There are those who are into retro as a matter of interest, and those who go totally into the retro world as a matter of passion. For the ones who start off as casual admirers of Betty Page, interest often does turn to passion, as this enigmatic pin-up girl tends to attract a lot of fans from all over the map. Her popularity was never very stunningly high during her own time, but it has consistently risen with every new generation who discovers the shiny appeal of hot rod and pin-up culture.
There are some who dedicate their time to saving for new cooper tires, and there are those who look to Betty Page for beauty tips, and both are securely in the grip of a passionate obsession with a time that has already past.
Whether or not the already past is from an actual past, or an imagined place of nostalgia, it may not matter so much, because the look is so appealing today. Adopting the perfect look, whether it’s for one’s face, or for one’s car, both have a shine that speaks to a certain kind of studied street smarts coupled with a bursting optimism, that serve as a wonderful balm for a confusing world of multiple expectations. For many retro fans, just watching others enter into the culture fully is sufficiently satisfying. Watching hot rod videos, or guides to Betty Page make up are enough to make the days seem worth it. For others, however, entering into the world is necessary.
There are a number of resources for learning how to get the Betty Page look, just as there are excellent sites, like hotrodhanks.com, for taking care of the ride.
They all have their own quirks and methods, but for Betty Page, there are some general rules. Black hair is a must, and bangs are the center of her look. For the lighter haired fans, there really is no way around dyeing the hair. She also has perfect skin, with a natural golden glow, and although there is nothing like the real thing, there are plenty of makeup techniques to help things along. Think heavy on foundation, and add some bronze highlights, and it’s definitely going in the right direction. Natural warm tones will help lift the eyes and make them look a little larger, and more open, and a generous application of old school black mascara will make them really pop. Her eyebrows were not afraid to be eyebrows, so some dark brown pencil to fill these out will add the perfect retro touch. The real eye-catcher, however, is the shock of red on the lips. Then and now, this is one of the laws of nature. Red is a color that attracts, and the gorgeous part is that it is also entirely retro, and entirely Betty.