Movies have been a driving force for the beauty community since, well, forever. Seeing a woman on the big screen representing a world of women is inspiring. And therefore, these long-sought-after looks have made history in beauty and Hollywood. From your favorite all-time classics to more recent and modern beauty looks, actresses have led the way for women to experiment with their style, their look, and their beauty for generations.
We watch movies to laugh, to cry, or to escape into a new world. These women are talented and have the miraculous ability to launch you into pure astonishment while on-screen. Although you may not have realized it, beauty plays a big role in film, especially for women. From hair to makeup, these actresses and their star characters have surpassed the test of time with their beauty.
To begin, one of the first movies you may remember seeing, Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland’s voice, youthful appearance, and almost magical essence as Dorothy is so intriguing. Even in the black and white scenes, her rosy cheeks and bright lips drew you into her naive yet passionate character. And her classic braided pigtails have become a well-loved style throughout history.
To this day, Rita Moreno as Anita in West Side Story is one of the most fun and exciting roles in film. Her infectious energy and attitude beam in this role and show a beauty that stands out not only in this film but in the entire movie industry. There is a reason she won the Oscar for this fabulous portrayal. Her voice and movement all add up to a beautiful and iconic performance.
It would be a crime not to add Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly to this list. Her unparalleled class and her fun, fancy, and unique style in this movie has been awe-inspiring to women for ages. Her soft pink lipstick and those long, perfect, and defined lashes are a classic look that will never go out of style. Watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s is not only one of the most joyous moments you can have, but the aspects of beauty this character shows through each scene are like nothing else.
Although Billie Holiday was the true inspiration for this glamorous look, Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues was not only an unstoppable performance, but her beauty was a force. From the iconic flower in her hair to her big beautiful eyes, Diana Ross stood out in this role because although she represented the magnificence of Billie Holiday perfectly, her uniqueness is what has led her to set trends throughout her career.
Before the movie even premiered, Angelina Jolie’s role as Maleficent in 2014 drew the beauty community to organized chaos. Every beauty guru had their own version of her wildly chiseled cheekbones and deep red lips. Angelina Jolie was the ideal choice for this role. Her abilities and standout looks added to the depth of the character and the beauty and strength behind her. Although based on a fairytale, the role of Maleficent was carefully imagined and presented in a way that gave power to women. This character undoubtedly has a unique style, but with that, she rose above a power-hungry patriarch, a painful betrayal, and used love to drive her passion.
Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia in 2018’s Black Panther offered a beauty to the movie world that has never been seen, at least not on such a widely popular scale. From her style to her strength and her willfulness Nyong’o brought something to this role that only she could. Her beauty is drawn from confidence, and her look in this movie and even on the red carpet made waves in the beauty industry that will not fade anytime soon. She has started an awareness of diversity in Hollywood and, through this role, has multiplied that change infinitely.
There are movies from every decade throughout history that have starred women with strength and indescribable beauty. From Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, to Beyonce in Austin Powers, and Vivien Leigh in Gone With The Wind, women have been portraying beauty in film and reality forever. And with all the efforts women have made to find justice and equality in Hollywood, their beauty will continue to strike audiences in new ways throughout the world. As long as film continues to be such a vital form of portraying life through art, women will never stop showing the world what they and their beauty are capable of.
