The big screen has offered some of culture’s most memorable beauty moments; from Audrey Hepburn’s doe-eyed liner in Funny Face to Marilyn Monroe’s red lips in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Offering both a look into the key beauty trends of the film’s era and a measure for timeless beauty from some of Hollywood’s greats, taking your make up cue from the cinema is an age-old tradition. We look at the best in beauty looks for a contemporary occasion.
Golden Age Grooming
Lauren Bacall’s immaculately coiffured hair in The Big Sleep offers a masterclass in sleek waves. The flattering mid-length makes it suitable for a range of hair length styling and perfectly frames a heart shaped face. The feminine waves are offset by the well-manicured arch of the brow: a must for any contemporary beauty look.
Eyes On
Audrey Hepburn’s unforgettable style in Funny Face inspired generations of women. This make up look is precise, flattering and timeless. With well-groomed brows and a thick line of liquid eyeliner enhanced by long lashes, this is a beautifully neutral make up look. Enhanced by the perfectly pulled back hair, this look ensures all eyes on you.
High Octane Glamour
There are few things as glamorous as a Bond Girl role, and Eva Green as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale perfected the modern bombshell. The dark smoky eyes against the full red lip are timelessly striking, kept sophisticated with a loose pulled back chignon. Uncompromisingly glamorous in a wardrobe of deep purples, dark greens and blacks, this is statement eveningwear at it’s finest.
1940’s Beauty
Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Janet Jackson have all paid tribute to Dorothy Dandridge’s iconic Carmen Jones look in the 1954 film. With luxurious curls, coral-red lips and nails and that unforgettable red rose, this is a glamour look for the ages. This is a beauty look that looks fantastic with warm jewel tones: reds, corals, burnt oranges and yellow.
Bold in Blonde
One of the original screen sirens, Kim Novak’s pulled black bleach blonde in Vertigo became an instant classic, copied by women all over the world. Once described as ‘hair as a piece of armour’, the power of this colour was essential to her character, and remains a go-to look for instant glamour to this day. Keeping her make up look tonal, with lightly smoky eyes and a subtle pink lip, lets the blonde do the talking.
Au Naturale
Inception (2010)
Marion Coutillard’s turn in Inception offered a modern day look at classic beauty. With loose, cropped wave hair and a palette of earthy tones and rich nudes, this is French Girl style for the 21st Century. Glamorous yet pared back, the tonal brown eyeshadows and subtle mascara offer a look that is both wearable and chic.
See more inspiration on the John Charles Pinterest here
