From Veronica Lake and Marilyn Monroe in the 1940s and 1950s to Dita von Teese today, pin ups have been hung on walls and billboards for generations and loved and admired by men and women. Regardless of size, these girls wear dresses that accentuate their curves while highlighting their charm, which makes them beautiful, fun and elegant at the same time. To become a pin up yourself, you need to find the right balance between style, natural beauty, grace and confidence.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: The Hair
Step 1. Get your hair curly
The curled-at-the-tip hair was a very popular hairstyle among pin-ups. Often, they got the curls with a "perm" process that made the hair more docile, but you can achieve the same result even without using chemicals.
- How to get them: put some gel on the roots of a section of damp hair, then run it around your finger until it reaches the scalp; you can decide in which direction to curl it. Remove your finger from the lock and stop the ring. Repeat on each strand and let the hair dry and then remove the barrettes.
- Online you can find countless authentically vintage ways to style your curls. There are also books showing how to make these hairstyles.
- You can also use heated rollers or a curling iron, although it will take a lot of practice before getting the style right.
Step 2. Consider using a wig
If you have very short hair or do not want to get curls, choose a wig with a hairstyle in the pin up style you prefer; you can easily find them on the Internet.
Step 3. Add an accessory
Pin up hair was very simple and didn't use a lot of products, but feel free to add some personality to your look with the help of some accessories.
You can put a flower in your hair, use a bandana or a nice bow. You can also use clothespins or pliers
Part 2 of 3: The Makeup
Step 1. Start with clean and hydrated skin; it must be free from imperfections
Find good skin care products and use them daily.
Step 2. Apply foundation
Pin-ups need to have flawless skin, so use a good foundation that comes as close to your natural color as possible. Add a cream concealer to hide any dark circles or blemishes, then apply the powder to set the makeup.
Step 3. Look after your brows
Comb it and make it stand out. First, brush them until they are neat, then add some powder or an eyebrow pencil that is a shade or two darker than your skin. It will allow you to get a touch of intensity, without making you look too flashy.
If it's been a while since you last used tweezers, do so before combing and coloring them
Step 4. Make up your eyes
Together with the lips, they are the main point of a pin-up's makeup.
- Apply a vanilla or champagne eyeshadow all over the upper eyelid, use a darker neutral color for the outline and blend.
- Next, use the black liquid eyeliner, making sure to draw a curl on the outer corner of the eye. This is what is called "Cat's Eye".
- Let the eyeliner dry and then apply at least two coats of lengthening and strengthening mascara. It would be best to try this look a few times before using it in public.
- For an added touch, try applying false lashes before mascara. It can be difficult, but it's worth it.
Step 5. Think of the lips; those of the pin ups should be red (the hue depends on the color of your skin)
- Outline the shape of the lips with a red pencil and, when you get to the center, create a well-marked, "V" shaped cupid's bow. Complete the look with a lipstick that matches the color of the pencil. Don't forget to remove any burrs!
- Regardless of your skin color, there is the right shade of red for you. There are countless to choose from, from blood red to cherry red or fiery red and so on. Have fun experimenting!
Step 6. Add a beauty mark
Use a brown pencil to draw a mole on your face. Black would be too flashy; a dark brown, on the other hand, would be more realistic.
Step 7. Don't forget your nails
Dark red, auburn or pink are perfect colors but you can also try black, which was very fashionable. Keep them medium to long, with the tips tapered and thin but not sharp.
Pin up girls often left the cuticle crescent without polish or used French manicure
Part 3 of 3: The Pin Up Wardrobe
Step 1. Inspired by the 1940s and 1950s
Your goal is to create a seductive hourglass silhouette; chemisier and tight belts at the waist are perfect.
- Inspired by the pin-up style of the past you most admire. Ava Gardner, Jayne Mansfield, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, Kim Novak, Jane Russel, Betty Gable and Marilyn Monroe are all great role models.
- Even using these women as a reference, find your own unique style; is what makes the experience of dressing up as a pin up more fun and fulfilling.
Step 2. Check out vintage and thrift stores
Look for authentic vintage pieces, such as circle dresses, pencil skirts, Cuban heel stockings, rounded toe pumps, petticoats, ¾ or long sleeve cardigans and high-waisted Capri pants; to give some examples.
- If you don't live near one of these stores, you can search for these dresses on the Internet. You can also buy reproductions of vintage dresses on company sites like Bettie Page Clothing and Stop Staring!
- Vintage clothes were actually produced in that precise era, while retro ones modeled on those of the past, but were made more recently. If the clothes you own were made before the 1980s, look for the "made in the USA" or your country brand; the country of creation must always be expressed on the label; if you find the word "made in China", it is a sign that the dress is not vintage at all.
- Clothes made of cotton, linen, or other natural fabrics are more likely to actually be vintage.
- Instead of buying clothes, you could find fabrics with vintage prints and make them yourself. It takes time and a bit of dexterity; however, it is better to leave it to those who have experience in sewing.
Step 3. Reuse what you already have
Some clothes in your wardrobe, such as turtleneck or V-neck sweaters, were fashionable in those years; use them for your new look. Also try putting on a cardigan by buttoning it at the back.
Step 4. Purchase an underwire bra
It's what you need to have the figure of Marilyn Monroe, which was all the rage in the pin up era.
Step 5. Invest in a bust or corset
1940s and 1950s style dresses are designed to be worn with basic clothing, so consider investing in a vintage corset that will give you an enviable silhouette.
Even if you don't have an hourglass shape, these garments will help you pretend you do
Advice
- Perfume can add an extra touch. "My Sin" is now out of production, but you can spray yourself with some Vertivert, White Diamonds (cheaper alternative than Elizabeth Taylor) or Chanel # 5. Put some on a cotton ball and hide it in the bra; this way you won't waste too much perfume.
- Watch movies from the 1940s and 1950s to get new ideas.
- Rockabilly is a modern take on the pin up style and is also a style of music often associated with burlesque. In addition to the classic pin up style, cherries, leopard look, roses, sugar skulls are among the most popular designs for dresses and handbags. Also popular are sparrows, bows, roses, stars, sugar skulls (Mexican skulls), and casino and nautical style accessories.
