Priscilla Presley Makeup: How to Get the Retro Glam Look

What’s old is new again, and that’s ever the case when a biopic renews interest in a 1960s glam diva like Priscilla Presley. First gaining fame as Elvis’s wife, Presley, 78, became a superstar in her own right, starring in the long-running TV series Dallas and the movie Naked Gun. While she has since hung up her acting hat, Presley’s makeup look continues to spark interest — especially with the recent release of the movie about her life, aptly titled Priscilla.

Since the film was released this past fall, online searches for “‘60s makeup” have soared nearly 500%, according to beauty ad wellness booking service Fresha, especially for Presley’s beehive bouffant and signature winged eyeliner. 

“The recent surge in searches reflects a collective fascination with her iconic look and indicates a modern resurgence of vintage beauty trends, cementing Priscilla as a beauty icon for the ages,” says Luca Hogan, spokesperson for Fresha. 

Always a fan of this timeless look, we went to celebrity makeup pros at the Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Guild’s “Meet the Nominees” Event in Los Angeles to find out how to get Priscilla Presley’s makeup right — and modernize it for today. 

What is the Priscilla Presley makeup look?

Presley’s signature look was heavy on the eyes, cat-eye liner a must, with a bold brow and a nude, muted lip. “It’s an iconic look, classic and sexy, and that’s why it’s worked for so many years,” says makeup artist Maha, who has worked with Margot Robbie and Jodie Foster. “I feel like they’re returning to the original version, which was very sexy. It could be very easy or hard to do, depending on how you break it down,” she adds. 

Rumor had it that Presley wore heavy makeup to look older (she met Elvis when she was just 14!), but other reports stated the actress was instructed by Elvis to always have her face on — even while at home. Whatever her reasoning, she was among the trendsetters of her time, and soon, women everywhere were seemingly saying ‘more is more’ when it came to makeup. 

Here’s a TikTok tutorial with user @Jackiewyers that explains it in depth!

Does Priscilla Presley makeup work for women now?

“The mob wife aesthetic is in right now, and natural beauty is out, so this is the perfect time for Priscilla’s dramatic look to come back,” says makeup pro Julie Hewitt, who has worked with Annette Benning, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman. “It’s timeless and especially stunning on women with light eyes because of the contrast.” 

While heavy makeup can make you look older (eek!), it can be a bold statement that brings out your best assets when done correctly.

Also appealing about the Naked Gun actresses’s mod look? It can all be done using just one tool. “Priscilla mastered using one pencil for the whole thing, from her brows to her winged liner and inner corner of the eye,” explains Ring My Belle makeup artist Mitzi Druss, who has worked with Jean Smart and Margot Robbie. “Topping that with 2-3 rows of lashes, glowy skin and a nude lip with a darker liner achieved a groovy show-stopping look worthy of a Vegas princess.” 

If you want to achieve the “Priscilla Presley makeup look,” we broke it down step-by-step, starting with brows, moving to the all-important eyes and finishing with the lips. 

Related: 6 Marilyn Monroe Makeup Looks: Celebrity Makeup Artist Reveals How To Re-Create Them