Old Hollywood glamour never goes out of style. (And frankly if it did, I would still be rocking my 1940's platform heels regardless!) The elegance, sophistication, and timeless vintage beauty of classic film icons continue to inspire modern makeup trends. Whether it’s Audrey’s doe eyes or Marilyn’s sultry red lips, these vintage looks remain as captivating today as they were decades ago. Here’s how you can bring a touch of that vintage glamour into your daily beauty routine! (Yay!) 

The Classic Beauty of Audrey Hepburn

The silver screen was graced by women whose vintage beauty routines have become legendary, leaving an indelible mark on the world of cosmetics and fashion. Audrey Hepburn epitomized understated elegance with her defined brows, fluttery lashes, and soft pink lips, creating a look that was both fresh and timeless. Her signature doe-eyed appearance was often complemented by her minimalist approach to beauty, focusing on enhancing natural features rather than masking them. To achieve her striking gaze, Audrey was known to separate her lashes with a safety pin after applying mascara, (steady hands please!) ensuring each lash stood out for a wide-eyed effect. She also favored a simple yet effective skincare routine, cleansing her face meticulously and moisturizing daily to maintain her flawless complexion. Hepburn’s makeup artist, Alberto de Rossi, would use a mix of brown and gray eyeshadows to subtly contour her eyes, enhancing their natural shape without overpowering them. Additionally, Audrey believed in the power of inner beauty—maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and leading a balanced lifestyle, which all contributed to her radiant, youthful appearance.

The Natural Elegance of Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly’s regal radiance, characterized by natural tones, flawless skin, and a subtle blush, gave her a sophisticated charm that remains timeless. She embraced a less-is-more philosophy, allowing her natural beauty to shine through with soft, neutral palettes that highlighted her ethereal elegance. Grace was known for her meticulous skincare routine, favoring gentle cleansing and hydration to maintain her porcelain complexion. She religiously applied rose water as a toner to keep her skin refreshed and glowing. For makeup, Grace preferred light foundation with a dewy finish and subtle pink blush to enhance her cheekbones, giving her a healthy, youthful appearance. Her lips were often painted in soft coral or pink shades, complementing her fair complexion without overpowering her delicate features. Grace’s signature vintage beauty look also included delicately defined eyes with minimal eyeliner and mascara, creating an effortlessly polished yet natural finish. Her beauty secrets reflected her aristocratic poise and continue to inspire those seeking a timeless, sophisticated look.

The Sultry Glamour of Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe, on the other hand, was the embodiment of sultry glamour, a classic vintage beauty with her bold red lips, winged eyeliner, and luminous, dewy skin. Her beauty secrets have been dissected and replicated for decades—from using petroleum jelly under her foundation for a radiant glow to applying five different shades of lipstick and gloss to create the illusion of fuller lips. Marilyn also emphasized contouring, subtly highlighting her cheekbones and jawline to enhance her facial structure, a technique that remains a staple in modern beauty routines. One of her lesser-known secrets was the use of white eyeliner on her waterline and the inner corners of her eyes, which made her eyes appear larger and more awake under the harsh studio lights. To achieve her signature glowing complexion, she would layer Vaseline beneath her foundation and finish with a light dusting of powder for a soft, diffused look that caught the light beautifully. Additionally, Marilyn’s makeup artist would strategically place a touch of blush at the tip of her nose and chin to give her face a more youthful, flushed appearance. Her beauty regimen extended beyond makeup—she reportedly enjoyed ice baths to keep her skin tight and used hormone cream to maintain a youthful glow, although this practice is not recommended today.

The Striking Vintage Beauty of Elizabeth Taylor

Other stars, like Elizabeth Taylor, brought their own unique flair to Hollywood glamour, setting new standards for beauty and style in the entertainment industry. Taylor was renowned not just for her acting talent, but also for her iconic look, which became a defining part of her persona. She was especially famous for her dramatic eye makeup, which she carefully crafted to accentuate her striking features. Her signature bold eyeliner became synonymous with her beauty, framing her eyes in a way that highlighted their natural intensity. What made her look even more mesmerizing were her violet hued eyes, which became one of her trademarks. But her vintage beauty regimen wasn’t limited to makeup alone—Taylor was also known for her meticulous grooming routine. She swore by the importance of maintaining flawless skin and often went to great lengths to achieve it. One of her most talked-about beauty secrets was her practice of shaving her face to exfoliate, a technique that not only helped her achieve smooth, radiant skin but also created the perfect canvas for makeup application. Taylor's dedication to maintaining her beauty, combined with her glamorous aesthetic, solidified her place as one of Hollywood's most iconic stars, whose image continues to inspire beauty trends to this day.

The Radiant Vintage Beauty of Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth’s vintage beauty routine was a blend of dedication and natural care, which contributed to her timeless, radiant look. She maintained her luscious red hair with nourishing oil treatments that kept it shiny and soft while avoiding harsh chemicals to preserve its health. Hayworth believed in the power of hydration, drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep her skin glowing and dewy, and often incorporated facial oils to lock in moisture. Regular gentle exfoliation helped her achieve a smooth, fresh complexion, while she also protected her skin from sun damage by using sunscreen or oils with SPF. Rest and sleep were essential for Hayworth, as she understood their role in rejuvenating her skin and maintaining a youthful appearance. While Rita was known for her striking looks on-screen, she was relatively minimalistic when it came to makeup. Her signature look was a flawless, natural glow with subtle enhancements—highlighting her best features. For example, she often opted for soft red or coral lips, which complemented her hair color, and subtle eyeliner to accentuate her eyes. She believed in the power of enhancing her natural beauty rather than masking it. Rita Hayworth maintained an ageless beauty that continues to inspire today.

The Femme Fatale Allure of Lauren Becall

Lauren Bacall captivated audiences with her sultry, smoldering look, a unique combination of striking features and magnetic presence that left an indelible impression on the silver screen. Her signature vintage beauty look was defined by her arched eyebrows and deep-set eyes, which conveyed both strength and vulnerability, drawing viewers in with a single glance. Bacall’s makeup routine was integral to creating her iconic persona, often focusing on matte finishes that enhanced her natural features while maintaining a sense of understated elegance. Bold lip colors were a central element of her look, with a preference for rich, earthy tones—deep reds, warm browns, and sultry plum shades—that perfectly complemented her distinctive husky voice and mysterious allure. This understated yet powerful makeup style not only elevated her beauty but also reinforced her enigmatic, femme fatale image, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most captivating and enduring stars. Her carefully curated appearance was more than just a beauty routine; it was an extension of her persona, a visual reflection of the strength and complexity that defined her characters both on-screen and in real life.

These styles of Hollywood icons weren’t just fleeting trends—they were statements of confidence and grace that transcended time. From the meticulously styled waves of Marilyn Monroe to the bold, dramatic eyes of Audrey Hepburn, these timeless vintage beauty ideals became symbols of elegance and sophistication. Their influence was not confined to a single era; rather, they shaped the way beauty was perceived for generations, setting a standard of glamour and refinement that has been passed down through the ages. These iconic looks became benchmarks for female beauty, inspiring both the fashion and makeup industries to elevate their art and push boundaries in new, innovative ways. Today, their impact continues to resonate in the world of beauty, where makeup enthusiasts, influencers, and professionals alike blend these classic elements with modern techniques to create looks that are both nostalgic and fresh. The enduring appeal of these Hollywood icons lies in the balance they struck between timeless elegance and contemporary edge—proof that true beauty knows no expiration date and remains ever relevant in our pursuit of grace and allure.