Makeup in Sofia Coppola's movies

That we have a soft spot for Sofia Coppola is no secret. She has managed to create her own aesthetic within her cinematic works, so much so that it only takes a few minutes of a film to realize it was directed by her. In her films, such as Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides, the protagonists are young girls, often immersed in an inner world full of emotions and loneliness. These women, whom we could define as "sad girls," are not just downcast or melancholic, but live with a sense of disconnection, as if they are always one step behind the life unfolding around them. They are fragile figures who, despite living in worlds full of opportunities, feel lost and misunderstood. Perhaps it is precisely because of their vulnerability that Sofia Coppola is so beloved by the female audience: every woman, at least once, finds herself in one of these characters.

Makeup in Sofia Coppola's films: Lost in Translation

The protagonist of the film Lost in Translation is Charlotte, played by Scarlett Johansson. Her face is deliberately under-made-up, in order to best represent the phase of her life in which she is searching for meaning and for herself. The makeup is delicate and fresh, with soft and neutral tones that highlight her skin. Charlotte’s eyes are often lightly made up, with eyeshadows in natural shades that never take attention away from her introspective and thoughtful gaze; the only pop of color is her lips, often painted in a very light pink.

The Virgin Suicides

In the film The Virgin Suicides, the choice of makeup plays an important role in defining the themes and characters, contributing to the creation of the delicate, unsettling, and at the same time melancholic atmosphere that fills the film. The makeup, in fact, is never excessive, but rather serves to highlight the ethereal beauty of the sisters. The cheeks are slightly flushed, the eyes are often accentuated with subtle makeup and the lips appear soft, with tones that reflect the freshness of their youth. This makeup helps to reinforce the image of the angelic and inaccessible Lisbon sisters, who are almost seen as suspended in a reality that seems distant.

Marie Antoinette

The makeup in the film Marie Antoinette is strongly inspired by the fashion of the rococo era, which featured the use of extremely elaborate makeup. Marie Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst, is often depicted with heavy makeup typical of the 18th-century courts: pale white skin, rosy cheeks, and red lips. The white foundation – once lead-based – was used to achieve an ethereal, aristocratic look, while the blush, applied noticeably, emphasized the youth and freshness of the face. Marie Antoinette's eyes are often enhanced with subtle yet elegant makeup: light eyeshadow, long lashes, and a defined eyeliner line. The lips are almost always painted bright red, symbolizing passion, seduction, but also a kind of superficiality, reflecting her court life marked by frivolities and appearances.

Bling Ring

In the film The Bling Ring, the look of the protagonists seeks to evoke the glossy and artificial image of celebrities, becoming a form of imitation of the life they wish to have. The makeup in the film thus becomes a visual tool that underscores the desire to reflect a life of luxury and beauty, but at the same time highlights the superficiality and artificiality of this ideal. Lip gloss, black eyeliner, and defined contouring are the key elements in recreating the protagonists' glamorous look, ready to take a selfie and post it on social media.

Priscilla

In the film Priscilla, makeup is not just part of the aesthetic, but serves an important narrative function, reflecting Priscilla's growth as a woman and as a person trapped in a world of external expectations. From a natural, teenage makeup to a more sophisticated and artificial one, her appearance reflects the emotional and psychological challenges she faces during her relationship with Elvis. Her most iconic look remains the winged look.