I love this classic makeup look of Arlene Dahl’s. It’s just as elegant today as was in the 1950’s. A line of black liquid eyeliner and untouchable red lips are always a winner in my book. I’m calling this one the “cocktail party” look. This classic evening look works for so many complexions. Here’s what I did to get this 1950’s Arlene inspired look:

FACE: Arlene’s complexion is flawless. I’m jealous. With my Elizabeth Arden Foundation Brush, I applied Lancôme Absolue Makeup in Ecru 10. Under the eyes, I applied Covergirl Simply Ageless Concealer in Corrector. For a more luminous complexion, I applied Benefit High Beam, a pearly pink highlighter, down the nose and on the cheek bones. I set everything with Cover FX Setting Powder in Translucent. Cheeks are rosy. I applied NARS Blush in Desire, a hot pink, with an art store fan brush.

EYES: Look at these perfect brows! I brushed brows into place with a spoolie. I filled in my brows with Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre in Natural Blonde. With my finger tip, I brushed on Smashbox Brow Tech Wax to keep my brows in place. Under the brows, I applied a tiny dab of Benefit High Beam under the arch. I’m going to use Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in Greed. I love these shadows. I applied the lightest matte cream (an awesome color) from lash line to brow with a fluffy brush. In the crease, I blended in that unusual shimmery lilac gray shade. I lined eyes with Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eyeliner in Black. The line is thinner and gets thicker towards the outer edge of the eye. I curled lashes and applied Hourglass Film Noir Mascara in Onyx to top and bottom lashes. I applied Ardelle Duralash Lashes.

LIPS: I lined lips with Elizabeth Arden Lip Definer in Natural. I feel a lip liner is needed for a bold, glossy look. Directly from the tube, I applied Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in 515 Coral Crush, a bold pinky coral. From the tube, I applied N.Y.C. Liquid Lip Shine in Sheer Ruby, a cool red gloss with magenta shimmer (bolder than the one pictured in the collage).

If I could I would top this one off with a dab of old school Bourjois An Evening in Paris, but I think something easier to find like Nocturnes D’Caron will do. And for nails Sephora by OPI Nail Colour in How Many Carats? will do. It’s a light and sheer shimmer that really completes this look.

It’s been a stressful week for me. Nothing big, just me allowing certain things to get to me. I really shouldn’t be complaining. This week I’ve sniffed some “new” perfumes like Malle’s Portrait of a Lady which I really love. And I checked out some spring color collections. I didn’t like anything. Everything is purple for spring 2011! This weekend I have no plans other than take some time for myself and decompress. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Don’t forget #fumechat on Twitter 7 P.M. PST 🙂

Post contains some affiliate links. Thanks!

Arlene picture from www.doctormacro.com; other pictures are EauMGs