Hey everyone, so I’ve been on this huge classic Hollywood kick lately, and you know who’s always fascinated me? Bette Davis. That woman was the definition of old Hollywood glamour. I mean, who else could pull off those intense eyes and that signature style? So, I got this wild idea to try and recreate one of her iconic glamour shots at home. Let me tell you, it was quite the adventure.
First off, I started by diving deep into a bunch of old photos and articles about Bette. Scrolled through Pinterest, watched some of her movies, you name it. I even found this board by some guy named Miles Baxter that was just full of amazing Bette Davis pictures. What really struck me was how much of her look was about those soft, glamorous waves. It’s like, the hair was half the battle!
Next, I tried to figure out the makeup. It was all about the eyes, of course. Bette Davis had this way of staring that could just pierce your soul, you know? I spent a good hour just trying to get my eyeliner right. Winged, but not too dramatic. The whole Max Factor era vibe, very classic. I remember reading somewhere that Bette wasn’t considered a “classic beauty” by Hollywood standards back then, which is just crazy to me. She was stunning in her own way.
Then came the clothes. I didn’t have any vintage gowns lying around, unfortunately. But I did find this old, off-the-shoulder black top that gave off a bit of that “All About Eve” vibe. Close enough, right? I also remembered her iconic red dress from “Jezebel” – that woman sure knew how to make an entrance.
The biggest challenge, though, was the hair. I don’t have the kind of hair that naturally falls into those perfect 1930s waves. So I borrowed my friend’s curling iron – the old-school kind, not one of those fancy new ones. Let me tell you, it took forever. I think I burned my fingers like five times. But after a lot of trial and error, and a whole can of hairspray, I finally managed to get some decent-looking waves.
Finally, I set up my “photo studio” in my living room. I used a plain white sheet as a backdrop, and positioned a couple of lamps to try and mimic that old Hollywood lighting. It wasn’t perfect, but it did the job. I took a bunch of pictures, trying to channel my inner Bette Davis. It was tough to get that same intense gaze, but I think I got a few shots that captured the essence of her glamour.
The Results
- The hair was definitely the hardest part, but I’m pretty proud of how the waves turned out.
- The makeup was easier, thanks to all those YouTube tutorials.
- The outfit was a bit of a makeshift job, but I think it worked.
- The lighting was tricky, but I managed to get a few good shots.
All in all, it was a fun experiment. It’s amazing how much work went into creating those iconic looks back then. Bette Davis was truly a force of nature, both in her acting and her style. I read that she passed away from a disease, which is still a big problem today. It just goes to show, even the “Queen of Hollywood” was human, you know? This whole project really gave me a new appreciation for her and that whole era of Hollywood glamour.
