The Iconic Lip: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Over the holidays, le Monsieur and I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s, as he’d never seen it. There are a lot of problematic elements* (not the least of which the staggering racism in the portrayal of the Mr. Yunioshi character) but visually it’s a treat, especially the costuming.
(Holly’s) Audrey’s Iconic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Lip Color
Of course, when the words “iconic” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” are used together, we tend to think of Audrey Hepburn’s black dress (by Hubert de Givenchy), big sunglasses and ropes of pearls as she gazes into the windows at Tiffany’s while nibbling a sweet roll. But I also think of that moment in the cab, where she says “a girl can’t read that sort of thing without her lipstick.” And then she perfectly applies the loveliest peachy pink shade from a gold tube.
There’s been much speculation over the years about what brand and color that lipstick was. Many have claimed it’s Revlon “Pink in the Afternoon,” although that lipstick color wasn’t introduced until 1983, and is more pink than the color in the film.
My friend Brian is a professional makeup artist and has done makeup for celebrities on the red carpet, as well as commercial shoots. He says that the color she applies was probably formulated especially for the movie and the specific lighting. It would have to be extra-pigmented to show up well on camera. (So much so, that it would probably look a little freakish in natural light.)
But it’s a pretty color, and if you’re looking for a natural “barely there” color that’s a little more vibrant than a nude, here are a few shades to consider:
For Warm Skin Tones
- Revlon “Pink in the Afternoon.” As mentioned, it’s a little more pink/coral than Holly’s shade.
- Brian + MW Sheer Moisture Lipstick in Passego Puro. I’ve been wearing this one a lot lately. It’s pretty, but subtle.
- Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick in “Molly.” Jane Iredale cosmetics are vegan, and a “clean beauty” brand.
- Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in “Bitch Perfect.” Another cruelty-free brand, and a nice satin formula that stays on.
- Burberry Beauty Kisses Lipstick in “Golden Peach.” I have not tried this one myself, but a friend raves about the formula.
Try These For Cool Skin Tones
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Blushed.”
- Brian + MW Sheer Moisture Lipstick in “Emaveepee” (looks darker in the tube than on lips)
- Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick in “Tania.”
- Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in “Blushing Dream.”
- Chantecaille Lip Chic in “Bourbon Rose.”
When wearing a lighter color like this, I find a lip pencil helps to give the color more presence. For warm tones, try Charlotte Tilbury in “Pink Venus,” and “Pillowtalk” to pair with cooler shades.
Have you ever been inspired to try a character’s “look” from a movie?
*Truman Capote, who wrote the novella the movie was adapted from, reportedly hated the casting of Audrey Hepburn as Holly. He’d wanted Marilyn Monroe for the part.
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
I was totally obsessed with the lip colour Renee Russo wore in the Thomas Crown Affair. It looked amazing with her hair colour. I have never found out what it was !
Agree!
I also loved the lip color Renee Russo wore in that movie, she was gorgeous.
Ashley Judd, whose colouring is similar to mine, wore a great lip gloss in the movie about murdering her no good husband, “Double Indemnity” ?, so good that a movie reviewer even mentioned it! Then of course there ‘s “Wait until Dark” which some reviewers panned, saying a blind woman could never wear such great makeup! Maybe there should be makeup info in movie credits!
I love Fabby by Mac with a pinkish/nude/brown lip liner (love Loreal!). Add a bit of gloss and you’re good to go! Thank you for these suggestions – always love trying something new.
Have never been lipstick inspired by a movie! However, for cool tones barely there I highly recommend the Bare Minerals Nudes. For me, even the colors you’ve listed above for cool tones might be too warm. I have go way towards rose/mauve. This is probably the time I should confess to all the “Redwood” shades I’ve bought and thrown away;).
Thanks. Rose and mauve are my colors, so I’ll give those a go. Always hard to find the coolest cool that doesn’t look freakishly purple. And since movie stars aren’t generally this pale, I don’t even think of imitating their choices.
