Pamela Anderson has officially broken her makeup-free streak. Over the last few years, the Baywatch icon has become something of a poster girl for bare-faced beauty, swapping heavy eyeliner, falsies and defined lip liner for a skin-first approach. But for Milan fashion week, she seems to have made an exception.
The 59-year-old actress made a rare return to makeup for the Vogue World show – what better occasion to get glammed up? While her gold gown and layers of glimmering necklaces made a statement, it was her dramatic smokey eye that stole the look.
It's a look that still feels unmistakably Pammy, just circa 1999. Smokey taupe shades were swept across her eyelids, while a wash of champagne shimmer dusted on top made the look pop. But the real standout was the jet-black eyeliner, applied with precision along the waterline.
In a video shared to Instagram, she revealed the inspiration behind the look was ‘Cleopatra, but modernised.’
Compared with her usual pared-back appearance, it's certainly a statement look. But it doesn't feel out of place, and, according to top makeup artist Ruby Hammer, that's all down to balance.
In the '90s, Pammy's signature glam was all about full-coverage foundation, bronzed skin and a defined pout. This time around, she's kept the rest of her makeup understated.
‘When you combine a smudgy smokey eye with heavy contour, intense blush and a strong lip it can look very rigid,’ says Ruby. ‘Here, Pamela has allowed her real complexion to show through, which softens the whole look.’
And, as Pam put it herself, ‘I'm convinced that skin just looks better raw.’
The combination of her natural freckles and the dramatic eye almost feels like a hybrid of her two most iconic beauty eras.
It might not be an everyday look, but as Pamela proves, it's the perfect statement for a special occasion. While Pam kept her skin bare, if you prefer a little more coverage, you can still achieve that fresh finish with a lightweight, luminous base. ‘I love the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation or L'Oréal Hyaluron Tinted Balm - these let your natural skin details show through for a fresh look,’ Ruby tells us.
As for the eyes, Ruby says the key is mastering the eyeliner. ‘For the eyes, you want to work a soft creamy black or deep brown pencil right into the lash line and waterlines. Then, take a small, firm brush and smudge the edges out softly to create a sultry, lived in haze without any harsh lines.'
One thing's for sure: whether she's bare-faced, full glam or somewhere in between, Pammy looks incredible every time.
