Anya Taylor-Joy is a vibe. The “Queen’s Gambit” star might be known for those killer acting chops, but can we talk about her makeup game for a sec? Like, HELLO — she serves up some serious vintage fantasy with her glam, and I’m obsessed. Her entire look is like a modern take on classic ’50s and ’60s vibes, but with a fresh twist. Think bold cat eyes, flawless skin, and the perfect pout. If you’re into that whole iconic, sophisticated-but-still-fun-baddie energy, then keep reading. Because today, we’re breaking down how to get Anya Taylor-Joy’s vintage-inspired makeup look!
Ready to step up your glam? Let’s do this.
SKIN PREP IS KEY, BABES 🌟
Before you even think about reaching for that eyeliner, let’s talk about what really matters: the base (but no spoilers: it’s all about ~flawless~ skin). Anya’s makeup always looks super smooth and glowy, so making sure your skin is right is everything. It’s like trying to paint a masterpiece on a crumpled canvas — we don’t do that here.
First things first: hydration. Grab that hydrating moisturizer and make sure your skin is quenched and plump. If you need any recs, you can never go wrong with the Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer. Light, hydrating, and it smells like a summer dream. Anya’s skin always looks soft and healthy, so we’re going for that lit-from-within glow. And babes, don’t forget sunscreen — always protect your skin!
Once that’s soaked in, it’s time to prime. You want your makeup to last all day (and night), just like Anya’s makeup on the red carpet. A classic pick? The Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Primer for pore-blurring and giving you that smooth finish we’re dying for.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT FLAWLESS COMPLEXION 🎨✨
Anya’s complexion is snatched — always. Super soft and doll-like. But you don’t have to hit the genetic jackpot to achieve her look. It just comes down to smart product layering.
Start with a lightweight foundation or even a BB cream if you wanna keep it more natural but still flawless. The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation is great because yeah, it’s full coverage, but never too much. It gives that same smooth finish that Anya is known for. And the best part? It’s so buildable. Start with a small amount and tap it in with a damp Beauty Blender for that seamless second-skin look.
Next, move on to concealer! Anya’s undereyes are brightened without looking too stark. Try the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer — it’s bomb. Apply it in the usual spots: under your eyes, the middle of your forehead, and a little on your chin. Blend it out for that lifted look but keep it soft.
Now, if you’re going for that ~vintage glam~, you’re gonna want a little extra sculpting action (contour time!). Anya never goes overly harsh on contour, so keep it subtle. Use a cool-tone bronzer, like the Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Bronzer, to give just the right amount of shadows without stealing attention from those sharp eyeliner wings we’re gonna do later.
And if you really wanna level up your face game? Set all your hard work with a light powder, but don’t go matte. Anya’s skin is soft and healthy looking. A little glow = chef’s kiss. Opt for something like the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder to keep the shine at bay while still being luminous.
CHEEKS THAT MAKE YOU BLUSH 💗
For blush… oh, honey, this is where the fun truly starts.
Anya is all about keeping things fresh but timeless. We want that rosy, flushed-from-within vibe so go for soft pink or peachy shades — think Benefit Cosmetics GALifornia Blush or Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. Those are great for a natural wash of color!
Lightly sweep some blush across your cheekbones, going a bit higher to give that lifted, sculpted appearance. And if you’re feeling extra cute (you know I am), take the smallest amount over the bridge of your nose. It adds a super youthful, playful energy to the look. Anya-level cuteness for sure 💖
THAT ICONIC CAT EYE 🐱🔪
Ok, this is the moment. When we think of Anya Taylor-Joy’s signature look, we think bold winged liner. Plus, it’s got that nod to ’60s vintage glam, which is basically her whole brand. So basically… we’re going full-on Cleopatra baddie mode.
Use a liquid liner for maximum sharpness. I swear by the KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner because it’s super Black and stays forever. For beginners, a pen-style liner gives more control, so if you’re new to this — I gotchu.
- Step One: Start at the inner corner of your eye and slowly drag it towards the edge of your lash line.
- Step Two: When you hit the corner of your eye, extend the line upwards like a protractor angle (geometry class, anyone?). The higher the flick, the more drama.
- Step Three: Connect the top of the flick back down to your lash line and fill it in. Boom. Sharp enough to cut through the haters.
Pro Tip: If your wings aren’t matching (don’t worry, this happens to us ALL), use a tiny concealer brush to clean up the edges — instant fix.
BOLD, FLIRTY LASHES 🖤
What’s a winged liner without the lashes to back it up? Anya’s lashes are always flirty and doll-like, giving her that wide-eyed look, so you know we’re gonna layer up on mascara.
Grab your favorite lengthening mascara. If you haven’t tried the Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara, you’re missing out. It makes your lashes look like falsies without all the glue drama. Wiggle it at the root and pull up for seriously lifted lashes.
But if you wanna really go all-in, pull out those false lashes. Something like Ardell Wispies would totally match Anya’s vibe. The key is finding lashes that flare out at the ends to accentuate that cat-eye eyeliner we just did. Slayyyy.
PERFECT THE POUT 💋
Let’s not forget about the lips! Anya Taylor-Joy knows how to rock a lip moment — whether it’s a simple nude or a classic red, she’s always on point. But for our vintage-inspired look, we’re thinking classic old Hollywood. So yesss, you know what that means… RED!
You need something rich, velvety, and long-lasting. Let me introduce you to your new obsession: the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red. Ugh, this lipstick is to die for. It’s a classic red but with just a bit of a modern matte finish that doesn’t dry out your lips.
Red lipstick is an instant confidence booster — and it goes with literally everything. Don’t fight me on this.
If the red feels too bold, you can do a more toned-down nude version — something like MAC’s Velvet Teddy. That’ll give you that barely-there, Anya-style pout with just a slight tint.
To make sure your lips stay tidy, apply a matching lip liner first — outline those lips and slightly overdraw for extra fullness. Overlining can give you a more doll-like effect (which TBH is very Anya!) without going too overboard.
HIGHLIGHT, BUT MAKE IT SOFT 👼
To finish off this look, we need a touch of highlight because our girl Anya glows, but she never looks greasy. Less is more here, babes, so let’s keep it soft.
Go for a powder highlighter like Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop. Lightly dust it on the high points of your face: cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and the cupid’s bow. This adds the softest glow without competing with everything else. A little goes a long way!
FINAL TOUCHES? SET IT AND FORGET IT 🫧
You’re looking cute, your makeup is snatched, but we’re not done yet. We need to lock everything in, or else all that work is gonna slide right off. Grab a setting spray — I’m a ride-or-die for Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. A few sprays of this, and your makeup isn’t going anywhere.
And THERE you have it! That’s how you channel all the vintage glam vibes and get Anya Taylor-Joy’s aesthetic. Whether you’re rocking this for a special occasion or just feeling yourself at brunch, this vintage look is gonna have people legit asking if you’re a starlet from another era.
So go ahead, babes. Throw on your most fabulous outfit and channel your inner Anya! Confidence is key, but when you’ve got makeup that looks this bomb, it’s hard not to feel like a star.
