Movie makeup looks provide the beauty industry with a great deal of inspo! A makeup look worn by a popular movie character becomes a snapshot of what was trending in beauty at the time of the movie’s setting. This snapshot then becomes eternalized and embedded within the beauty industry, serving as a reference image that can be used time and time again to represent a certain era or trend that will always come back into fashion.
Uma Thurman’s character, Mia Wallace, in Pulp Fiction (1994) wears a classic 90s vampy makeup look with cropped black trousers, a loose-fit white shirt and Chanel loafers. This is now one of the most loved beauty and fashion looks in film history and continuous to be recreated, making the whole look timeless and permanently on trend.
For a breakdown of Mia Wallace’s look along with more popular looks from classic films, check out our article ‘Top 3 Movie Makeup Moments’. Without further ado we’ve put together a set of beauty and fashion breakdowns for a few more of the of the most stylish and iconic movie looks.
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
First up is obviously the most fashionable character ever; famed editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestly. She’s bold, daring, sophisticated, intimidating, powerful and kinda savage, and her makeup indeed captures all of these traits.
Her makeup is neutral and soft whilst still being very cool-toned and striking. Create her ‘looks that could kill’ eyes by applying a taupe shade eyeshadow (which can be found in any of the Naked palettes and dupes) all over the lid and focus particularly on defining and darkening the crease. Apply black eyeliner close to the top lash line and apply some mascara to add more definition and intensity.
Miranda pairs her intense cold stare with a peachy nude lipstick which compliments her skin tone in order to make the effect of the eyes more subtle and wearable for every day. This classic makeup, of course, goes well with all of Miranda’s high fashion, extravagant outfits like that luscious, velvety, emerald coloured coat with faux fur.
Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz in Clueless (1995)
Next is a character who’s always been in style and stands as the embodiment of trendy 90s fashion, Cher Horowitz. Her style has become truly iconic from her cute yellow plaid co-ord to her runway-worthy Calvin Klein slip dress. These outfits have become extremely popular in recent years so you can pretty much find very similar items in almost all high street stores.
Her makeup too is no disappointment as it’s clear she is inspired by the 90s supermodel look, with the soft brown eyeshadow and matching brown toned-nude lipstick and gloss. Apply a soft brown eyeshadow (this can be found in any neutral palette) all over the lid and tight line the eyes with a dark brown eyeliner for subtle definition. Next apply a rosy blush for Cher’s pretty pop of colour. Checkout Bourjois’s blush collection, they have a range of different shades to suit all skin tones. Finish the look with Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick which is appropriately named 1995, and was inspired by the classic 90s lip colour.
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)
We just had to finish with a classic Hollywood movie. Every single scene in Breakfast At Tiffany’s is iconic. Although the most famous first scene, with Holly Golightly peering into the Tiffany’s window in her probably even more famous black Givenchy dress, is absolutely mesmerising and one of the biggest moments in fashion, beauty, and film history, it’s been recreated so many times that we’ve decided instead to do a break down of a more underrated but equally as mesmerising look.
Due to this being a beauty break down, we thought it was appropriate to look at the ‘lipstick scene’ where we are able to clearly see Holly reapplying her signature peachy coral lipstick. Apply a cool-toned brown or taupe eyeshadow all of the lid and define the crease. Next use a black eyeliner to draw Holly’s classic winged eyes, and apply any pair of wispy lashes for more drama.
Moving onto the face, use a coral blush that matches the lipstick to add a rosy flush and also sculpt the cheekbones; this is such an off the runway look. Burburry’s Kisses Lipstick in the shade ‘Peach Delight’ is known as being the closest match to Holly’s soft coral lipstick, but we’ve found a much cheaper dupe for this. L’Oreal Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipstick in the shade ‘Pink-A-Porter’ is a soft corally pink which appears to be just as good a match.
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