Oscars 2012: Natalie Portman’s ‘50s-inspired beauty

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Clad in a polka-dot-red vintage Haute Couture Christian Dior gown from 1954, Natalie Portman is channeling a classic Grace Kelly on the Oscars red carpet.

Makeup artist Eileen Kastner-Delago (who works with the actress on her film projects as well as her Dior beauty and perfume campaign) was inspired to give Portman a look reminiscent of Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.

Focusing on the eyes and mouth, Kastner-Delago created a subtle cat eye with Dior waterproof eyeliner. She used a black liner close to the lash line and a purple liner on top to soften the result while still maintaining a strong, sharp look.

Kastner-Delago also used two different mascaras to get the actress’ lashes dramatic but not heavy. First, she swiped a few layers of Dior Show mascara to build volume, then Dior Iconic mascara to separate the lashes. On her bottom lashes, the makeup artist used a couple of coats of purple mascara to define them without creating heaviness.

Portman’s lips were given a light red stain, which Kastner-Delago built with a few shades of red lipstick, also by Dior. “It’s a mix of reds, very 1950s, but not too strong,” says the makeup artist, who massaged the color into Portman’s lips, blotted, then reapplied to really build layers of color that would look more natural and also last throughout the entire evening.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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