Marilyn, Grace, Audrey, Twiggy and Jackie O: women like these have set the standard of beauty for the past century that continues to perpetuate today. Of course, these standards can seem nearly impossible to meet for the modern girl, but with a little attention to the details of what made these faces so unforgettable, your look could go from tamed to timeless.
Marilyn Monroe: Red, Red Lips
Though she certainly wasn’t the first woman to slick on some cherry-tinted lipstick, Marilyn definitely pioneered the popularity of the look. Her red lips provided the perfect pop of color that accented her already alluring features, like her dyed blonde curls and flawless peachy complexion. Regardless of your hair color choice or skin tone, there is a red lipstick out there for you. And you don’t have to spend a ton of money; drugstore brands like Revlon ColorStay Lipstick are affordable and come in an array of shades. One tip to keep in mind: usually the darker your complexion is, the deeper the hue of the red should be (if you want to avoid looking too theatrical).
Grace Kelly: A Little Bun Goes A Long Way
Grace Kelly proved that you don’t have to constantly wear your hair down in cascading waves to be a beauty icon. If you want to make the kind of beauty statement that Princess Grace did, start by pulling your locks back into a bun, making sure to set aside any bangs or short pieces that didn’t make the cut. With that piece, use a curling iron to give the ends a slight bend, then lightly sweep the section of hair back towards the bun, securing it with a bobby pin.
Twiggy: Lashes Galore
You could take a really bold move and try out the signature pixie cut that made Twiggy a fashion fixture of the 60’s, but if you’re looking for a less risky way to channel the waif model, look no further than those thick lashes. You can achieve the look by slathering on at least three layers of your standard black mascara of choice (I recommend Maybelline Falsies Mascara, if you don’t want to worry about spending hours taking off your makeup at the end of the day). If you’re worried about caking mascara on your own lashes, you can buy a set of fake lashes to test out the look too. To add to the impact of your Twiggy eye, swipe a little dark shadow (anywhere in the range from dark brown to black works) in the crease under your brow bone.
Brigitte Bardot: Wing It
Brigitte Bardot’s name is pretty much synonymous with the term “French blonde bombshell.” But her hair color wasn’t the only thing that made her a beauty to be reckoned with; her winged eyeliner added instant allure to her brown eyes, and can do the same for your eyes too. Liquid liner works best for this look, but for a subtler look you can also use pencil liners. Swipe a thick layer of liner at the base of your eyelids, and when you reach the end of your lid, trace the line slightly upward.
Jackie O: Pretty in Pink
If you’re apprehensive about trying Marilyn’s bold red lips, you can take on the pink hues that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis frequently donned on her lips (which had to live in the shadow of her infamous pink Chanel suit) instead. But just like the reds, when searching for the right shade of pink, use your skin tone as a scale. Warm skin tones work well with rich pinks, like fuschia, while cooler tones should aim for the slightly darker pinks.