May 10

May 10 Golden Hollywood: The Makeup Edition

To get an authentic pin up, vintage look - makeup plays a big role. Everything from the right shade of lipstick, the curl of an eyelash, to how winged your eyeliner is can transform your look into full blown Golden Hollywood Retro Babe.

First, find your inspiration! Are you trying to exude the effortlessly, unfussy glamour of Carol Lombard? The fierce beauty of Pam Grier? The show-stopping glam of Marilyn, Sophia, Dorothy? Here are three of my favorite Golden Hollywood inspirations and their beauty tips and tricks!

Darling like Dorothy Dandridge

Eyebrows with a defined arch. Full but well groomed.
Black Eyeliner and neutral eye shadow
Dorothy favored bold, orangey-red lipsticks
She also drew small beauty marks on her face occasionally

This Carmine Lipstick from Besame (a Vintage Lover's favorite brand) is a true replica of a shade from 1931. It's a glam orange-red, with mostly orange pigments. Perfect for golden and olive skin tones, bright and beautiful on light skin too. A semi-matte finish with one coat full coverage.

For Dorothy's dewy skin - try Lancôme Absolue Cream Foundation in your shade. For Dorothy's glam and gorgeous eyelashes - try Besame's 1940 Cream Mascara. Try Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eyeliner Pencil for a Beauty Mark ala Dandridge!

Gorgeous and Dreamy like Gene Tierney

Gene Tierney had those mesmerizing blue eyes, that adorable overbite, full lips, high cheekbones and overall porcelain, elegant look. For a dazzling, Gene look:

Foundation: A similar color to your skin
Powder: Loose powder to match your skin
Cream Rouge (not powder, unless that is all you can get) in a rose-pink shade
Eyebrow Pencil: One shade darker than hair color
Eye Shadow (optional, for evenings) match eye color, use a matte finish (no shimmer!)
Mascara: Dark brown or black, or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) only
Matte RED lipstick

Besame's Cashmere Powder Compact will give your skin a luminous shine like Gene's.

This stunning 1930 replica of Raspberry Delicate Rouge will make cheekbones rosy and oh so lovely a la Tierney. Try Besame's Red Velvet Lipstick and L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise to capture Gene's long, feminine lashes.