Here’s how you can recreate the mesmerizing makeup looks from “The Love Witch”
-Beauty is power and that saying rings true in Anna Biller’s captivating film The Love Witch. This is seriously the revenge, witchcraft, feminist movie we NEED right now. After watching the trailer, I was bewitched by the film’s star, Samantha Robinson, for her enchanting performance as Elaine, a modern-day witch who is on a mission to make men fall in love with her. She seems very good at it thanks to her magic skills. The movie is straight out of a 1960s Technicolor film, the costume design is mesmerizing, and so are Elaine’s dreamy makeup looks. That’s why I recreated two of her most dazzling beauty looks — I want to hypnotize just as many people as Elaine (kinda kidding) and it’s so easy to achieve that anyone can look and feel like a Love Witch goddess.
This makeup gives off ~ when Valley of the Dolls meets Lana Del Rey ~ vibes. The film’s makeup artist, Emma Willis, gifted us with these gorgeous looks that will have us putting spells on people in no time.
Makeup look #1: Elaine’s bold and beautiful blue eye makeup.
This is the beauty look Elaine wears throughout the film the most, and it’s truly iconic, magnetic, and powerful. Imagine just how many spells she’s thinking about casting with that blue eyeshadow. It’s truly magical.
Here’s what you’ll need to rock this enchanting look:
1. Maybelline Eyestudio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in the shade Tenacious Teal, $6.99
2. House of Lashes false lashes in Featherette, $12.99
3. House of Lashes Mini Lashes Adhesive Set, $9
4. L’Oréal Volumnious Miss Magna Mascara, $7.99
5. Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara, $23
6. Palladio Herbal Eyeliner Shimmer in Black, $6.49
7. Absolute New York Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in White, $4.99
8. NYX powder blush in Mocha, $4.63
9. Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaSlicks Balm Stain in Coral of the Story, $2.99
10. Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss in Great Coral-ation, $1.99
Step 1: Apply the balm lipstick.
So I kind of cheated and applied the NYX powder blush when I applied my foundation, translucent powder, and a touch of bronzer to give the illusion that I have the same cheekbones as Samantha Robinson. But you don’t have to do this at all. Stick to your normal foundation and powder routine. Just add the pinky, peachy blush listed above to give your cheeks a rosy flush like Elaine’s.
Step 2: Apply the lip gloss over the balm stain.
To make your lips stand out, add the Wet ‘n’ Wild coral lip gloss. In The Love Witch, Elaine’s lips are always glossy, and we don’t blame her. It adds a touch of sultry!
Step 3: Add the bold blue eyeshadow to your eyelids.
The best part about this eye look is that you don’t have to blend until your hands bleed. You literally just put the blue shadow on your lids! You can even take the shadow above your crease since Elaine’s eyeliner is thick. I used an old drugstore flat synthetic brush to apply my eyeshadow. Since the product is more of a cream shadow than a powder one, the synthetic brush allows for the color to pick up on the brush. If you don’t own a synthetic brush, don’t sweat it. Just dab your regular brush in water, squeeze it tight to flatten the brush, and it should pick up the cream shadow just fine.
Step 4: Add white eyeliner, black eyeliner, and mascara to the bottom lashes.
If you look closely, Elaine’s eyes have white eyeliner on the rim of her lids, and she has black eyeliner drawn right underneath. Her lashes aren’t crazy, but they do pop!
While it’s hard to not get your black eyeliner on the white part of your lids, you can always correct it by adding white eyeliner! I used the L’Oréal Miss Manga mascara because the brush isn’t thick and it really separates the lashes while still making them stand out.
Step 5: Black eyeliner time!
Because I’m seriously the worst at winged eyeliner, I used tape and an old black pencil eyeliner before applying my liquid liner. To do this, I placed a small piece of regular scotch tape (that has been collecting dust in my arts and crafts drawer) and I used the shadow as my marker. I placed the tape right where my shadow ended, and I put the tape diagonally from my lower lid to the end of my brows. Once I applied the tape on both sides, I started from the top and slowly moved to the bottom of my lid.
Step 6: Apply liquid eyeliner.
Luckily, Elaine’s eyeliner is thick, so it’s okay to mess up and go way above your lid.
After applying the pencil liner, I traced it with my black liquid eyeliner that way it has more of a slick look. Plus, liquid eyeliner will last longer throughout the day.
Step 7: Apply mascara
Apply mascara that gives your lashes length and volume. I used Too Faced’s Better than Sex Mascara, but you can use any product that works best for you. Maybelline has some great options that will do the trick. After my mascara dried, I applied false lashes — the House of Lashes in Featherette. The falsies added drama to the look, but this part is entirely optional.
Here is the finished look!
As Elaine would probably say, “eat your heart out!” Probably.
Makeup look # 2: Elaine’s dreamy, purple haze eye makeup.
This is the second beauty look Elaine wears throughout the film, and it’s a gorgeous pastel dream that seriously looks so ~charming~ in real life. Time to break some hearts, ladies! The great thing about these two looks is that you’re pretty much using the same beauty products and following the same steps.
Here’s what you’ll need to rock this enchanting look:
1. Maybelline Eyestudio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Paintee Purple, $6.99
2. House of Lashes false lashes in Featherette, $12.99
3. House of Lashes Mini Lashes Adhesive Set, $9
4. L’Oréal Volumnious Miss Magna Mascara, $7.99
5. Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara, $23
6. Palladio Herbal Eyeliner Shimmer in Black, $6.49
7. Absolute New York Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in White, $4.99
8. NYX powder blush in mocha, $4.63
9. Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaSlicks Balm Stain in Coral of the Story, $2.99
10. CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick in Ravishing Rose, $6.99
Step 1: Apply the pink lipstick.
Not only is this lipstick the definition of feminine, but I love that it has a nice gloss and shine to it. Elaine’s pink lipstick is definitely glimmery, and I love that I can use one product to achieve her lipstick look. Again, I cheated and applied my NYX blush before applying the lipstick.
Step 2: Add the shimmery purple eyeshadow to your eyelids.
Elaine wears this purple look in two different ways — sometimes her shadow is the center of attention and other times, it’s simply there to add a dash of life to her eyes.
I love that this purple shadow can create different looks — you can either go bold or simply add a touch of color to your eyes. While the blue shadow was much easier to apply because the pigment was better, you’re able to build up this purple shadow and there’s more room for mistakes.
Step 3: Apply liquid eyeliner.
Again, you can follow my first pencil liner step in the first look, or you can go straight to the liquid liner. Elaine’s eyeliner is thick for both looks, so don’t be afraid to add more shadow and drama to your eyes.
Step 4: Apply mascara.
Use mascara that will make your lashes look full. Again, I used Too Faced’s Better than Sex Mascara, but most Maybelline mascaras will give you just as much volume as the high-end one I used. In this look, I also appliedHouse of Lashes falsies in Featherette.
Step 5: Here’s the finished look.
If you can’t take your eyes off of these bewitching looks — and Samantha Robinson for that matter (I know I have a new girl crush) — the film is already playing in select theaters.
