Source: flickr.com user xtina_badgirl

I strayed from my unintentional ’60s theme for an ultra-vintage look from the roaring ’20s. For my last installment of Get the Vintage Look, I’m excited to detail the beauty secrets of Clara Bow.

Clara Bow was an actress in silent films and “talkies” from 1922 to 1949. In 1927, she starred in the film It, a movie based on a story by Elinor Glyn. In Glyn’s story, a character explains what “it” actually is: “It…that strange magnetism which attracts both sexes…entirely unself-conscious…full of self-confidence…indifferent to the effect…she is producing and uninfluenced by others.” As she truly possessed these qualities, Clara quickly became known as The It Girl, a nickname that would stick with her throughout her entire career.

Clara’s dramatic makeup look was common for silent film actresses. Luckily for us, it still makes an incredible nighttime look that’s perfect for special occasions or a night out with the girls. Clara’s biggest beauty secret was applying her lipstick in the shape of a heart. She became so well-known for this that women who imitated this application technique were said to be putting a Clara Bow on their lips!

Get Clara’s Look

Complexion

Eyes and Brows

• Apply a dark brown cream eyeshadow to the eyelids, creases and just above the creases, creating a half circle from one corner of the eye to the other.
• Using the same cream shadow, line the lower lash line and smudge.
• Apply a soft layer of a charcoal or pure black powder shadow shade to the eyelids, extending into the crease area. Blend the powder eye makeup shade into your cream shade to soften the look.
• Line the inner part of the lower lash line (known as the waterline) with a nude-colored eye pencil.
• Accentuate the eyelashes with black mascara, applying one to two coats to the upper and lower lashes.
• The actresses of the silent film era drew on elongated, ultra dark eyebrows. This look is obviously not something that fits into the latest makeup trends. Instead, simply fill in your brows and set with a wax or gel. It is important that you enhance the brows to balance your look.

Lips

• Using a deep burgundy-red lipstick shade and a small lip brush, paint the lips with an even, rich layer of pigment. To create Clara’s signature heart-shaped lips, place the emphasis on the bow of the lips by applying an accentuated v-shape.
• Line the lips with a color-coordinated lip pencil, making sure to emphasize the heart shape you’ve created.
• To make the lips pop, line the outer edges of your lip line with a concealer pencil or nude-colored lip pencil.

Clean up any dark areas around the eyes or lips by going over your skin with your foundation brush. Finish your look with a dropped-waist dress and a dramatic hairstyle. For shorter hair, a full head of voluminous, teased curls is the perfect way to bring out your inner Clara.

Source: flickr.com user cathleenritt

Born Lesley Hornby, Twiggy is one of the world’s most famous fashion models. Discovered at the age of 16, she was known for her slight build (weighing in at only 91) pounds, her short hair, and her beauty secret of drawing long, false eyelashes along her lower lash line. After retiring from her modeling career, Twiggy went on to launch an award-winning singing and acting career.

Twiggy’s look was most often centered around her large eyes, with the emphasis placed on the creases of the eyes, as well as the lower lash line. To achieve her look, use eye makeup in varying shades of off white, gray and black.

Get Twiggy’s Look

Complexion

Eyes, Eyelashes and Brows

• Gently apply a vanilla-colored eyeshadow shade from lash line to brow bone.
• Using a light gray eyeshadow shade and a pointed shadow brush, fill in the eye creases, creating a full arch from one corner of the eye to the other. (Apply your shade to the crease itself, but allow the color to extend up over the crease a little bit.) Blend gently.
• With a small, angled cosmetic brush and a deep gray eyeshadow shade, draw an accentuated line just above the natural crease of your eye. The line should be dark and dramatic.
• Take the pointed shadow brush you used to apply your light gray shade and go over the dark line you’ve just created, blending it into the surrounding areas. Make sure that you don’t over-blend – the dark line should still be accentuated.
• Brighten the lids and brow bone using the vanilla-colored shade you started with. Don’t forget to blend!
• Using a white eye pencil, line the inner part of your lower lash line. (Just above your lower lashes.)
• Apply a generous dose of mascara to the top and bottom lash lines.
• Apply false lashes to the top and bottom lash lines.
• Groom and shape your brows as desired. Twiggy’s brows were light and natural-looking.

Lips

• Apply an anti-feathering product to the lips. If you don’t have a product created for this purpose, you can use a little bit of your concealer or a nude lip pencil.
• Choose a lipstick shade that is only slightly darker than your natural lip shade. Apply a light layer and blot gently.

Source: flickr.com user pinkiedahlia

Sometimes I get sick of my boring beauty routine. After using the same makeup products over and over again, it becomes almost chore-like to create my daily look. This upsets me; makeup should be fun! So, I’ve come up with a few ways to make over my makeup routine any time it starts to feel dull.

Colored Mascara
Nothing brightens your look like electric blue or vibrant plum lashes. Most mascara formulations come in black and brown, but you can often find fun colors like purple, blue, gold, green or even red. If you’re not up for coating your lash line in a full layer of flashy makeup pigment, try applying it to only the tips of the eyelashes. This will widen the appearance of your eyes and give your look a touch of intrigue.

Cheek Tint
I used to be perfectly terrified of cheek tints. I was sure that I would end up looking like a clown with bright red circles on both cheeks. Thankfully, I had a persistent friend who ensured me that I would love using a cheek tint makeup product - I just had to try! If you find that your look is too powdery or drab, try applying a cheek tint instead of a powder blush. The tint will add an extra layer of radiance while creating a truly natural-looking finish.

Highlighters and Illuminators
Highlighters and illuminators are an easy way to refresh your look while adding a dose of simple sass. Used pretty much anywhere skin is visible, highlighters and illuminators create a sexy yet subtle glow that helps the skin appear youthful and healthy while disguising imperfections by blurring their appearance. They’re especially useful for skin exhibiting hyperpigmentation or acne blemishes. Use a colored or translucent formula on the cheeks, eyes, facial contours, décolleté, shoulders, legs, or anywhere else a “lit from within” glow is desired!

Bronzer
Like cheek tints, I’ve always been a bit hesitant about using a bronzer, mostly because I’m Nicole Kidman-pale. However, after I learned how to properly apply a bronzer shade, I was hooked! Now I don’t leave the house without it. Used to contour, define or just to add an extra burst of color, bronzers are perfect for warming up any look.

New Lip Color
One of the easiest ways to change up your daily look is to choose a new lip gloss or lipstick shade. Even if the rest of your beauty routine stays the same, changing your lip shade from pink to red, or using a tint-free lip plumper, can add that little bit of something that will have your friends and co-workers wondering what’s different.