Well, I’ve certainly been inspired by Audrey Hepburn, although I can’t hope to pull off her elegance! I have similar coloring – a little darker – but my lips are quite pale so I need more color to make them visible. Colors described as honey plum, bronze, etc. work for me. My fave right now is Estée Lauder’s Intense Nude.
Am I the only one who finds the current fashion-speak fad for making plural nouns singular to be ridiculous? “Pant,” “lip,” etc. make my teeth itch!
Susan, thanks for your inspiration as always. I love this blog.
My all time favorite movie. So much so that I made a point of getting up at dawn in NYC and having my very own breakfast at Tiffany’s! The stereotype of Mr. Yunioshi should be viewed in its historical context and even at the time, Mickey Rooney played the part for cartoonish exaggerated laughs. Clearly Capote was way off! Since we are talking movies here…my other all timer is Same Time Next Year filmed at a Northern California hotel, The Little River Inn.
Hi, Jan,
Capote’s famous novella was wildly different from the movie. Had Hollywood wanted to make a starkly realistic version, Marilyn Monroe would have been the perfect choice. And George Peppard’s character would have been gay, as he was in the book! That wouldn’t have flown in those days. I love both versions, but Hepburn’s is sweeter. 😉
I love Audrey Hepburn! Her sophistication and style are to be applauded. But not only her style and acting career are to be applauded but her charitable work is. She did so much to help hungry children later in life. Also, thanks for separating the lipsticks into warm and cool tones. As a soft autumn my skin tone is neutral so it becomes even more confusing for me!
All great picks! Check out “Go Lightly” by Lisa Eldridge – it is a gorgeous color for most and a wonderful formulation. I gave it as Christmas gifts to several people spanning 40-year age range and 3 skin tones.
Hi Susan!
I will have to make note, as I do like the color and love peaches and pinks with my skin and hair color.
i Have tried some Jane Iredell as I was sent to try beauty products of Soft Surrounding and liked some of the lipsticks- Molly is quite pretty! Perfect shades for Spring!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Love Alima Pure peachy-pink lipstick in Lucy. Wear Suntegrity 5-In-1 facial sunscreen in Fair, which has a light imperfection-blurring tint. Both Alima Pure and Suntegrity are clean, green, cruelty-free lines. Alima Pure has some refillables (highlighter, blush, eyeshadow, pressed foundation) that go into lovely black metal cases. The Lucy lipstick case is gorgeous. I’m lobbying for it to be refillable. I think that may be in the works. I hope so.
I’ve never been inspired by lipstick (or makeup) in a movie, but clothing and accessories, yes. That would make a fun post.
Madame, I enjoyed your article on Audrey Hepburn’s lipstick in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” But I have to protest the statement that Revlon’s shade “Pink in the Afternoon” wasn’t introduced until the 1980s. My mother wore this shade when it first came out, and bought it over and over. I was 9 years old in 1960, and pale lips were just making their great break into the fashion scene. I was proud of my mom, who was older by 20 years than other moms. She tossed her red lipsticks and went to “Pink in the Afternoon.” It was fresh, modern, and chic. Jacqueline Kennedy became famous for her pale lipsticks. Thus, I grew up with this color and its romantic name. I recall Mom applying this shade just before Dad got home every evening at 5:30. I asked why she “bothered.” It was just dad! She said, “I still want to look nice for Daddy when he gets home.” My memory of the lipstick and that day has remained sharp and clear. That Revlon shade WAS extant in the early 1960s. It may have been dropped at some point, but it certainly came back again.
Thank you.
Hi, Jan,
Capote’s famous novella was wildly different from the movie. Had Hollywood wanted to make a starkly realistic version, Marilyn Monroe would have been the perfect choice. And George Peppard’s character would have been gay, as he was in the book! That wouldn’t have flown in those days. I love both versions, but Hepburn’s is sweeter. 😉