French New Wave Fashion - Brigitte Bardot Biography

The Bardot Look

French sex kitten Brigitte Bardot had one of the sultriest come-hither looks of her time (and it still cooks today - for example, famed designer Robert Cavalli found inspiration in her makeup for his spring 2009 runway show, featuring the work of cosmetics guru Pat McGrath).

Not all of us were born blond, but you can create a Bardot-inspired mood using the right sexy makeup and wearing your hair in loose, luscious curls. A crash course in totally retro—but still relevant—Brigitte Bardot makeup:

Black Out Eye Makeup
Use eyeshadow base to adhere dark eye shadow to your lid. Brigitte Bardot achieved sexy bedroom eyes by way of black makeup, rimmed from lash to lash and smudged all over the lid. Use an angled eyeliner brush with a pointed tip to paint your upper and lower lashes in luxe noir color. Dip the brush in a cream eyeliner and apply it in several layers to increase the intensity, making sure to extend the outer corners of the eye upward and outward in a cat-like style. Smoke it out by sweeping coal eye shadow on top and smudging it with a brush. Wear the same coal eye shadow on your lids and highlight your browbone with a light gold shadow. As a finishing touch, secure a full strip of false eyelashes to the upper lid with lash glue. Try on faux lashes by uploading a photo to our free online makeover studio.

Light Eyebrows
Brigitte was blond, so her brows were fair. Make dark, smoky eyes the focal point of your look by keeping brows nude. If you are a brunette, use an eyebrow pencil a shade lighter than your natural brow color and brush them upward with a highlighting brow gel with blond or caramel highlights (Anastasia makes a great brow tint gel).

Nude Apicot Lips
Nude lips with subtle apricot undertones are Brigitte Bardot's makeup signature. Use a nude lip liner pencil to outline your pout, then slick on concealer to tone down the natural color in your lips. Apply the lipstick with your fingertip and layer to get your desired effect. Skip the gloss to get a Bardot inspired matte effect that's so sex kitten.

Sexy Bedroom Hair
Brigitte Bardot is the queen of tousled hairstyles. To cultivate Bardot's sexy boudoir mood, regardless of whether or not you have long blond hair, leave it down and create large undulating waves with large Velcro rollers. Try a deep side part or style long bangs over one eye in Jessica Rabbit fashion.You can also channel Brigitte Bardot by curling your hair and wearing a half up, half down hairstyle with spilled tendrils. Tease the roots at the crown for extra lift and pin the top layer of the hair back with oh-so-discreet bobby pins. --Stephanie Simons