Remember the good old days when shows like Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries were all the rage?
These shows weren’t just about the drama – they shaped the way we saw beauty, with each character’s style becoming a trendsetter.
The makeup? Think effortless glam that highlights natural beauty – polished but still totally relatable. Here’s your guide to recreating those iconic 2010s TV makeup looks.
So, What Defines the 2010s TV Makeup Looks?
TV show heroines in the 2010s often rocked a polished yet effortless glam vibe, but each character added their own spin to the trend.
Take Suits’ Rachel Zane (played by Meghan Markle), for example – she went for a clean, professional look with flawless skin and a nude lip. Meanwhile, The Vampire Diaries’ Elena Gilbert embraced a more natural, subtly smoky style, matching her character’s mysterious vibe.
On Scandal, Olivia Pope nailed powerful elegance with glowy skin, soft tones, and subtly defined features. From nude lips and dewy skin to soft smoky eyes, these makeup looks all celebrated an almost “perfectly imperfect” beauty.
Recreate 2010’s TV Makeup Looks!
Step 1: Perfect Those Brows
Source: @lilychilds/TikTok
In the 2010s, bold brows weren’t the go-to look like they are today. Instead, the focus was on natural, subtly groomed brows.
Characters on TV rocked neatly shaped, softly arched brows. To recreate this, simply use a clear brow gel to tidy them up, then fill them in gently with a soft brow pencil, like the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil, for a natural, effortless finish.
Use a brow pencil or powder that matches your hair colour to fill in sparse areas, but don’t go overboard. Rachel Zane and Spencer Hastings (Pretty Little Liars) both had softly defined brows that looked natural and effortlessly chic.
Step 2: The Flawless Base
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No matter the character, the leading ladies of the 2010s always had smooth, matte skin that looked effortlessly natural. Keep it simple with a lightweight foundation or a matte tinted moisturiser for that polished finish.
TikToker @lilachilds suggests using the Urban Decay Face Bond Foundation, mentioning that just a small amount goes a long way, giving you a flawless finish without the heavy feel of makeup.
Step 3: Concealing Helps Nail The Look
Source: @lilychilds/TikTok
For covering dark circles, blemishes, or any imperfections, grab the Hourglass Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer. Its lightweight, full-coverage formula does an amazing job of blurring imperfections, giving you smooth, flawless skin without feeling heavy.
Step 4: Enhance Your Features with Bronzer
Contouring in the 2010s was all about subtlety. The characters often rocked a sculpted look rather than a bold bronzed glow. To achieve that natural definition, lightly sweep a matte bronzer under your cheekbones and along your jawline for a soft, contoured finish.
This creates the illusion of sharper features without going overboard, giving you a more defined yet effortless look.
When blending, aim for a smooth finish without any harsh lines for a flawless appearance. Picture Elena Gilbert from The Vampire Diaries – her beautifully defined cheekbones and gentle, natural contour were always spot on, creating a perfect yet subtle look.
Step 5: Go for a Subtle Rosy Blush
Blush in the 2010s was all about keeping it soft with a rosy or slightly peachy tint, mainly focusing on the tops of your cheekbones. The key?
Leave the centre of your face clean and let the blush gently boost your natural radiance. TikToker @lilachilds swears by the Monica Blunder Liquid Blush for achieving this vibe.
If that’s tricky to find, you can’t go wrong with Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush or Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush for that perfect understated flush.
This look gives off a soft, youthful glow, reminiscent of characters like Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl and Lydia Martin from Teen Wolf, both of whom rocked a fresh, radiant appearance.
DV Pro tip: Stick to blush tones that complement your natural flush, like soft pinks or peaches, to keep it as natural as possible.
Step 6: Work on Your Eyes & Lashes
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This is where you can really personalise your look!
For Elena Gilbert’s iconic style, go for a softly smoked brown eyeshadow to add a hint of drama. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Eyeshadow Palette Mini is a great choice, featuring rich brown shades that blend smoothly for that sultry vibe.
If you’re aiming for Serena van der Woodsen’s effortlessly stylish appearance, stick with neutral, shimmery eyeshadows like soft browns and golds. Make sure to blend them well to keep things soft and seamless.
Source: Wikipedia
On the other hand, if Aria from Pretty Little Liars is your muse, lean into a smokier look with darker shades like deep greys or charcoal in the outer corners. For eyeliner, a brown shade will give you a softer definition – just smudge it a bit for that relaxed, lived-in feel.
And don’t forget the mascara! It’s essential for making your lashes pop, just like these characters, adding that perfect finishing touch to open up your eyes.
Step 7: Shiny Lips or Subtle Mattes
A lot of these memorable characters opted for lips that appeared both natural and refined. Take Serena, for example; her character often sported glossy, nude tones that brought a hint of glam without stealing the spotlight.
Source: @elinaevns/TikTok
Blair had her signature look with classic pink and red lips that really made her stand out in a classy way. Rachel Zane, on the other hand, had a more neutral matte look, striking a balance between professional and friendly.
If you want that true 2010s vibe, opt for soft pinks or nude lip colours in a satin or semi-matte finish, or try a sheer gloss for that added shine.
Step 8: Lock in Your Look with a Light Powder Touch
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To keep your makeup in place all day, finish with a light dusting of setting powder, like the one from Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder. It sets everything in place without feeling heavy or cakey.
Recreating these 2010s makeup looks is all about balance. The key is to achieve that glamorous yet effortless vibe. Channel the nostalgic beauty of the era, but feel free to add your own modern twist to make it uniquely yours!
