makeup instruction, vintage

1950’s Fashion – Get the Makeup Look of Lena Horne

1955 Lena Horne Album Cover

I have always thought that Lena Horne was one of those people that only became more beautiful with age. I feel she was in her prime in the 1970’s. But, she was always beautiful and here’s a lovely album cover of 1950’s era Lena Horne. This makeup look works for many complexions. Here’s what I did to get a Lena inspired look:

FACE: With my fingers, I applied Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light (not pictured). With a foundation brush, I applied Lancôme Absolue Makeup in Ecru 10. This foundation gives a dewy look like Lena’s. Under my eyes with my fingers, I applied Covergirl Simply Ageless Concealer in Corrector to conceal dark circles. With a fluffy powder brush, I applied Lancôme Aboslue Powder in Ecru 20, love this powder. With a blush brush, I swirled together the shimmery plum shades in Covergirl Instant Cheekbones Blush in Purely Plum. I applied to the apples of the cheeks. I then took the highlighting shade (the lightest) and applied to the top of the cheekbones.

EYES: I filled in brows with e.l.f. Eyebrow Lifter & Filler in Ash. With a large eyeshadow brush, I applied Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Latte, a matte cream, from lash line to brows. From lash line to crease, I blended Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Volcano, a smoky gray-taupe shimmer. My eyes aren’t shaped like Lena’s at all. To create a more dramatic crease, I blended Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in It List (not pictured), a matte black, in the crease. With a wet liner brush, I applied Clinique Water-Resistant Eyeliner in Natural Black, a soft black, to the top lash line. I curled lashes and applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir Mascara in Onyx to top and bottom lashes. My eye makeup looks much better in person. It looks washed out/not visible in the photo below.

Get the 1950's makeup look of Lena Horne

LIPS: I lined lips with Estee Lauder Double Wear Lip Pencil in Rose, a medium pink. Directly from the tube, I applied Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rubellite, a medium pink with silver frost and a shiny finish.

Makeup look of Lena HorneNow for a fragrance…because the look is pink and “springy”, I’m thinking something like floral and lovely like Estee Lauder Beautiful EDP.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week and will  have a wonderful weekend. The weather here is <blah>. I have had enough rain and 40-50° weather. All I want is a 60° day with sunshine. And if the weather is beautiful in your neck of the woods, I don’t want to hear about it 😉

*Post contains affiliate links.