Who is your beauty icon? Why? Share!
I really don’t have one! I didn’t grow up idolizing celebrities or anyone for their style/looks – I idolized (and to some extent, still do) my mom, who almost never wore makeup. Even now, I try to tune out a lot of celebrity stuff that comes my way!
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Punk rock and grunge ladies from the 80s/90s, so like Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Courtney Love, Melissa auf der Maur, Wendy O Williams, Kathleen Hanna, etc.
Some of my favorites also.
Courtney would be my number one icon. Lady Miss Kier from Deee-Lite would be second. Boy George would be third.
Others with great style that I love are Ana Matronic from Scissor Sisters and Theo Kogan from Lunachicks,
And Jody Watley. Such great style.
The lock screen on my phone is Debbie and my main wallpaper is Courtney.
You just mentioned some of those of whom I began borrowing ideas from once I got to be about 20-ish! My best friend at the time always compared me to Joan Jett. From the hair, to makeup, to my *previously* super thin but fit build. Although it was Cyndi Lauper and Boy George who later influenced my use of wild multi color eyeshadow looks! Love your choices, Alice! ?
Personally I don’t like her, but I have to admit Kim K.’s makeup always looks flawless.
Her face makeup is always flawless!
Selma Blair and Leigh Lezark
Audrey Hepburn! From her hair, to her makeup, to her style – she really understood who she was and how she wanted to portray herself. I love her beauty transition through the 50’s and 60’s, and all the little things she did in films like cutting her hair in Roman Holiday or putting on the lipstick in the cab in BAT. It’s a cliché answer but they’re icons for a reason!
I don’t have a beauty icon per se, but I do tend to look to women with similar coloring to mine for inspiration. Back when Julianna Margulies was on ER in the 90s, people were ALWAYS commenting on how much we looked alike due to her curly, dark hair and unusual (for that time) eyebrows. I’ve kept an eye on her since then.
I don’t have one now but in high school it was Boy George. He wore eye makeup like it was nobody’s business! If there was even the slightest chance I could apply eyeshadow with the same skill I’d have rocked the same vibrant colours myself.
When I was a kid, my beauty icons were all silver screen sirens: Vivien Leigh, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Russell, etc. I had grown up on watching classic movies, and these sirens’ films played an integral part in me learning proper English. So, at the time that I had moved to the states and had gained some female friends, most girls all wanted to be like either Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams) from “Family Matters” or like Kelly (Tiffani Thiessen) from “Saved By The Bell”. And there I was, not giving a care in the world about current celebs, trying to convince my elementary school friends like, “But Rita Hayworth, though…” I had, and still do, completely appreciate the look of a classic beauty a lot more compared to what I see today (which tends to be an overly beat face). I’ve always loved a “sultry, but still a lady” even blend type of look, and those classic actresses knew how to deliver.
I had consistently stuck with my silver screen beauty icons, because I had never really admire present day celebrities/beauty icons (I still don’t, in a way). I’d seen so many celebs come in and go out, but no one had ever caught my attention. But then came model and entrepreneur, Iman. Talk about a modern day beauty with grace and poise, who can still smolder. She is responsible for my current love of makeup, because through her book, “The Beauty of Color” (my Beauty Bible), I had learnt so much about makeup rules and tips for women who had dark skin. It was so eyeopening to me, since dark skin makeup wasn’t something that was talked about regularly (and that was only 10 years ago!). I’d watch her on numerous talk shows as she would elaborate on the makeup tips, promote her cosmetic line, and discuss everything in between. I just love everything about her!
Iman in my living beauty icon, but my classic beauty sirens who have come and gone, still hold a special place in my heart.
Simply lovely, eloquent comment.
Thank you very much. 🙂
I love how perfectly put together Gwen Stefani always looks. Not just the make-up, but also the hair and the outfit are always spot on! And I hate to say it, but I also admire the Kardashian’s – or their make-up artists – for their make-up skills.
The first person that comes to mind for me is Isabella Rossellini; although I’m not really an “icon” person either. I think of her as she inherited her mother’s classic looks. And because she has a gap between her front teeth, she helped me learn to love and accept mine in a time when everyone had perfectly straight no-gap teeth! Another classic beauty is Sophia Loren. Now in her eighties, she’s still as stunning as when she was younger….one can only believe there’s hope for us all!
I totally second Isabella Rosselini!… Her Lancôme pictures were everything when I was a kid – a teen. Don’t think there is anyone that comes close when it comes to beauty for me.
My first thought was Jennifer Lopez because our skin tones are similar, and she loves to rock the bronzey, glowy goddess look that I love for summers. I’m not a huge fan of her style, though, because I prefer a more classic, tailored look. For style I would have to go with Gwen Stafani. I love her makeup, too.
90’s supermodels, and also Pamela Anderson. I think it was Pamela’s ‘va va va voom’ voluptuousness (not her breasts but her makeup), with the smoky eyes and the full lips. I love that contoured eye and full lip.
I don’t know that I would call anyone my beauty icon. There are women whose style or makeup I usually like, but I don’t try to copy their looks often. Only when they do something unexpected with their makeup that I think would be fun to try.
