Two Sides to Beauty
When Beauty Meets Soul, it Becomes Timeless
There is something magnetic about the Old Hollywood icons who not only wore their looks but also lived them, embodying values that outlasted the trends we replicate decades later. These women understood style is never just about appearance. Rather, it is an expression of character, grace, and intention.
As God so gently reminds us in 1 Peter 3:3...
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
In exploring the signature looks of four legendary women who have inspired my own journey into classical elegance, I invite you to see their beauty as a dual gift: a timeless style to recreate, and a set of virtues to embrace. These women teach us that elegance is not simply a visual art but an art de vivre”—a way of being that intertwines beauty with soul, intention, and grace.
Audrey Hepburn
Eyes Of Innocence; Heart Of Gold
Audrey’s eyes have always held a kind of quiet magic. One that makes you believe the world is full of endless possibilities. She herself is quoted as saying, “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others.” Her beauty was never bold or demanding but gentle and inviting—a delicate invitation to kindness.
Get The Audrey Doe Eye:
Begin with a thin line of dark brown or black pencil liner, tracing just along the upper lash line. Don’t stress about perfection—a bit of imperfection adds to the look. Using an angled brush, gently blend the liner upward to lift and open the eyes, creating Audrey’s iconic doe-eyed effect. Curl your lashes and apply two coats of mascara, focusing on lengthening—especially at the outer corners.
For the lower lashes, keep it light and natural—my personal trick is to only apply mascara on the outer third to maintain that wide-eyed look. Finish with brows that are thick, well-groomed, and softly arched. Audrey’s thick brows add a youthful freshness and beautifully frame her eyes, influencing makeup artists even today.
Behind The Beauty:
Audrey’s humanitarian work shone as brightly as her smile. For years, she used her platform to advocate for children’s rights around the world with UNICEF, proving that beauty isn’t just what you see—it’s what you give. To honor her legacy, find ways to give back, whether through volunteering, supporting causes that uplift others, or simply committing to an act of service every day. True elegance isn’t just how you look—it’s how you move through the world with kindness.
“There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl’s complexion.”
—Holly Golightly
Brigitte Bardot
Bouche Mordue; Effortless Confidence
The French have a way of making beauty seem natural, like it’s simply part of who they are. Brigitte Bardot’s lips weren’t about fillers, contours, and perfect precision—they were about a lived-in, slightly imperfect allure that feels both intimate and authentic.
How To Master the Bouche Mordue
Translated in English as “Bitten Lip”, this French beauty secret’s charm lies in its imperfect, effortless finish. Begin by applying a nourishing lip balm to prep your lips. Choose a creamy, satin-finish red lipstick for a natural, velvety look. Instead of carefully outlining every edge of the look, gently press your lips together to soften the lines, creating that slightly blurred, “just kissed” effect. Keep the rest of your makeup minimal: curl your lashes and add a touch of Vaseline on your lids to maintain that soft, luminous “regard” that draws attention to your lips. For the skin, aim for a fresh, bare, or lightly dewy finish to let your lips truly stand out.
The Philosophy Behind the Lip:
Brigitte’s lip is a celebration of imperfection and unfiltered confidence. It reminds us that beauty doesn’t demand flawless execution—it thrives in honesty and individuality. Beyond her iconic look, Brigitte’s deep love for animals speaks to her genuine spirit—her passion for protecting and advocating for creatures in need mirrors the grace she carried. To embody her essence is to be both fierce and tender—unapologetically yourself in all your complexities.
Monica Bellucci
Beauty In Contrast + Powerful Presence
Often considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, Monica Bellucci expresses a beauty that is not about chasing after long-lost youth—it’s about deepening your womanhood. Her allure lives in the slowness of her gestures, the calm with which she speaks, and grounded sensuality that seeks not to be seen yet captivates nonetheless.
Up Your Own Allure:
Monica’s look is rarely overdone. A smoky eye here, a sculpted lip there—always enhancing, never hiding. Start with the eyes—this is where real drama lies. Use warm, smoky eyeshadows in deep shades of brown, plum, or mauve to create softness, but add intensity with contrast: a defined upper lash line using a dark pencil smudged slightly at the edges works wonders. Curl your lashes and coat with mascara—especially at the outer corners—to lift and deepen your gaze.
Then, balance that intensity with a soft, full lip. Choose a lip liner close to your natural tone and blend it gently inward. Fill in with a glossy lipstick in muted rose, berry, or mauve. The key is contrast: the boldness of the eyes paired with the softness of the lips. For skin, keep it radiant but not airbrushed. Use a light-to-medium coverage foundation that lets your texture breathe through. Add a touch of cream blush on the cheeks and a subtle highlighter—not sparkle, just to emphasize where the light naturally hits.
The Message:
Monica teaches us the quiet power of slowing down. In interviews, she doesn’t rush her answers—she listens, reflects, and speaks with rare stillness that draws you in. She’s not trying to harness femininity as aesthetic—she simply is feminine. That’s her allure: not in proving, but in being. Her beauty reminds us that presence is more magnetic than perfection or performance. Sensuality in its truest form is often found in the pauses. In a curious gaze that lingers. The confidence to take your time.
Marilyn Monroe
Luminous Skin; Vulnerable Strength
Marilyn’s glow was never just Hollywood glamour—it was a luminous reflection of the raw, complicated humanity behind the iconic persona. The Vaseline trick she famously used—gently dabbing a bit on her cheekbones and eyelids—gave her skin an ethereal, almost otherworldly glow.
Recreate Marilyn’s Glow:
After moisturizing, lightly tap a tiny amount of Vaseline or other clear balm onto your cheekbones and eyelids. Blend gently to avoid excess shine, aiming for a subtle, natural dew that catches the light in the most flattering way. Pair this with a sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer to keep skin fresh, breathable, and genuinely alive.
More Than Skin Deep:
Marilyn’s poignant real-life story reminds us that beauty often arises from resilience. She wrestled with loneliness and the heavy weight of fame, yet she owned her imperfections with a rare honesty. Beneath the glamour was a woman who longed for love, acceptance, and peace. Her success as an icon reminds us that true elegance is soul-deep. It embraces all parts of oneself…including the broken and unpolished. Marilyn’s glow, both on-screen and off, invites us to celebrate the courage it takes to be unapologetically real, allowing our own light to shine through in even the darkest moments.
Final Thoughts
The Beauty of Living Authentically
What makes these women unforgettable isn’t how they look—it’s who they are. There is always contrast at play: softness and strength, effortlessness and precision, presence without performance. These leading ladies knew that beauty is a mirror of how you carry yourself—how you love and how you live.
Audrey taught us that grace could be as bold as eyeliner. Brigitte made a blurred red lip feel more sincere than the most perfect painting. Marilyn glowed not just from Vaseline but from vulnerability. And Monica reminds us to be still—to speak slowly, move with care, and allow the world time to lean in.
Let these icons inspire more than aesthetics. Let them remind you that your art de vivre—your way of being—is what makes everything you wear (even makeup!) mean something. Beauty becomes timeless when the soul is its source. As you recreate these looks, do it with both your hands and your heart.
loved reading this in the "Leading Ladies" issue🤍 and I'm always here for the Biblical context!
Love how this connects inner beauty with outer expression. The Monica Bellucci section really hit home, especially the part about slowing down and being present rather than performing. I've been experimenting with that smoky mauve eye look and its surprisingly more wearable than the heavy blacks. The Biblical framing at the start adds depth most beauty content lacks.