint sets. Fans were invited to tag a friend and tell them which McDonald’s item they should transform into for Halloween.

Up until 31st October, the campaign will see McDonald's partner with a range of UK creators who will use the palette to create original Halloween looks inspired by the McDonald's menu, restaurant and packaging - inviting followers to follow the tutorial.

McDonald’s will further encourage participation by interacting with and reposting fan-created looks across its owned channels, inspiring more people to share their own interpretations of Spooky Sauces.

Ben Hooper, creative director at Leo UK, said: “Whether it's dipping fries or nuggs, we've all ended up with ketchup or sweet curry on our face. Usually by accident. So this Halloween, we’re making a look of it. From Tomb-Mato Ketchup to Boo-Boo-Q, we’re turning our sauces into spooky face paints so fans can swap their usual post-nugget mess for something properly frightening”

Ana Saffer, Marketing Manager - Digital, Comms, UK&I McDonald’s UK, said: “We all know and love our dips, but we’ve never seen them quite like this… we're looking forward to seeing our fans serve some iconic Maccies looks.”

Credits:

CAMPAIGN TITLE: SPOOKY SAUCES

CLIENT: MCDONALD’S UK&I

ADVERTISING AGENCY: LEO UK

CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER: ANDREW LONG

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: BEN HOOPER

SENIOR CREATIVE: SOPHIA TASSEW

JUNIOR CREATIVE: HANNAH LACEY

PLACEMENT CREATIVE: GEORGE DENNEY

PLANNER: KAREL KUMAR

BUSINESS LEAD: JAY PERRY

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR: LIAM SMITH