Vintage Inspiration: Michelle Pfeiffer in “Grease 2” 

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When you think of Grease, Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy usually comes to mind. But for a certain segment of ’70s-born babies, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Stephanie Zanone in Grease 2 was sooo much cooler. (Yes, the sequel was a flop at the time, but in retrospect it’s cheesetastic musical numbers, like “Reproduction” and “Cool Rider” are ripe for a Harry Styles/Chloe Moretz retread.) Where Sandy was a good girl, an Aussie virgin in prim poodle skirts, at least until her transformation at the end—Stephanie was the tough-as-nails head of the Pink Ladies. A biker babe in skin-tight jeans and a leather bomber. She was badass.

And Stephanie’s beauty game was ferocious. The aqua-eyed, mankiller was the height of early-’60s hotness, with her heavy, sun-streaked bangs, poreless skin, and glossy rose-red lips. Here’s how to get the look.

Bouffant Bangs

Already have blonde streaks? Make them pop, Zanone-style with Redken Blonde Glam Conditioner. And to score Pfeiffer-esque levels of bang volume, spritz damp roots with Pantene Root Lifting Spray Gel. Then, blow-dry while brushing your fringe downwards and to one side with a flat, boar bristle brush.

Flawless Skin

For flawless 1960s skin, disguise dark circles, acne scars, and uneven tones in one step with a lightweight CC Cream (if we were really being authentic to the era, we’d advise you to load on layers of powder, but yikes, your poor pores). Try Origins Smarty Plants CC Cream SPF 20, which color-corrects imperfections and provides antioxidant protection.

Rose Red Lips

Not quite crimson, but definitely not pink, this vampy hue was a key element of Pfeiffer’s dangerous-girl swag in Grease 2. We love NYX Matte Lipstick in Street Cred and Kevyn Aucoin The Matte Lipstick in Everlasting, both sultry muted red shades that are stunning on all skin tones. For a more lipstain-y effect, blot the color a bit, and layer a lip balm on top.

Tia Williams has been a beauty editor for 15 years, at publications like ElleGlamourLucky, and Essence.com. Back in 2005, Tia created one of the first beauty blogs, Shake Your Beauty, where she wove her love of products through hilarious vignettes from her life as a beauty expert and mom living in Brooklyn. She’s also written several books, including the best-selling novel The Accidental Diva and supermodel Iman’s The Beauty of Color. Follow Tia on Twitter @shakeyourbeauty.

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