Monday's Make-up Muse - Grace Kelly

This is a bit cheaty because it's not just her make-up that makes Grace Kelly such a muse not only for make-up artists but actresses, stylists, writers and designers - she is the whole package. Elegant, stylish, chic and classically beautiful. That being said I think she often gets over-looked in favour of others, such as Marilyn Monroe (who I will feature as a Monday's Make-up Muse) and Audrey Hepburn (who won't). But if you break down the different parts of her face (always a cruel thing to do I know) there is nothing that 'wow' about her, though she does have fantastic bone structure, but put it all together and the outcome is striking and elegant. She is also consistently described by those who knew and worked with her as 'the nicest lady' they'd ever met and I think this 'niceness' shines through. Beauty is not only skin deep and here that really shows - she has incredible poise.
 

picture from Blue Velvet Vintage

She always manages to look well put together and chic, very rarely do you see a picture of her wearing something terrible (there's one of her and Princess Diana at the Opera... not a great dress there). Even her jewelry is well-chosen and 'just-right'. Her hair is always perfectly coiffed, usually in a side parting with beautifully done curls, and her make-up is nearly always the same, muted red lip, discrete liner and a little blush on porcelain skin. Sadly for those of us wanting to look like her she is famous for being a 'natural' beauty - wearing, and needing, little make-up but for those of us who aren't so lucky there are some tips below...

Eye shadows - usually very pale but sometimes blue-enhancing taupe's or browns a cream format would give the subtle look associated with Grace Kelly. Kiko Long Lasting Eye Shadow stick in 07 Golden Beige would be a great one to use and the slight gold tint would suit blue eyes. MAC's Paint Pot in Painterly (a bare nude) or Bare Study (soft beige with gold pearl) are also great choices. A light wash of Charlotte Tilbury's Colour Chameleon in Champagne Diamonds would be great for blue eyes.

Eye Liners - A gel liner would be best for this if you can - my favourite is Inglot's AMC Gel Liner in 77 Black with a MAC 266 angled brush. If you find it easier to use a pen liner then Collection 24hr Felt Tip liner is great and long lasting or Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner is another lovely option.

Skin - getting skin like Grace Kelly is slightly harder to achieve. She never looks like she has that full-on coverage but then I don't think she necessarily needed it. If you don't then MAC's Face and Body gives a beautiful sheer finish (but is very buildable if you need a bit more) as does the Estee Lauder EE Cream, though it comes in a limited colour range. If you need more coverage nothing makes me feel more film star than Dior's Star Fluid Foundation as long as you skin is nicely moisturised and you blend it in well.

Blush - you want a barely there healthy look so a cream is ideal here. You'll need to find something to match your skin but Kiko's Velvet Touch Creamy Blush Sticks are gorgeous and will have a lovely subtle range of colours. Or you can use this as an excuse to invest in the famous The Multiple from NARS.

Lips - again this depends a lot on your skin tone. It would be very easy to Grace Kelly to go for the more trashy reds but she tones it down a little and looks classic. YSL's Rouge Volupte Rouge in Danger and MAC's Ladybug are good choices. For a more high street price Rimmel lipsticks are fantastic and Alarm will work for most skin tones. For a sheer coverage I love Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm, Rose is a good Grace Kelly colour to go for.

My favourite outfit from my favourite Grace Kelly film Rear Window