When you think of retro beauty staples, what comes into mind? Your mind may conjure images of red lipstick or springy, retro Hollywood style ringlet curls. In an algorithmic social media landscape, experimental beauty looks can come and go in a blink of an eye. However, there are some looks capable of standing the test of time. Most, such as the aforementioned curls, evoke a certain era, but they don’t necessarily need to. In fact, they endure because they flatter a wide variety of aesthetics and accentuate the face by themselves.
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As timeless as they are, they remain the go-to tools for those looking to add a dose of vintage Hollywood glamour to their looks, occasionally adding a modern twist in the process. Thanks to technological advancements in hairstyling, it’s never been easier to style hair. Gone are the days of dozens of painful leave-in hair curlers or styling products with harsh, environmentally-damaging chemicals. Today’s styling tools are constantly innovating on gentle yet effective appliances, professional-quality tools are easily accessible to us, and it’s not uncommon for modern formulations to incorporate hair-healthy nature-derived ingredients.
Today, most brands will have multiple variants of red to choose from, so you won’t feel limited to one shade. The variety of lipstick and eyeliner formulations mean there’s a product compatible with your specific needs. Additionally, if you have specialised health concerns, you’ll be able to find brands with formulations free from common put problematic ingredients. Some make-up products even contain moisturising or enriching ingredients to care for your skin, so you won’t have to worry about it drying or damaging it.
Below, Vogue Singapore, with the help of professional hairstylist Yuhi Kim break down how to rock classic looks with modern flourishes.
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Retro Hollywood ringlet curls
Long hair isn’t strictly necessary to achieving the springiest curls. In fact, a shorter crop, as typically seen on Raye, helps put more emphasis on the curl pattern, individual sections and the silhouette. Additionally, it doesn’t feel overly weighty, and you can experiment with the direction the ends of the curl go.
Nonetheless, the right styling devices are the most crucial tools to getting the shape right. “Use a small curling iron that’s around one inch or a hot roller,” Yuhi suggests.
To curl the hair and give them body, she explains, “Apply a volumising mousse or another styling product on dry hair. Wrap hair in small sections, and let curls cool completely before brushing them out. Finish with a light hairspray for hold.”
Remember, as with any hairstyle involving hot tools, a heat protectant is also crucial to ensuring minimal heat damage and incorporating products with moisturising ingredients.
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Bold red lips
Raise your hands if you’ve owned a red lipstick at one point in your beauty adventures. From Marilyn Monroe to Halle Bailey, there’s a reason why scarlet lips are a beauty mainstay. Obviously, they are head-turning,
A balanced, neutral red is a classic, but other undertones work just as well to evoke the Old Hollywood aesthetic. You can also opt for glossier finishes, or use a lip liner for definition.
Go the old-school route with a bare face to put the lips at the forefront, or pair it up with an elaborate eyeshadow look for extra drama.
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Beehive-style strands
If you believe curls look overly stuffy or don’t mix with elevation, think again. Up the ante a la ‘70s Dolly Parton, look to Lady Gaga’s tower of curls from her mid-century variety show-flavoured ‘Die With A Smile’ music video. This look retains the shape of the curls themselves, albeit slightly looser at the bottom, with the most tightly-defined curls on the top of her head.
Given their shape, they naturally integrate nicely into more playful iterations. Even if you’re not looking to achieve the ’60s beehive-esque look pictured here, a little elevation helps give curls a little more oomph.
To achieve the volume required for this hairstyle, Yuhi advises, “Divide the top half of your hair from the bottom half. Tease the top section hair for volume, and pin it into the shape.” As with the previous hairstyle, she recommends using hairspray to hold it up.
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Winged eyeliner
There’s a reason why winged eyeliner—be it the traditional short cat eye or long, razor-sharp wings is a classic. They accentuate the lids without altering or obscuring too much of the eye shape.
They’re also an easily adaptable look because you can alter the shape and sharpness as you see fit. Regardless of how you draw it, winged eyeliner is great as a simple way to add some vintage film star allure to an office-ready bare face, or add some extra drama to an elaborate cut-crease.
A pen liquid eyeliner with a long, sharp brush works best for this style of liner, though pencil makes a beginner-friendly alternative. Make sure to sharpen the point before drawing the wing.
