The cat-eye is a timeless makeup technique. I remember first seeing this look on Elizabeth Taylor in her famous 1963 title role Cleopatra. However, Taylor did not only wear the cat-eye while filming. In fact, she was known for revolutionizing the ancient Egyptian look into a 20th century must-do. The cat-eye is back this spring and seems hotter than ever; Ms. Taylor would be proud.
As I mentioned earlier, eyeliner goes back all the way to ancient Egypt and used to be made out of water and a blend of minerals. Back then it was common for both males and females to wear eyeliner on their bottom and top eyelids. However, ancient Egyptians did not just wear it for looks. Eyeliner was used to keep bacteria out of their eyes and reflect light. Egyptians also believed eye-liner could keep away the “evil eye” and if entombed in eye-liner, it would bring them closer to the gods.
It seemed eyeliner was buried with the Egyptian remains until the 1920s.
At the start of women’s liberation, eyeliner reappeared as women began applying makeup more freely.
Women often wore it around their entire lids which today would seem almost raccoon-ish...however, eyeliner was back!
In the 1950s liquid liner was created and the cat-eye was officially in style again! Celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor are known for making it such a glamorous and “eye cat-ching” look. Now, nearly 65 years later, the trend is just as popular.
For the photo-shoot, I infused the iconic cat-eye into a more natural and simple look. To me spring is the in-between phase of makeup where you are slowly deterring from the heavy layers of winter to the full-fledged bronzed natural summer beauty. I used the dramatic cat-eye with red lipstick and teased curls and contrasted it with natural blush and no eye-shadow. I then styled the model with a southern twang… yes, a southern twang. It may be hard to picture a woman wearing both a cat-eyes and cowboy boots, but that is exactly what I love. Instead of traditional old-Hollywood glamour, I went with more natural and earthy beauty.