Smile of a Silver Screen Star

In this post, tutorials will be given on how to achieve vintage lipstick looks with the help of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.

Before applying lip make up, you want your lips to be in good condition. If they seem a little dried out, you can exfoliate them gently with a wet cloth or tooth brush. Another tip is to begin regularly applying lip balm before bed.

Marilyn Monroe

Firstly, the famous retro lips!  This is the most Marilyn sported the full lip look very well. It is and iconic of the 1950’sand can turn most looks into appearing retro- inspired, if done correctly.

1. Line your lips a little over the natural lip line. This makes the lips look really full and ‘old Hollywood glamorous’. Make sure you line the full round cupids bow. Warning: You do NOT want this to be noticeable at all, just a teensy bit past the natural line.
2. Fill your lips with the liner in a shade that matches the red lipstick of choice.
3. Apply lipstick to cover the lips entirely, in brush or stick form.
4. Lips should be blended perfectly. Lip gloss can be applied over for a glossy shine or left matte, Marilyn was seen wearing both on separate occasions. If liner is obviously too over-drawn, it is advisable to start from scratch, better no lip stick rather than clown make-up!

Extra tip: Sweeping a light, neutral coloured eye shadow over the middle of the bottom lip and the cupids bow (and blending) will make the lips really stand out! I do not know how this would look over glossy lips, and therefore do not advise it without experimenting yourself.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey would say “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness”, but we’re looking for advice a little less metaphorical. For starters, she preferred a classic matte or satin lipstick over lip gloss. Audrey usually wore browns and light pinks on her lips, rarely red. Audrey emulated this look in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

1. Fill your lips lightly with darker pink lip liner, and then the bottom lip. If you choose to line the upper lip, do it very lightly as she did not have the common fifties look of a fuller upper lip. Smooth this over so it isn't too sharp looking.
2. The exact colour of her lipstick is unknown, to the best that I can describe it is a light mauve. It was not very dark, maybe a shade or two darker than her natural lip colour.
3. The lips should be looking quite light and fresh. Make sure the liner and lipstick blends and that it isn't too sharp or full looking.

Warnings: Remember – no gloss! It is a matte look you want to achieve here.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on retro lips, and look forward to my next post titled ‘Channelling Your Inner (Audrey) Hepburn – Paris When it Sizzles’. See you then!

Love Claire, xo.