I will say that Connie Britton’s hair is pretty amazing and I’d love to have her hair stylist on call! 😉
I don’t really have one either. When I look at models in magazines , if I like the look, I typically find myself trying to analyze it- figure out how it was done- so, I can put it into a wearable look for myself. But, I don’t specifically follow one particular person.
I’ve never really had one, either. There are celebrities whose beauty I admire but I figure they aren’t doing their own makeup. I tend to take inspiration more often from people in my life, specifically people who can pull off a smoky eyeliner-only look. There was a girl back in high school who wore heavy black liner on just her lower waterline every day and it looked so smoldery and feline and I could never get it to look so good on myself! As for celebrities who kill it with makeup, I’d have to say I’m generally into Kristen Stewart’s looks. But again, idk if it’s her personal style so much as Jillian Dempsey’s or Beau Nelson’s or whoever.
IMAN all the way.
Oh yes Iman!
Audrey Hepburn, Bianca Jagger and more recently, early Sophia Loren. I love everything about Grace Kelly, but I am so far from her willowy cool blonde look that I can’t really use her as a role model. But in the strict sense of the word, she is a style icon.
Charlotte Rampling back in the day and now. She’s aged so beautifully and I was so happy to see her featured in NARS’s anniversary campaign. When I see her pictures from the 70s, it always amazes how natural she looks, but at the same time there is something really striking and mysterious about her. The perfect combination of black eyeliner, subtle bronzer and freckles, a look that I myself love very much, although unfortunatelly not with the same spectacular effect :).
For old time movie stars I would say Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe.
For current stars I would say Dakota Johnson, Kristen Stewart and Emma Stone. All three have skin tone that is similar to mine (fair/light with pink undertones). Kristen has green eyes that are similar to my color. So if I love the makeup done on them and find out what products are used, typically they look good on me too.
Diana Vreeland. She is a reminder that you do not have to be young or classically beautiful to be the most memorable woman in the room. I admire her signature look of bold red lipstick, pale skin, and stark black hair.
I too love the look of the original silver screen goddesses of the 40’s and 50’s, it was so glamorous. Audrey Hepburn is another one, especially in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, altho that is very Sixties. There isn’t really anyone of the present day that I follow as such, but I do take inspiration from magazines and vlogs. I do think makeup inspiration is more accessible nowadays though, especially with makeup tutorials online. I often look to Lisa Eldridge for subtle makeup looks and the Pixiwoo sisters for more dramatic looks.
I try to tune out celebrity looks also. Finding your own style is more original in my opinion than copying someone else’s look exactly. There is a certain celebrity that I see a lot of people copying her makeup and a lot of it winds up looking obviously heavy or like drag queen makeup (no offense meant to anyone who intentionally does/likes that kind of makeup). I do like Lisa Eldridge videos and learn a lot from her makeup application techniques if that is considered a beauty icon.
As a young girl, I had more of a type of iconic style I was drawn to more than an individual: late 60’s-early half of 70’s bombshell. Oddly, the one star I did want to emulate, Raquel Welch, shared my ethic background, of which I grew up without knowing because of being an adoptee. So, unbeknownst to me, a fellow Latina!
Fast forward to my later years, I have my own quirky sense of style and follow no one else’s lead. Yet I do borrow ideas from those whose taste or techniques I admire to incorporate into a look here or there.
Sometimes I *still* see a bit of Raquel peaking through….those cat-eyes and nude lips! LoL
Angelina Jolie, she always looks so flawless. Those cheekbones are to die for!
I don’t have one. I can’t remember ever wanting to look like a particular celebrity!
I do however have anti-icons, or whatever it should be called: celebrities who exemplify the side of beauty that I dislike the most. The Kardashians come to mind.
I never really had a single beauty icon.
Growing up in the 80’s, music and videos were a huge beauty influence. I’ve always loved Siouxsie Sioux’s makeup. I liked looks from Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Grace Jones, and Debbie Harry. I also had a place in my heart for Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe. I liked Kevin Au Coin’s artistry.
As an adult, I really like the beauty looks from Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Gwen Stefani, Angelina Jolie, Dita von Teese, Coco Rocha, and Keira Knightley.
i like kat von d, kim k’s (props to mario dedivanovic) and kylie jenner’s makeup is always flawless and i really like how jaclyn hill does her makeup.
I like people looks but there really isn’t anyone I have that’s an idol. I guess the closest would be Cate Blanchett.
Dita Von Teese and the starlets of the 20s through 50s, mainly Louise Brooks, Dovima, Rita Hayworth, Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, and Myrna Loy. Oh, and Phryne Fisher as played by Essie Davis!
Jaclyn Hill ……watch on YouTube…she’s awesome!!!!!
Audrey Hepburn probably because my mom loved her, but in looking at the old films she’s timeless
Natalie Wood for her natural timeless beauty…… but these days I look at some youtubers for inspiration. Recently for example I found Dominique Sachse, who has her own chanel and works as a news anchor too.
Shirley Manson and Gwen Stefani. Everyone else was just so ordinary to me!
