Posts Tagged ‘Iconic Beauty’

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Oscars Special: Ten Most Beautiful and Iconic Hair & Makeup Looks of All Time

Since obviously all these looks are timeless, I thought I would bring this post back to life in homage of the Oscars tomorrow. Enjoy!

In honor of the Oscars tomorrow, as a huge movie buff, I thought I would count down the ten most beautiful and iconic hair and makeup looks of all time. My original thinking was I would include at least one trendsetting movie star from each decade – Madonna from Desperately Seeking Susan(1985), Julie Roberts from Pretty Woman (1990), Rooney Mara from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), etc. But when I started making my list I realized I just couldn’t spare a spot for these women. I had to make my decisions based solely on beauty and influence, and find the movies that made the actresses into style icons.

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1. Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1954): You have no idea how hard it was for me to choose the order of the Top 5. Each actress is just so breathtaking and has had such an influence on trends throughout the years. But come on, I had to give the number one spot to Grace Kelly in Rear Window. She is the dictionary definition of classic beauty. You can tell how much Hitchcock was in love with her by her first scene in the movie. The camera has a love affair with her classic features, slowly focusing in as she leans in towards Jimmy Stewart, her perfectly coiffed blond hair and eyebrows, and that bold red lip we see all over the runways and celebrities today.

2. Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961): Let's face it -- Audrey was beautiful in every movie, but her look in Breakfast in Tiffany's made her forever a style icon. I remember the scene when she's getting ready for Sing Sing... Watching her put on her makeup and style her hair was a milestone for me becoming the beauty addict I am today.

3. Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974) and Bonnie and Clyde (1967): Since this is my blog, I don't have to chose! You can't make me! She was so stunning in both. Chinatown: it's tough to make those skinny eyebrows work,but she rocked this period look in the dark Roman Polanski Film Noir.

Bonnie & Clyde: Faye Dunaway is probably most famous for this role as Bonnie alongside Warren Beatty's Clyde. Celebrities and fashionistas are still trying to copy her perfect bob. They just don't make beauties like her anymore.

4. Sophia Loren in... EVERYTHING! There's no way to pick one specific movie that defined Ms. Loren's status as a style goddess. She's had such enormous influence over what we consider sexy. Just look at Guess and Dolce & Gabbana ads or our modern day versions of Ms. Loren, Sofia Vergera and Eva Mendes. Quoting Ms. Loren, "Where youthful beauty is unconscious, mature beauty is knowing and sophisticated." Yep, she's still got it.

5. Brigitte Bardot in A Very Private Affair (1962): Brigitte Bardot started the sexy bed hair trend. I love the teased crown with the whispy bangs. I wanted to make sure I showed a nice color close-up also so you can take full advantage of her kitten-lined eyes and coral-painted lascivious lips.

6. Pam Grier in Foxy Brown (1974). It's tough to get sexier than Pam Grier. Love the big afro (which is obviously still a huge trend today) with the flawless skin and rosy cheeks. Just gorgeous!

7. Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2007): Okay, I know it's not the best movie, but Angie's sex kitten look launched millions of lip injections and hair extensions. Who doesn't want to look like a seductress?

8. Julie Christie in Shampoo (1975): For those of you beauty addicts who have not seen this movie, you need to immediately get it on Netflix. Warren Beatty gives Julie Christie's character a game-changing haircut, making her the envy of all of Beverly Hills. To give you an idea of the impact her haircut still has today, famed Hair Stylist Chris McMillan said that Julie Christie's hair in Shampoo was one of his inspirations for cutting Jennifer Aniston's bob.

9. Kim Basinger in L.A.Confidential (1997): Her character Lynn Bracken was supposed to look like famous stunner Veronica Lake. And just like Bud White says to Lynn in the movie, "You look better than Veronica Lake."

10. Kristen Stewart in The Twilight Sage: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 (2011): Call me ugly names, I don't care. I love the Twilight series. Stewart's Bella Swan, walking down the aisle in her romantic updo and subtle makeup using a soft palette, inspired hundreds of "How To's" in magazines, blogs, and TV shows.