If there’s a person whose approach to beauty best encapsulates the mentality of classics with a twist, it’s Laufey. Her personal aesthetic doesn’t just hearken back to the classic jazz aesthetic, she also reinterprets it to create an aesthetic that that blends classic make-up looks with her dreamy, fairytale-like touch.
Think of her personal style as a chanteuse for the TikTok generation: one that retains the mysteriously elegant appearance of jazz singers of old, but also unafraid to introduce modern whimsicality into the aesthetic by way of shimmery textures, pastel colours.
Case on point: her music video for her viral hit, ‘From The Start’. Here, Laufey dons a pastel blue doe-eyed eyeshadow look and sheer coral nude lips reminiscent of a 1960s movie starlet, from a 2020s lenses by way of loose waves and the incorporation of pearly finishes in the eye make-up:
Just like fellow retro-pop singer Raye, and the late Amy Winehouse before them, they remind enthusiasts of vintage aesthetics that the key to upholding their status as classics is through allowing individuals to breathe new life into them. By doing so, it keeps them alive and allows for unique interpretations that appear retro without looking dated.
For example, crimson lips are a Hollywood red carpet mainstay amongst movie stars past and present, but if you are uncomfortable with the idea of sporting bold scarlet lipstick, or simply want a playful, low-maintenance interpretation, you can opt for dark pinks and nudes instead, or experiment with glossier finishes. Alternatively, you can turn a look on its head, such as incorporating glitters and metallics to exaggerate a monochromatic all-over eye look.
In honour of Laufey gracing our digital cover for this month, Vogue Singapore curates a selection of her most enchanting beauty looks capable of standing the test of time.
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Stunning silver eyeshadow
No doubt about it: Laufey’s choice of shimmery, pearlescent eyeshadow is sure to turn heads. This ethereal interpretation of a 1950s-style all-encompassing eyeshadow look is given an edge when paired with a smoky brown wing.
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Old Hollywood curls
No jazz chanteuse look is complete without romantic barrel waves that come straight out of an Old Hollywood flick. Here, Laufey updates the classic hairstyle by loosening up the curls for a Gen-Z version that maintains the curl pattern and overall shape. Instead of loading up on hairspray, opt for lighter holding products with moisturising ingredients.
3 / 5
Soft smokey eyes
If you love the mysterious allure of a classic smokey eye but the thought of dark colours on top of one another intimidates you, put this one on your radar. In the rare instance where she sports them, Laufey softens the look with warm light browns with a hint of pearly pink on the middle and inner corners of the eyelids.
4 / 5
Sleek winged liner
Laufey’s wispy cat-eye is a mainstay in her beauty arsenal, and it’s not hard to see why: not only is it a classic look fit for any decade, but its adaptability helps buoy Laufey’s more adventurous eyeshadow ventures, where it feels equally at home with bare lids and glittery pastels.
5 / 5
Pretty in pink
True to the fairytale aesthetic that forms the bedrock of both her personal style and songwriting, Laufey sports a monochromatic pink look to match her elegant but whimsical Grammys 2024 gown. The trick to maintaining both cohesiveness and interest? Be strategic about picking specific undertones for each part of the face. For example, she opts for a warm salmon shade for blush to bring out a subtle glow to her cheeks and a slightly more saturated pink lip to add some extra oomph.
