How To Be a Beauty Queen

Monarchist or not, we all indulge in a little Royal fanfare from time to time (particularly when there’s a public holiday involved). With the impending birthday celebrations of Her Majesty just around the (Buckingham) block, Beauticate dons a crown and upholds the throne as we take a look at our favourite beauty Queens throughout history. From the more traditional tea and scone variety to our very own matriarch of pop culture, a variety of queenly moments have influenced beauty and hair trends through the ages. We have given these five the Royal seal of approval.

Let them eat cake!

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA

1. QUEEN ELIZABETH II – THE COMMONWEALTH

The Look – Red Lip

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Her Majesty is the picture of prim and proper perfection. Hers are textbook beauty notes; a classic red lip, minimal eye makeup and hair curled and pinned into tight rolls with precision, whilst atop sits an embellished crown or exquisite millinery. And while hair has become greyer and skin has matured, Queen Elizabeth II has maintained her signature beauty look, perennially exuding class and sophistication. Achieve the royal air with a swipe of strong lipstick, a matte complexion and a focus on classic tones. This look is certainly fit for a Queen (crown optional).

LANCOME L’ABSOLU ROUGE LIPSTICK

2. QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE – FRANCE

The Look – Rosy Cheeks

KIRSTEN DUNST IN MARIE ANTOINETTE

Despite her abominable governance, Marie Antoinette provided us with lasting catch phrases and endless beauty inspiration. With lavish tastes, she was a Queen of pomp and profligacy and her appearance no exception. Her mane was persistently bouffant and big – either swept up in a fancy up ‘do, including braids, plaits, knots and twists, or laid out in an abundance of curls which framed a highly powered face. Decadent French products were used to clean and tone, while a whitening paint was applied in order to achieve a desired, milky complexion – testament to the era. In all portraits depicting the sovereign, rosy pink-hued cheeks were a defining feature. Blend rouge across cheekbones and bow to her beauty look.

HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING BLUSH

3. QUEEN CLEOPATRA – EGYPT

The Look – Dramatic Eyes

ELIZABETH TAYLOR IN CLEOPATRA

Known as a “woman of surpassing beauty”, Cleopatra was the original Queen of the winged eyelid. In between gobbling grapes and governing pyramid construction, the Queen of Egypt upheld a dramatic beauty look and incredible style for the time. Women have been imitating the exaggerated make-up of the imagined Cleopatra for thousands of years; in particular Elizabeth Taylor’s famed rendition of the Pharaoh in 1963 spawned a beauty look which has been celebrated and replicated for years to come. With exaggerated black-lined sockets, a strong, linear cat-winged line and a touch of turquoise dabbed on lids – this is beauty at its theatrical best. Add some drama by applying a liquid liner; use sticky tape as a guide, placing it above the eye where you desire your line to run. The show must go on.

SMASHBOX LIMITLESS LIQUID LINER PEN

4. QUEEN – THE BAND

The Look – Big Hair

QUEEN

A Queen of a different Royal lineage, Freddie Mercury and the gang were the personification of 70’s glam rock. They rocked big hair like no other; be it the wild, plump curls of Brian May, the long, choppy locks of Roger Taylor, the thickened, wavy mane of John Deacon or Freddie’s buoyant mullet – volume was the key note to their look. With everything old new again, transport yourself to a time of Bohemian Rhapsody and fluff and puff your mane with a root lifting spray or volume powder, followed by a spritz of holding hairspray. A look that is most definitely “Killer Queen”.

SHU UEMURA VOLUME MAKER

5. QUEEN BEY – THE ULTIMATE

The Look – Endless Glow

BEYONCE

Queen Bey. Our go to for girly, sing-a-long car rides, empowered lyrics through break-ups, bootylicious, bodacious dance moves and of course beauty tips. Bey does it like no other; whether she’s channelling a natural earthy vibe with loose curls and softly bronzed cheeks, or demands the bright lights with diva-hued eyes and kapow lips – we all look to Beyonce to borrow a sprinkle of beauty magic. She is a chameleon in every sense of the word; beauty metamorphosis at its best. With hair and make-up chopping and changing as much as her music (and style), she is typically glam, rocking big and bold everything, and in a most flawless fashion. However one thing is for sure, she maintains a perennial glow. Become as radiant as Bey with the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze. Girls do run the world after all.