5 Beauty Secrets We Learned From Pin-Up Girls
Photos: Meirav Devash (2), Vintage Girl Studios (3)
1/5Forget You Ever Met Bronzer
"The classic pinup look—strong brows, a defined lash line, and red lips—is defined by the era it came from: the '40s and '50s. Stars were wearing it and so were women on the street," says Sawicki. The trend was partially dictated by what was accessible at the time. "There weren't a lot of lip colors available yet, and most of them were in the red or pink family." As for bronzer? Never heard of it.
2/5Play Up the Eyes
In the midcentury, thick strip lashes were in style, and brows got fuller than the skinny arches of the '20s and '30s. And re-creating retro eyes is easier than it looks. Definition at the lash line is the goal here, so there's no need to master liquid-liner cat eyes—simply dragging your liner past the outer edges a quarter inch provides the same effect (once you pair it with lashes). Sawicki's trick for a perfect fit: "Customize strip lashes by trimming them shorter on the inside and longer on the outside edge," she says. "You'll avoid that heavy, squared-off look."
Vintage Girl Studios3/5Real Life Is Not a Photo Shoot
Some women rock an everyday retro look (or a modern twist on one) as a lifestyle thing. That's cool, but even Bettie Page didn't take out the trash in full makeup. "The look should be fresh and not heavy. You don't need the same amount of product for daily life as you do for a photo shoot," says Sawicki. "It should be classic and understated."
Vintage Girl Studios4/5But You Should Strike a Pose Anyway
Your go-to poses (chicken arms, Angelina leg, extreme head tilt) won't cut it in the world of pinup. "Pinup is all about curves, so arch your back, suck in your stomach and pop your booty," Dollface says. "Don't forget about what's your happening below the wrists and ankles. Dead fish hands and sickled feet are not cute!" Shake out any tension in your hands. "Long, graceful fingers are great. Feet should be the opposite—always pointed," she says.
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Vintage Girl Studios5/5Just Know Some People Won't Get It
"The simple fact is, a pinup look is always going to look like a costume to someone who wouldn't wear anything you can't buy at the mall. Let's be honest—we are not trying to fit in," Sawicki says. "If you own that and respond to people's comments in a positive and informative way, you may open a few minds. Go out there and do your thing."
