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Top 8 Hair and Makeup Favorites Inspired by Brigitte Bardot
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Brigitte Bardot passed away on December 28, 2025 at the age of 91. Tributes have already poured in for French actress, model, singer and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot, from President Emmanuel Macron, Sofia Vergara, Lindsay Lohan and other major A-list celebrities. Bardot is not only recognized worldwide as a symbol of female sexual liberation for her voluptuous roles in films such as And God Created Women (which first brought her to the spotlight) and Contempt, but also for formalizing French beauty ideals with her tousled hair, feathered eyeliner, and slightly flushed skin.
“Brigitte Bardot: My Life in Fashion”
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $17.98
Although Bardot became a controversial figure in later years for her anti-immigrant stance and public exclusion of feminist ideology, her contributions to society are irrefutable, including founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to fight animal abuse and virtually defining French style in the 50s and 60s. At WWD Shop, our editors have long been obsessed with the most important French beauty looks of this actress. From dark eyeshadow (to deliberately smudge it, like “I just rolled out of bed”) and voluminous mascara (to apply thickly, especially on the lower lashes) to nude, never-overwhelming lipstick, we analyze them to find a close match to the products she might have been using at the time.
Bardot also popularized her sartorial sensibilities of bikinis, strapless dress styles, low necklines, sailor-striped shirts, capri pants, and ballet tights worn for non-dancing occasions. These choices influenced her overall “effortless” look, which was, in fact, a tight edit of highly selected wardrobe staples, and inspired the coining of the term. “Sex Kitten” Referring specifically to Bardot, the word is now commonly applied to women who lack inhibitions and prioritize their sexuality in all aspects of their lives.
Would you like to emulate only Bardot’s best qualities, enriching your makeup and haircare collection with modern beauty bestsellers that the French icon, Bardot, is most likely to approve of?Here are eight to get you to your destination, straight from France and beyond.
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Brigitte Bardot, circa October 24, 1963.
Credit: Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Rene furterer texture spray
Bardot was known for her amazing blonde hair, which was loose and bedroom-like, which was partially rooted in the beehive style that was popular at the time. What her hair always had was volume. You can do just that with this texture spray from luxury French hair brand René Furterer. It goes on imperceptibly and celebrates hairstyles with much-needed hold, shine, and Bardot’s signature tousled texture.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $21
Brigitte Bardot in Rome, Italy for the filming of “Contempt”, circa 1962.
Courtesy: Fox Photography/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Violette_FR Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick
Another makeup element that Bardot seems to be rocking forever was a nude lip in a shade that’s a cross between peach, beige, and pink. She almost always avoided bold reds, instead settling for ones that more emphasized her other features (mainly her eyes). Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick in the shade Callison in Violette_FR will be your secret weapon to picture-perfect nude lips in 2026. It’s moisturizing and features a subtle blur to master the lip look the French call “bouche mordu” or “bitten mouth.” For even more color, apply two to three coats of the antioxidant formula.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $29
Brigitte Bardot, circa September 12, 1966.
Courtesy: Cattani/Fox Photography/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Chantecaille Le Stilo Ultra Slim Liquid Eyeliner
What every “sex kitten” needs is a dark-lined cat’s eye, and Bardot was also used to it. This liquid eyeliner is also from a French beauty brand, and if applied correctly, it will give your eyes a kohl-rimmed look. We recommend tracing Le Stylo Ultra Slim along the instep. and Draw a line for your lower lashes and continue adding layers until you reach the desired density. Before proceeding to the mascara step of makeup, be sure to draw a feather at the tip of the eye.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $38
Clé de Peau Perfect Lash Mascara
In most of her modeling shots, Bardot is seen sporting tightly exaggerated eyelashes. You can imagine her twisting the mascara wand vertically to highlight her lower lashes in particular. Clé de Peau’s Perfect Lash Mascara makes this easy and to great effect. The brand combines Japanese and French beauty philosophies, and its color cosmetics have become a real sensation in the fashion world. This waterproof and stain-resistant product promises a 360-degree coating for your lashes. Guaranteed length, definition and volume all day long, no need to reapply.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $57
Brigitte Bardot, circa 1955.
Courtesy: Baron/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Benefits Flash Balm Cream Blush
Eschewing today’s obsession with “dewy skin” or “glass skin,” Bardot instead settled for matte skin and added subtle color to the apples of her cheeks with a peachy powder. This resulted in the most attractive and natural flash possible. You can recreate it in the comfort of your own home by adding Merit Beauty’s Balm Cream Blush to your repertoire. A creamy, buildable, lip-friendly blush balm with vitamin E that delivers what Sephora calls “sheer color.” For days when less is more.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $30
Fleck Beauty Fleck OG Original Freckles
Adding to her coquettish charm, Bardot has natural freckles that were often hidden with makeup during acting, but allow you to surrender to the actress’s charm. nature Create a beauty look by liberally dotting this Freck OG The Original Freckle all over your cheeks and nose. Freck Beauty’s patented innovation actually penetrates the skin instead of being superficial. This mini size allows you to try it out before purchasing the 0.11 oz version.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $22
Chanel Les 4 Ombre Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow
While you can make your eyeliner look sharp, almost as if it’s been stenciled, completing your Bardot eye makeup routine means opting for something softer and more dewy when it comes to eyeshadow. Chanel’s multi-effect Quadra eyeshadow is exactly what is needed here. It’s pigment-rich, long-lasting, and boasts a smooth finish that blends easily with a makeup brush. It’s hard to argue with the fact that Bardot’s smokey eyes were covetable. size For them, this was made possible in the 21st century by Chanel’s inclusion of two neutral colors. Dark cocoa emphasizes the contour, and light brown provides a highlighting effect (perhaps on the inner corner of the eyelid).
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $72
Brigitte Bardot on the set of “Contempt”.
Provided by: Marceau-Cocinor/Les Films Concordia/Georges de Beauregard/Carlo Ponti/Collection Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Image
Free People Super Wide Soft Headband
This is not a hair product per se, but an essential accessory for your Bardot style. For example, she was seen out and about flaunting a wide headband in “Vie Privée,” which did double duty as protecting her face from her long mane while also adding a pop of contrast to that blonde all over. Later, Hollywood’s elite, including Madonna, Barbra Streisand, and Bella Hadid, also began incorporating elastic headbands into their stars’ off-duty ensembles. This headband from Free People costs less than $20 and is sure to usher in “Parisian chic” in the new year.
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $14
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