Did you use any tips and tricks from the 1950s in your makeup design for this series?
Cat eyes were really huge in the 1950s, but I purposefully avoided doing it because I couldn’t image Elizabeth wanting to wear them at the beginning of the show. Instead, I drew inspiration from Grace Kelly’s eye looks. Her eye shadow was done in a really simple way, and it suited our main character much better.
When you watch the show, you may see more eyeliner at some point, but most of the time, I blended away the matte eye shadow for a nice accentuated feel without a big cat eye like Marilyn Monroe. Some makeup looks distract from the personality of characters, and for Elizabeth, she’s a scientist and didn’t think too much about how she looked. Even when she becomes a host, her personality hasn’t changed much.
I always softened the eyeliner, so it still reflected the trends of that time but also stays true to her. For her, it was all about beautiful lips and matte skin. I just wanted to create the mood of the ’50s without being disruptive! Everything I did was a little softer than what we tend to imagine from the era.
Are there any other makeup tips you would give to a beginner who wants to re-create Elizabeth’s iconic looks at home?
Good skin prep! I’m a big believer in starting with a skincare routine instead of applying your makeup right away. Have your skincare products sit for 20 minutes because it really changes the way your makeup will look. Also, trying more matte finishes and doing a lot of blending. Matte eye shadow can be tricky to use, and you have to have a good hand for it, but it’s really fun.
It helps you create a soft look that you could pair with bold lips. But no matter what you want to do to create a makeup look, remember to enjoy it and recognize your inner beauty. This show focuses a lot on emotions, and it’s a really beautiful show about people. I wanted makeup to be a supplement to that without being too loud. I enjoyed creating that!