11 Top Audrey Hepburn Beauty Secrets You Should Try

audrey hepburn beauty secrets audrey hepburn applying lipstick before academy awards presentation
11 Top Audrey Hepburn Beauty Secrets Bettmann - Getty Images


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There are few style icons as timeless as Audrey Hepburn. The actress and humanitarian always appeared elegant and poised, whether she was enjoying time at home with her family or walking the red carpet at a movie premiere. Her beauty routine wasn't confined to the makeup chair. She also maintained her near-flawless skin with practices that dermatologists still recommend today, like drinking plenty of water and limiting sun exposure. The icon also famously spoke about how kindness to yourself and to others is key to feeling beautiful. We've gathered several of Audrey Hepburn's beauty secrets to help you emulate her classically beautiful look.


Hydration is key.

Hepburn's son Luca Dotti revealed in his book Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother's Kitchen that the actress and humanitarian knew the importance of being hydrated. "She was really about drinking a lot of water and eating a lot of vegetables," he wrote. "It was a matter of how she was brought up."

audrey hepburn beauty secrets portrait of belgian born american actress audrey hepburn 1929 1993 as she wears a strapless gown and holds white kid gloved hands up to her chin, early 1950s photo by hulton archivegetty images
Hulton Archive - Getty Images


Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

In addition to drinking plenty of water, Hepburn also used "a lot of moisturizers and oils, because I have rather a dry skin," according to Vogue UK. She also used a rather unconventional ingredient for hydration: Greek yogurt. She would leave it for 30 minutes before washing it off. The lactic acid in the yogurt exfoliates and hydrates the skin.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets circa 1955 headshot portrait of belgian born actor audrey hepburn 1929 1993 leaning on her hand in a red jacket with a poodle applique photo by hulton archivegetty images
Hulton Archive - Getty Images


Open up your pores with steam facials.

Hepburn maintained her gorgeous complexion with twice-weekly steam facials. If you want to do the same, you can buy a facial steamer or do it the old-fashioned way by pouring boiling water into a heat-safe bowl and leaning over it with a towel over your head to encourage the steam to open up your pores.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets belgian born actress audrey hepburn 1929 1993 in a black sleeveless dress, circa 1955 photo by archive photosgetty images
Archive Photos - Getty Images


Always remove your makeup.

Hepburn was fastidious about removing her makeup. "Working in the theatre, I’ve seen what not removing make-up well can really do to the skin, so I’m very careful about that," she said. She just used soap and water. Today, dermatologists recommend soap-free cleansers to remove your makeup.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets belgian born american actress, audrey hepburn 1929 1993, wearing a white blouse with pink flowers, circa 1963 photo by archive photosgetty images
Hulton Archive - Getty Images


Find a dermatologist you trust.

Hepburn once said, "I owe 50 percent of my beauty to my mother, and the other 50 percent to Erno Laszlo." Laszlo was a dermatologist who also treated Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Ava Gardner. He also founded a skincare line, which you can still shop today.

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RELATED: Makeup Artist Laura Geller Shares Beauty Tips for Women Over 40

audrey hepburn beauty secrets actress audrey hepburn 1929 1993 presents the award for best costume design at the 58th annual academy awards in los angeles, 24th march 1986 photo by maureen donaldsongetty images
Donaldson Collection - Getty Images


Use a hair mask.

Hair care expert Philip Kingsley created a repairing hair mask especially for Hepburn after they met in 1974. It's called Elasticizer and she loved it so much she would regularly have large tubs of it delivered to her house. The best part: You can still buy it today to get hair as soft and shiny as Audrey Hepburn's.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets
Bettmann - Getty Images


Don't skip the sun protection.

Hepburn was diligent when it came to protecting her skin from the sun. While effective SPF products weren't as widely available during her lifetime, she regularly used hats and umbrellas to shield her skin. She also limited her time in the sun.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets
Archive Photos - Getty Images


Make your eyelashes pop.

Hepburn notoriously used a pin to separate each of her lashes after applying mascara to get her trademark look. While we might not recommend having a sharp tool so close to your eye, there are plenty of lash combs that will do the same thing.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets
John Springer Collection - Getty Images


Take care of your mental health.

Hepburn famously said, "I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls." Take a page out of her book and spend time on whatever brings you joy, whether that's spending time with friends, getting outdoors, or cozying up at home. Consider it an investment in your beauty!

audrey hepburn beauty secrets belgian born actress audrey hepburn 1929 1993 riding a motor scooter through rome in a publicity still for roman holiday, directed by william wyler, 1953 photo by paramount picturesarchive photosgetty images
Paramount Pictures - Getty Images


Use white eyeliner on your lower lid.

Another one of Hepburn's makeup secrets was lining the bottom of the eye with a white or nude eyeliner. Doing so opens up the face and makes the eyes really pop.

audrey hepburn beauty secrets
Bettmann - Getty Images


Practice kindness.

Hepburn knew that beauty truly comes from the inside out. And we're not just talking about drinking water. She said, "For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

audrey hepburn beauty secrets
Archive Photos - Getty Images

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