Can I Recreate Priscilla Presley Makeup With Modern Products?

That Priscilla Presley vibe—big winged eyeliner, soft matte skin, and that delicate, slightly pouty lip—has been on my makeup mood board for ages, and yes, you can absolutely recreate it with modern products. I like to start by treating it like a vintage recipe: the proportions matter more than the exact ingredients. Prep skin with a hydrating primer if your skin is dry or a mattifying one if you tend to get shiny; the original look reads matte but not flat, so a skin-smoothing base helps. For foundation I go for a medium-coverage, long-wear formula applied thinly with a damp sponge so the finish stays natural yet velvety. Set only where you need it—light dusting of translucent powder on the T-zone keeps the look true to the 60s without looking cakey.

Eyes are where you’ll capture the soul of Priscilla’s look. Modern gel liners give the control of a pencil and the pigment of liquid—use a gel or liquid to draw a strong, crisp line across the lash line and extend it into a dramatic wing that lifts at the outer corner. Tightline the upper waterline to make lashes look denser. Creamy beige or soft taupe shadows on the lid create that clean, spacious eye; a slightly deeper matte in the crease adds dimension without heavy smoky drama. False lashes are non-negotiable for authenticity: pick a wispy style heavier at the outer half to mimic that 60s feline lift. If you prefer modern shortcuts, layered mascara and individual clusters can build a similar effect. Don’t forget the lower lash line—softly smoked pencil or shadow under the outer third balances the wing.

Brows and lips finish it off. Priscilla’s brows were well-defined with a soft arch, so use a fine brow pencil to draw hair-like strokes and a tinted gel to set them. Cheeks are subtle—choose a soft rose or peach cream blush and blend high on the cheekbones for a natural flush. For lips, mix a muted pink and a hint of peach or beige lipstick, then blot to achieve that soft, lived-in matte. Modern multitaskers like cream blushes, long-wear liquid liners, and weightless foundations make recreating vintage looks faster and kinder to skin. Try a few practice runs and tweak the wing and brow to flatter your face shape; I always find small adjustments make a huge difference. Practicing this look always leaves me smiling—there’s something so playful yet elegant about it.

If you want a streamlined, practical route to Priscilla Presley's makeup using today’s products, I’d keep it simple and focused: skin, eyes, lashes, brows, lips. Start with a smooth, medium-coverage foundation and lightly set where you need longevity. For the eyes, a high-pigment gel or liquid liner to create a thick upper line and a pronounced wing is the quickest shortcut to that 60s drama. Use a neutral matte shadow on the lid and a slightly darker shade in the crease to add depth without taking over.

False lashes or dense mascara are key—go for styles that emphasize the outer corners to lift the eye. Keep the lower lashes defined but delicate with a light smudge of brown or black shadow rather than heavy pencil. Shape brows into a tidy, slightly arched silhouette using a pencil and clear gel. Finish cheeks with a soft peach-rose cream blush and lips with a muted pink-beige shade, blotted for a natural matte finish. The modern twist I love is using long-wear formulas so the look lasts all day without touch-ups. Quick tip: use a small piece of tape or a business card under your eye to get a razor-sharp wing. I enjoy how easy it is now to marry vintage glam with contemporary comfort—it's a style that still feels fresh on me.