Friday, January 20, 2012

Diamonds on my wrist whiskey on my tongue: The allure of the 1960s femme fatale

The 60s were a decade punctuated by historical milestones such as the Vietnam War, Beatles Mania, the Civil Rights Movement, the assassinations of both John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King and Woodstock.
It also signalled the emergence of a new type of woman, one who wholeheartedly embraced her feminine allure with brushed-out bouncy curls, flicked eyeliner and shit loads of mascara.
These were just a few key attributes served up on the beauty menu throughout the 60s and nobody did it better then the era’s finest femme fatales: Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Ursula Andress and of course Marilyn Monroe!

Brigitte Bardot

Raquel Welch

Ursula Andress

Marilyn Monroe

There is something incredibly desirable about the beauty looks these dolls were dishing out. The rouge was matte, powdered and perfectly applied. The hair was big, back combed and hairsprayed into submission.

Last year Beyonce paid homage to these vixens in her “Why Don’t You Love Me” film clip and more recently controversial Indy-Pop Goddess Lana Del Rey in her “Born to Die” video.

Beyonce "Why Don't You Love Me" film clip

 Still image from Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die" film clip

In my humble awesome opinion, I think both ladies did a stellar job evoking a charming 60s aesthetic. In a society where Snooki’s roam among us, cashing in on their “underwear is optional” catch-phrases, abusing fake tan and killing many a mink for their eyelashes I’d  prefer to go down the 60s route any day.

My prod picks for recreating these looks:


A smooth base and flawless finish is imperative for emulating some 60s glamour. Try MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation available in a whooping 32 shades RRP: $48.00 available online at http://www.maccosmetics.com.au

Get perfectly winged, sultry eyelids using Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in “Black Ink” RRP: $45.00 available from selected David Jones and Myer stores nationally.




These beauty looks were really about playing up the eyes, so go for a neutral lip with the likes of Natio’s Mineral Lip Colour in “Nude Peach” RRP: $15 available from Priceline stores nationally.

Tell me beauties, what beauty era do you covet?