These Are The Makeup Products That Elvira Uses
Elvira is a Hollywood legend, delightfully-gothic since her start in the '70s. Born Cassandra Peterson, the "Mistress of the Dark" explained to Refinery29 that she was a "farm girl" in her Kansas youth, but soon moved on to glamorous pastures. While she eventually settled into her iconic character Elvira as hostess of "Elvira's Movie Macabre," a television show that featured horror films, she faced adversity to get there. The actress-host released a memoir titled "Yours Cruelly, Elvira" that retells her childhood, marked by a boiling water accident that left her with burn marks on one-third of her body. She wrote, "people made fun of me, kids called me a monster," but once her scars faded as a teen, she turned to makeup and "the shortest miniskirts" she could find. Soon enough, she had a dream: become a Vegas showgirl.
While Peterson's showgirl dreams actually came true, a chance meeting with Elvis Presley made her change her goals after he suggested she move on from Vegas. She delved into singing and a musical-comedy show until she finally got the "Movie Macabre" role – giving life to the character Elvira she designed with her best friend Robert Redding. While the show's producers made her wear all black for a Morticia Addams-style look, her and Redding got to experiment with makeup, blending gothic sensibilities with tips from a Japanese Kabuki book. Just like that, Elvira's iconic makeup look was born — and now we have all the inside info on how to get it ourselves.
Foundation, blush, and contour
Now for the makeup! TikTok makeup expert @britneykale dug deep into internet archives to unearth exactly how Elvira works her makeup magic, and her video did not disappoint. We half-expected Elvira to wear face paint usually left for theater productions or Halloween, which is sort of true: she told Refinery29 that she strictly used theatrical makeup for years. However, nowadays, the Hollywood host, actress, and model surprisingly wears quite traditional makeup brands — even the "Mistress of the Dark" is just like us (we can dream!).
When it comes to her foundation, Elvira has very specific favorites. As per @britneykale, the "Elvira's Haunted Hills" star loves Makeup Forever's Ultra HD Foundation ($43), and brushes on some white setting powder on top for her signature pale, vampire-esque look. When it comes to finding the right shade, the 70-year-old told Elle that she always goes for pink undertones. She described how a makeup artist from "The Wizard of Oz" once told her, "you must not go super white because it will make your teeth look yellow." Saying white makeup always makes "teeth look horrible," it's definitely an interesting trick to keep in mind!
For blush, @britneykale says Elvira is all about Cinema Secrets Ultimate Blush in Berry ($14), while the actress told Elle she contours her cheekbones with La Femme Powder Blush ($5.90) in a darker shade. She told the outlet, "they seem to do the trick." As simple as pie (made from a witch or ghost, of course).
How to recreate her signature cat-eye
If recreating an Elvira-style makeup look, it needs a major cat eye. Elvira knows a thing or two about dramatic eyes, telling Refinery29 that as a Vegas showgirl, she would wear three pairs of fake eyelashes on the upper lash-line, and two sets on the bottom. A proper Elvira eye look involves lots of black eyeliner and colorful eyeshadow — here's everything you need to know.
TikToker @britneykale says that Peterson is a big fan of Ben Nye Cake Liner in black ($12), layered with MAC Chromaline Eyeliner ($22) in black, too. The Hollywood siren told Elle that when it comes to eyeliner, she's bought "every damn one that anybody makes in the whole universe." However, applying the Ben Nye liner with a "tiny wet brush" plus "layers and layers" of MAC's liner on top is her secret formula. As per Refinery29, she also adores KVD's Beauty Tattoo Eyeliner ($22), explaining, "that is such a lifesaver ... I switched and got the pen and that stuff did not move, man. It was on for the whole day. 12 hours." When it comes to applying the liner, Elvira draws lashes on the upper lash line to make eyes look wide-open and Bambi-like, and uses a purple liner on the crease.
For eyeshadow, @britneykale shared in another video that Elvira's makeup artist told her the star loves Ben Nye Lumiere Eyeshadow in Cosmic Blue ($12) and Ben Nye Powder Blush in Fuchsia ($12), also used as eyeshadow.
This is how to get Elvira's red lip look
So it can't be an Elvira-style makeup look without a red lip, right? It's hard to imagine the gothic star without her signature cherry pout, which contrasts against her pale complexion and smokey cat-eye. In fact, as per Refinery29, her "blood-red lips" connect to her and pal Redding's inspiration in Japanese Kabuki makeup, which can include a white base, contrasted with colorful eyeshadow and yes, bright lipstick. So what does the star use to achieve her flawless scarlet lip game? Here's everything you need to know!
TikTok makeup expert @britneykale explained that Elvira's makeup artist gave her all the inside information on the icon's favorite crimson lipsticks. So what are they? Apparently, even Elvira is hooked on a MAC classic lipstick that is said to be universally-flattering and downright-perfect in every way: none other than the brand's Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($19). If Peterson feels like going for a liquid lipstick instead, it's all about Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Redrum ($18). So how about liner? Elvira is a huge fan of MAC's Lip Pencil ($19) in the shade Currant, but it has since been discontinued. Not to fret, @britneykale recommends trying the very similar Burgundy shade instead.
Peterson explained to Refinery29 that she also can't get enough of Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Wifey ($18), pairing it with Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Enchant in just "the middle of her bottom lip."
Sometimes, even Elvira wears natural makeup (really!)
There's a whole other side to Elvira that few know about: for one, Cassandra Peterson is actually a redhead. While we still try to process that, she's also low-key in real life when she's not in the game of vampires and ghouls. She told Refinery29 that she is grateful her dramatic Elvira look is so different from her daily style: "I have this thing that almost no celebrity has in the world, and that is total anonymity." She continued, "I had a completely double life, which was fantastic for raising my child." So what makeup products does Peterson love to use in her free time?
The legend talked to Refinery29 about her "everyday makeup," which starts off with Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream ($34), a tinted moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30. Next up, she applies Lancome Maquicomplet Wand Concealer ($64.50) around her under eye area, which is full coverage and extremely hydrating. For her eyes, just a touch of Blinc Original Tubing Mascara ($26) will do, which wraps little "tubes" around each lash for maximum lengthening. Another plus? Peterson adores the fact she doesn't need special makeup remover to take it off at night — it comes off with her face wash. The star finishes up her natural beauty regime with a swipe of Johnny Concert Maudit Timeless Liquid Lipstick in Le Beige ($25), and voila: Elvira's "I just woke up like this" look is alive (or born).