Paulina Porizkova…I still find her natural beauty stunning!
When I think of someone’s style and look I emulated because it was so cool and iconic it would be the late, great Aaliyah’s. She had what they called at the time a “street but sweet” style with baggy, hip-hop inspired clothes that had a tomboy yet feminine edge and flawless skin, impeccable makeup and the most gorgeous long hair with a swooped bang covering one eye and giving her a mysterious look. I seriously took her style and just ran with it. Needless to say I had a ton of Tommy Hilfiger in my wardrobe at the time. Lol.
COCO Chanel – clothes, handbags, fragrance, beauty, shoes – endless.
I don’t have a celebrity icon either. Everyone is an individual and what works for one, beauty wise, does not work for another. Although in the past I have admired beauty icons of 50’s and 60’s – Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Grace for their flawless looks and individual style.
The Fabulous Dita von Teese! She always looks flawless no matter where she is going. She is the epitome of classic beauty and promotes femininity. I can’t wait for her Beauty Mark book to come out in December!
Admittedly Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald. She is adorable. Love her makeup, love her outfits for Doctor Who, and she is short and awesome like me. <3
Dorothy Dandridge & Grace Kelly
I’m in my early 30’s and it used to be women of the 90’s. Now it’s evolved. Catherine Deneuve, Charlotte Rampling, Jacqueline Bisset, etc. Anyone who has brains as well as beauty and great style.
Jennifer Connelly comes to mind. Her look is classic and timeless. She always has a simple makeup look that really plays up her dark features.
Jessica Alba because I always envy her glowy skin.
I know it’s pretty cliche, but Audrey Hepburn. After all these years, her look is still emulated and talked about.
I suppose I’m more drawn to the main stream “pretty”, but I would have to also add Lady Gaga to the list. She is weird, we can all agree on that. But she takes risks and I’m always interested in seeing what look she’ll be wearing next.
My mother is my icon. She has beautiful skin and doesn’t wear foundation, just lipstick. My mother is naturally beautiful! 🙂
Iman and Naomi Campbell. They are timeless beauties.
I don’t have a beauty icon, either. I’m just struggling to be the best version of myself — which offers new challenges with every passing year!
By the way, Christine, are you makeup site updates late at night? For the past couple of nights, Temptalia has gone offline. I’ve received 524 and 522 errors for hours.
My beauty icon is Linda Rodin. She personifies, for me, a confident & self-styled, real-woman beauty. I recently saw her in Barneys NY in NYC & mustered up the nerve to speak to her & tell her how amazing & beautiful she is. Rather than snubbing me or blowing me off she was so genuinely nice. She is gorgeous. Also love Sophia Loren, who, btw is still incredible.
That’s a toughie. I don’t really have “icons” so to speak, but women whose sense of style was just so friggin’ “theirs” that I strive to attain my own personal style in the way they did. Mostly older era film stars and singers like Katherine Hepburn, Hedy Lamarr, Greta Garbo, Nina Simone, Vivian Leigh (her style, not personality…), Grace Kelly, Jean Seberg, Leslie Caron, Eartha Kitt, Billie Holiday, the list goes on and on.
Awesome question. Don’t have a good answer either! I do agree with others here, though, who point to the “classics”: Audrey (and Katherine!) Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman. And you can’t go wrong with a Jackie O look. I think more than outer-beauty icons, I have inner-beauty icons – women who have such presence and power of personality that you simply can’t fail to notice them. Jackie O is a favorite of mine for lots of reasons, not the least of which being that she was a long-time editor before becoming known as a First Lady. (I write and edit.) The truth, I think, is that once you know who you are, you naturally gravitate toward that which enhances you, whether that’s the phantasmagoria cult look of Boy George (who I still love) or the unadorned style of an ingenue Natalie Portman. Or both!
Not sure why, but what comes to mind immediately is the women from Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love video. I will always love a strong red lip, dramatic eyes, and cheekbones!
I was obsessed with that look when the video came out. I’d wear it to high school. LOL Gotta love the 80s.
That’s a good question! .. Really enjoyed reading the answers.
Same here, no beauty icon. BUT! Silver screen beauties and the 60’s makeup always makes my heart skips a beat!
Modern day beauties are Angelina Jolie, Amber Heard, Kate Beckinsale, Rihanna, Diane Kruger, Jennifer Lopez, Fan Bing Bing. ♡
I wasn’t into makeup until I was 25 (couple years ago) so I didn’t grow up looking at magazines being interested in that, and now in this day and age YouTubers and bloggers (like you Christine) are closer to a beauty icon than anyone else!
I know she really isn’t an ‘icon’, and I know this is cliché and totally fan girl- But Jaclyn Hill has incredible make up skills. She is creative, and has a very good technique. Her looks are always stunning and unique.
I suppose another inspiration of mine are the VS Angels… they always have amazing hair and stunning smoky eyes.
Growing up I would definitely say I emulated Britney Spears. But now I love Katy Perry, Gwen Stefanie and Taylor Swift has been taking risks recently
Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, Ru Paul, Keira Knightley, Eva Green, Monica Vitti, Lana del Rey and Gwen Stefani.