Retro Beauty Secrets from Real-life Pinup Girls

Allure Daily Beauty Reporter

by Meirav Devash



Regan Cameron
Regan Cameron

Old-Hollywood hair and pinup-girl makeup have become red-carpet favorites for celebrities like Katy Perry, Lauren Conrad, and Amy Adams, but there's a certain type of dame who rocks that look every day--often with a va-va-voom pencil skirt, or maybe even a pair of tassels. I got a retro beauty lesson from some of the hourglass gals that will be modeling this Sunday at the Mode Merr Burlesque Brunch Spectacular at the Highline Ballroom in New York City (a runway show with burlesque performances and more). Here are their best profesh pinup tips:

Fluttery false lashes. "The best strip lashes have winged outer edges like Marilyn Monroe's. To get it right, make sure the strip is trimmed to fit your lid first. I do my full cat-eye makeup, add a thin stripe of clear Ardell lash glue to the strip, give it 10 to 30 seconds to get tacky, then slowly lay the strip down along the lash line. Then I soften and set the eyeliner with NYX Single Eyeshadow in Black. But the real trick is practice, practice, practice." --The Lady Aye, sword swallower and emcee

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Easy bumper bangs. "I use a Conair Bun Maker to create bumper bangs, a staple style for Dita Von Teese and Janelle Monáe. Cut the donut in half and roll your bangs around it, pinning and securing the ends. Use a teasing brush or comb to create a secure base, roll your hair around the cylinder, and pin into place." --Tara Kyles, hairstylist and makeup artist specializing in vintage styles

Kiss-proof red lipstick. "I'm most complimented on my red lipstick--it never fades or smears. I line and fill my lips with M.A.C. Lip Pencil in Cherry and top it off with M.A.C. Lipstick in Ruby Woo. It's a matte blue-red, supercomplementary to pale skin. I can go a good 12 hours without having to touch it up." --Tara Kyles

Cat-eye liner. "I use Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion over Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. In the mirror, I raise and point my chin in the Marilyn Monroe heavy-lid pose, which creates a natural shadow to follow. Then I do a glamorous connect-the-dots of three lines: I mentally trace the natural curve of my lid from the inner eye to the outer, and continue that upward curve--the further out I go, the higher the drama. From the outer point, I stroke the brush inward along the lash line to above the center of my pupil. The second stoke is from the inner corner to meet the first line. The final stroke starts at the same outer lid point, but this time, I pull a straighter line to above the center point of the pupil again. Then, using smooth strokes, I fill in the triangle." --Laura Rebel Angel, singer of Screamin' Rebel Angels

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Natural pinup hair. "I'm known for my natural, textured updo--I like to call it the Copper-Colored Lucille Ball. My go-to products are Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Repair Cream and Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding for softening and setting, and L'Oréal Elnett Hairspray to hold it all in place. When it comes to natural hair, my best advice is to find the right products for you-and be realistic. If your hair is kinky, ask other women with beautiful, healthy kinky hair what they use." --The Maine Attraction, burlesque performer

Ultrabright blonde. "As a professional blonde, it is what I am known for most. That and my huge bust! I use Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo and conditioner once a week to keep my color from fading or turning brassy. When it's feeling dry, I soften it with Biosilk Silk Therapy." --The World Famous *BOB*, burlesque performer and emcee

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