9 Celeb-Approved Ways to Rock Retro Beauty
From DIYs and dresses to style blogs and our never-ending obsession with Mad Men, we’ll never get over the glam and glitz of Old Hollywood. There’s something about imagining ourselves as classic beauties alongside the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn that makes us sparkle. So many of our fave celebs are all about bringing vintage beauty tricks into the present, and we definitely approve. Scroll on for the best looks and the products you can use to steal their style.
In this throwback coat and neatly braided updo, Kate Bosworth makes us think of soft, early Hollywood femininity. (Photo via @katebosworth)
Benetint Cheek + Lip Stain by Benefit ($30): You too can look flushed and girlish thanks to this easy-to-use stain by Benefit. Just dab on your lips and cheeks, blend with your fingers and hit the town.
2. Gina Rodriguez: Sparkling Lipgloss
Remember when all you wanted to do was rock the sparkliest lipgloss in the bunch? Happier, more sparkly days are among us: With retro glitz comes the perfect excuse to rock glitzy gloss on the daily. (Photo via @hereisgina)
Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer ($30): Get high-shine color with this light-reflecting gloss. It’s available in every color, from your new fave nude to the plum we’re all raving about this fall, so be sure to stock up.
3. Lana Del Rey: Full Lips
Though beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, one way to give old-school beauty a nod is by stepping up your pout. No one does retro glam quite like Lana Del Rey, and her pucker can give even the best set of lips a run for their money. Get this soft look with ease. (Photo via @lanadelrey)
Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme ($28): When lipstick isn’t enough, pump up your pout with a reliable lip plumper like this one by Too Faced. Its colorless formula works perfectly with any lipstick or gloss (even nude!), so your pucker will never have to go without.
4. Cara Delevingne: Dark Brows + Sleek Locks
Known for her flawless brows, Cara goes to the dark side in this ’70s-inspired look. The effect is just a bit unkempt in all of the right ways. The messy brows balance well with her sleek but still tousled locks. (Photo via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Bold Brow Kit ($36): An undeniable cult classic, this brow kit from the eyebrow geniuses over at Anastasia Beverly Hills includes everything you need to get Cara-worthy brows.
Matrix Total Results Sleek Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil ($19): Get sleek locks with this olive oil-infused smoothing oil. Its anti-frizz properties are just what you need to get healthy-looking hair. Part hair down the middle to keep the ’70s vibe.
5. Nicki Minaj: Killer Cat Eye
Nicki is all about a bold eye and is rarely seen without her signature cat eye. Even without her sparkling outfit, her makeup is a definite nod to old-school glitz. (Photo via @nickiminaj)
Lancome Artliner 24H ($30): Line eyes tightly and with ease thanks to this long-lasting liquid liner. The pointed brush tip makes it super simple to create the perfect cat eye.
Mac Carbon Eyeshadow ($16): Lock in your cat eye (because we all know how impossible it is to fix a smudged wing) by going over the liner once it dries with a black eyeshadow. Use a thin eyeliner brush with an angled tip and dab gently, following your original line.
6. Poppy Delevingne: Soft, Natural Skin
Take a cue from Poppy and try out a soft, natural look. Even if you can’t get your skin to be quite so clear naturally, you can copy this look with the right tools.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm ($34): This super light BB cream creates the illusion of clear skin and even minimizes the appearance of pores. Plus, it has SPF!
Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel ($48): This gel-mousse formula works wonders if you need a little more coverage. It’s infused with vitamins A and E, which protect skin from free-radical damage. Thanks to the Smart Color Technology, it’s easy to get the right shade, so you won’t have to worry about any mask effects.
7. Jourdan Dunn: Neat, Natural Brows
Natural brows may have gone in and out of style over time, but many classic beauties rocked their unique brow shapes, regardless of any trends. (Photo via @officialdunn)
Tweezerman Mini Brow Rescue Kit ($25): Embrace your natural brow with a tiny brow kit. Grab any little guys that decide to take a trip down to your eyelids, while letting your overall shape be free.
8. Janelle Monáe: Luminous Cheekbones
Here’s a throwback to the times before matte complexions hit the scene. Well-lit cheekbones draw attention to your unique facial structure and bring the eye up to your own dazzling pair, highlighting your wicked retro-winged liner. (via @janellemonae)
Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer ($26): Reach your glow goals with a gorgeous highlighter like this one from Josie Maran. We are huge fans of the infused argan oil and versatility of this product. You can use it alone, mix it with your moisturizer or foundation, or just layer it on for a healthy look.
9. Solange: Classic Red Lip
It’s pretty much impossible to talk about retro beauty without talking about the oh-so-classy red lip. We love Solange’s look because it embodies so much classic beauty: bold brows, luminous, soft skin and a perfect pucker. (Photo via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)
Bite Beauty VIB Rouge Créme Lipstick ($28): The trickiest part to finding a good red lipstick is hunting down one that isn’t going to fade or dry out your mouth. This creamy formula hydrates due to a smart mixture of pigments, powders and oils.
Burberry Lip Definer Lip Shaping Pencil ($30): Give any lipstick extra staying power and define your lips with this high-pigment pencil. You can use it to prime lips for an extra layer of red by filling in your entire lip shape and applying lipstick as a top-coat.
What are your favorite old school looks? Let us know in the comments!
