Despite the prevalence of #BeautyTok and YouTube makeup tutorials, the enduring legacy of the screen sirens of yore on all things beauty persists. Even today, many still look to these glamorous and flawless icons for guidance on achieving fluttery eyes, plump, pouty, red lips, and beyond. Want in on their beauty secrets? Turn to this guide for tips that have stood the test of time – perfect for your next Old Hollywood-inspired glam session.
1. Plump Your Pout
Part of Marilyn Monroe’s trademark pin-up girl aesthetic was her full, crimson lips. The secret, according to Marilyn’s makeup artist, Whitey Snyder, was applying different shades of lipstick to create dimension.
Gene London, an expert on the Hollywood icon, adds, “Her pout was created with five different varieties of lipstick and gloss: darker reds on the outer corners, lighter shades in the middle to lend dimension, with a highlighted Cupid’s bow and bottom lip.”
Optionally, you can further enhance your pout following these steps: Apply your favourite shade of red, then gently place a piece of tissue on your lips. Next, take a brush dipped in loose powder and lightly tap it on the tissue against your lips to lock in the colour.
Vivian Leigh, famed for her role in Gone With the Wind, also had a unique lip-plumping method. Conscious about her thin bottom lip, she used a liner to draw slightly outside her natural lip, creating the illusion of added volume. Feel free to try this technique and see if it works for you!
2. Keep Lashes Long and Clump-free
Audrey Hepburn’s beauty, characterised by her striking doe eyes and long Bambi lashes, remains a source of inspiration for many. What’s less known is the extent of her dedication to maintaining those long and impeccable lashes. Rumour has it that she used a safety pin to separate each lash after applying mascara. Yikes!
You can follow suit (if you want to run the risk of poking yourself blind), or you can turn to safer beauty secrets to ensure clump-free lashes. Before applying mascara, use a primer to prep your lashes and prevent smudging. Make sure to lightly wiggle the wand as you apply for a more even layer, ensuring a flawless finish.
3. Glamourise Your Eyes
Few characters are as iconic as Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. With a look so expertly crafted, who would have thought the actress herself did her makeup for the film?
She once told designer Michael Kors in an interview for Harper’s Bazaar, “When I was younger, for a long time, I didn’t wear any makeup in films. When I did start to wear makeup, I always did it myself.”
If Liz can transform into an ancient Egyptian queen by the work of her own hands, so can you! To get that iconic glam look, follow these simple steps:
- Apply blue eyeshadow to the outer corner of the lids and blend inwards near the centre of the lid.
- Line your lower eyelid with a white pencil and top it off with a black liquid liner.
- Apply liquid liner to the upper lid.
- Add two Cleopatra wings from the corner of each eye, stroking the lower wing slightly downwards and beyond the natural end of your brow.
- Apply layers of black mascara and finish with a light touch of gold shadow on the upper lid line.
4. Contour Like a Royal
Contrary to popular belief, Kim Kardashian didn’t invent the concept of contouring. American actress and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly was the contouring pioneer, mastering the technique long before it became a trend. Veering away from the harsh lines and colours of her time, she opted for neutral shades that complemented and enhanced her natural features.
To channel her timeless beauty, consider a two-shade approach. Apply a bright pink blush on the apples of your cheeks and a bronzer in the hollows for a seamless and sculpted look.
5. Tap Into the Power of Petroleum Jelly
Another beauty secret from early cinema self-care mavens involves good old petroleum jelly. Makeup primer wasn’t available until the late 20th century, so Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo and Marilyn Monroe used petroleum jelly on their eyelids before applying eyeshadow.
Doris Day took it further, incorporating petroleum jelly into her monthly bedtime routine. After slathering the product all over her body, she put on pyjamas, socks, and gloves to lock in moisture, waking up to soft, luscious skin. Meanwhile, Bette Davies maintained her glow by placing cucumber slices over her eyelids and applying a layer of petroleum jelly under the eyes.
6. Raid Your Kitchen (for Beauty Ingredients)
Cucumbers aren’t the only ingredient you can use to achieve a glow-up. If you’re still wondering how to get perfect skin, consider raiding your kitchen pantry. Italian screen siren Sophia Loren maintained her soft, luminous complexion by adding a few splashes of olive oil to her bath. Besides soaking in it, she consumed at least two tablespoons daily as part of her Mediterranean diet.
Rita Hayworth, known for her red lustrous mane, also applied olive oil to her hair, followed by a rinse with lemon juice. Meanwhile, Joan Crawford washed her hair with raw eggs, a DIY technique she learned from Katharine Hepburn. But it’s Joan Blondell’s facial treatment that takes the cake – or rather, the curd. The ‘30s actress applied cottage cheese on her face to maintain an effervescent complexion.
Silent film actress Gloria Swanson also shared her best-kept secret in an interview with Weekly World News. She emphasised the importance of vegetables, sharing, “I apply them on my face and make sure I eat them regularly. As far as I’m concerned, there is no beauty product better than raw vegetables.”
7. Captivate With a Beautiful Smile
The 1920s and 1930s marked a low point in oral health due to easy access to sugar and a lack of emphasis on toothbrushing. This decline prompted stars like Joan Crawford and Judy Garland to remedy their oral conditions with fake teeth caps. Unfortunately, when it came to treating their teeth, these celebrities didn’t always have a lot of options.
The good news is modern technological advancements make the perfect Hollywood smile attainable for everyone, celebrity or otherwise. Take teeth straightening via ClearCorrect, for example. These aligners feature ClearQuartz, an industry-leading, tri-layer plastic material that offers comfort and clarity while maintaining durability.
The stars of Old Hollywood seem to glow through black-and-white motion pictures with their effervescent beauty and glamorous style. Even if they didn’t have modern-day tools and techniques, they made the most of simple yet innovative beauty secrets to maintain their flawless looks. On your next pampering session, follow these tips to transform into a classic silver-screen goddess!
References:
Boucher, C. (2018, August 2). My tea with Mae West. The Guardian.
Cadena, D. (2017, September 11). 20 old Hollywood beauty tips that will make you say WTF. BuzzFeed.
Dawson, M. (2017, March 18). How Judy Garland launched America’s quest for the perfect smile. New York Post.
Pike, N. (2023, February 27). 10 of Elizabeth Taylor’s Best-Kept beauty Secrets. British Vogue.
The New Movie Magazine (Jul-Dec 1932) : Weir, Hugh C. (Hugh Cosgro), 1884-1934, ed : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (1932, December 1). Internet Archive.
Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands. (n.d.-c).
