8 of Lana Del Rey’s most iconic beauty moments
Written by ABR on 27/03/2023
When Lana Del Rey released her nostalgic, self-directed “Video Games” in 2011, a star was born. People were immediately drawn to the native New Yorker for her potent lyrics and beauty; her pouty lips and voluminous hair reminiscent of old Hollywood stars like Sophia Loren, Priscilla Presley and Raquel Welch. Lana’s aesthetic – classic glamour with a hint of rebel sweetheart next door – felt accessible; blurring the lines between vintage Americana and coming of age in the peak Tumblr era.
Over the years, Lana’s dark visions of romanticism have soundtracked our sorrows and inspired the sad girl within us all to experiment with big hair and heavy eye makeup. From her days as bleach blonde Lizzy Grant to her current ruby-hued brunette locks, there isn’t a look she can’t pull off – even briefly rocking a fringe – and we are here for all of it. To celebrate the release of her new album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, we’re paying homage to some of her most iconic beauty moments. Who knows, maybe they’ll inspire your next makeup look while you sit around feeling melancholy?
The original pouffe
Reflecting on Lana’s best beauty moments without mentioning the music video that started it all would be criminal. Veiled in sepia, the mysterious seductive character introduced in this self-shot webcam footage made waves across the world. Seen in a yellow off-the-shoulder top with kohlled lower lids and a half-up-half-down pouffe hairstyle, Lana looks like she just stepped out of a film noir. They say that the bigger the hair, the closer to god, and this aesthetic was pure heaven.
Born to Die’s flower crown
It’s fair to say that we can probably blame Lana for the resounding popularity of the flower crown. In her 2011 video for “Born To Die” we find her sitting atop a throne flanked by tigers, her neat waved hair perfectly framing her face as she balances a crown of blue roses atop her head. Blood red accents across her full lips and nail tips complete the look. If you saw Lana perform at the time, she was likely wearing a variation on the look.
A tribute to Jackie O
Do any of Lana Del Rey’s music videos have happy endings? Certainly not this one, but she manages to looks fabulous even when splattered in the blood of A$AP Rocky’s JFK. The almost 8-minute music video for 2012’s “National Anthem” shares Lana’s take on the Kennedy family story; its costume changes and beauty moments worthy of a big budget movie. Her ode to Jackie O involves bouffants, blue ribbon Alice bands and veiled pillbox hats; her makeup alternating between pastel eyeshadow and slick black liner.
Diamond grills at the 2012 Grammys
With rosy cheeks and lipstick echoing her strawberry blonde curls, Lana arrived at the 54th Grammy Awards in LA looking like a 50s southern prom queen… and then she opened her mouth. In 2012, pop stars didn’t wear tooth gems let alone diamond grills, but this one looks perfectly at home in LDR’s mouth.
That double-winged eyeliner
Everything about this Berlin award ceremony look from 2013 screams drama – from her arched brows to her drawn-on beauty mark and dark lip liner. Not to mention the double-winged eyeliner and those oversized bedazzled alligator hair clips; a nod to her animal co-star in “Blue Jeans” or simply the perfect extra accessory? Either way, Lana looks like she belongs on Elvis’s wedding cake.
A shorter, darker hair era
The 2018 British Fashion Awards showed us a different, more grown-up Lana Del Rey, one we’d never really seen before. Arriving at London’s Royal Albert Hall with a new, long bob look – possibly the shortest her hair had ever been – Lana’s makeup was barely there and her nails just a light pink sparkle. Lana really showcased her natural beauty here and her glowing smile speaks for itself.
Pre-Raphaelite goth
For 2018’s Heavenly Bodies-themed Met Gala, Lana opted for a bespoke Gucci look topped with a bluebird wing halo. Her near-black waved hair reached Morticia lengths and the pale, minimal makeup gave gothic angel. She definitely understood the assignment.
A beehive at the Billboards
Attending the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards (not to be mistaken for the Men in Music Business Conference) this month, Lana welcomed spring in a lemon-coloured, 70s-inspired paisley lace dress. With a youthful glow, she revisited her modern take on a beehive piled high above her two-tone waterfall waves. Her black winged eyeliner, extreme feathery lashes and bronze lipstick completed the look — yet another example of why Lana is such a beloved symbol of past and present popular culture.
Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean BLVD is out now.
ABR Group