Makeup Movie Inspo: Down With Love

When I was in high school, and had HBO, the film Down With Love played constantly. And I loved it. It was kitschy, satirical, cute, and hilarious.

I've been watching a lot of videos, a lot from Georgia Harris, that discuss fictional makeup inspiration. And weirdly enough, there's something about the makeup in Down With Love that even now I can't can't over.

Lessgo.

The movie is set in the 60's, on the cusp of the sexual revolution. Barbara Novak, played by Renee Zellweger,  writes this best-selling novel denouncing "love," urging women to put their wants and desires first. Catcher Block, a writer for a "man's" magazine ends up trying to one-up Novak, but they both end up falling in love.

What do I love about the makeup in this movie?

Simplicity.

Renee Zellweger has very hooded eyes, so what they did was line them with mascara to make her blue eyes pop, and add one light shade on the lid.



This movie's use of color is everything!!!



Below, we have a bit of blue eyeshadow and a light lip color.

We can see white eyeshadow here, perhaps to contrast the black of her dress. Notice Mr. McGregor's inversion of this color scheme. 

But my favorite look from the movie? When Catcher tries to apply for a job at Novak's magazine, as one last appeal to her.

She is wearing all-white, and a dash of blue eyeshadow.

Looking at the stills now, one can easily see her brows are a different color. So the hair change shouldn't have been that big of a surprise.

Now, I don't wear blue eyeshadow. Or white eyeshadow. But what I appreciate so much from this film is how simple looks can be so effective. Of course, this simplicity is from the mod style of the 60's, completely counter to the hippie movement, but I like this so much. I feel like the makeup almost helps emphasize the rapid-fire movement of the dialogue, the jokes, the pace, the visual gags, etc.

Not only that, Novak has very very light blush on the apples of her cheeks, and a slight sheen on the high points of her face. Very simple, and at times Zellwegger almost gets washed out, but the eyes and lips save it.

How do I draw inspiration from this?

My one-shadow looks. Me going heavy with eyeliner on the corner of my eyelid that is most prominent. Choosing one feature to emphasize, rather than all of them.

If you have not already, please watch this film! You won't regret it.

Thanks for reading!