Channel Your Inner Queen: Makeup Tutorials Inspired by Aretha Franklin!

Introduction

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was an icon whose influence transcended music, politics, and culture. While her powerful voice and legendary music career earned her a permanent place in history, her iconic looks, from bold eyes to glamorous lips, have also left a lasting impact on the beauty world. Aretha’s makeup was always a perfect blend of glamour and sophistication, often mirroring her soulful presence and powerful performances.

Today, makeup artists are taking inspiration from Aretha’s timeless style and bringing it into the modern era. From her signature 1960s cat-eye eyeliner to her bold red lips, these tutorials will help you channel the essence of Aretha Franklin with ease. Whether you’re recreating her classic looks or adding a soulful twist to your everyday makeup routine, the following tutorials will guide you on how to embrace the beauty of Aretha Franklin.

1. The Classic ’60s Cat Eye

Aretha Franklin’s signature cat-eye eyeliner from the 1960s remains an enduring beauty trend. The bold, defined winged liner became synonymous with the era, and Aretha mastered this look with her signature grace. Makeup artists today are reimagining this bold and dramatic style, blending sharp lines with soft shadows to create a look that’s both vintage and modern.

Tutorial:

Start with a neutral eyeshadow base to create a smooth canvas. Apply a soft brown shade into the crease of your eyelid to add depth and dimension.
Next, use a gel or liquid eyeliner to draw a bold winged line. Begin at the inner corner of your eye and gradually extend the liner outward, ending with a sharp wing that goes beyond the outer corner of your eye. The wing should be bold, creating a striking contrast against the neutral eyeshadow.
For a contemporary twist, pair the cat-eye with fluttery false lashes or apply a few coats of volumizing mascara to enhance your lashes.
Complete the look with a nude lip, allowing the eyes to remain the focal point.

Tip: Keep your brows natural but defined, just as Aretha did, to maintain balance with the bold eyes. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas, but avoid overdoing it—natural-looking brows complement the bold cat-eye perfectly.

2. Soulful Smoky Eyes

Aretha Franklin often rocked sultry, smoky eyes that perfectly complemented her powerful stage presence. This timeless look emphasized deep, soulful eyes with a smoky edge, creating an aura of mystery and elegance. Today’s makeup artists are channeling that soulful energy by crafting modern smoky eye looks that are both dramatic and wearable.

Tutorial:

Begin by applying a dark brown or black eyeshadow to the outer corners of your eyes. Blend the color into a lighter shade toward the center of your eyelids, ensuring a smooth transition between the two shades.
Smoke out the lower lash line with a pencil eyeliner, using a smudge brush to soften the look. This creates a sultry, smoky effect that enhances the depth of your eyes.
Top off the look with several coats of volumizing mascara to add intensity to your lashes. If you prefer a more dramatic effect, opt for false lashes to complete the look.
Pair the smoky eyes with a glossy nude lip or a soft berry shade, allowing the eyes to remain the star of the show.

Tip: Keep your skin dewy and glowing, which was a hallmark of Aretha’s natural radiance. Use a hydrating primer and a luminous foundation to achieve a fresh, youthful complexion that complements the smoky eyes.

3. Glamorous Red Lips

Red lipstick was a staple in Aretha Franklin’s beauty routine. Her vibrant, confident red lips often took center stage, exuding power, elegance, and charisma. Recreating Aretha’s bold red lip with a modern twist can instantly elevate your look, whether you’re attending a special event or simply want to add a touch of glamour to your day.

Tutorial:

Start by choosing a rich, matte red lipstick that complements your skin tone. Whether you prefer a deep, blue-toned red or a bright, fiery shade, the key is to find a color that enhances your natural beauty.
For a precise application, line your lips with a matching lip liner. This step not only defines your lips but also prevents the lipstick from feathering or bleeding throughout the day.
Fill in your lips with the red lipstick, applying it evenly across your lips. For added dimension, apply a touch of gloss to the center of your lips, giving them a fuller, more voluminous appearance.
Pair your red lips with a simple cat-eye or neutral eyeshadow to let the lips stand out.

Tip: For longer-lasting wear, blot your lips with a tissue after the first layer of lipstick, then reapply. This technique helps set the color and prevents fading, ensuring your bold red lips stay vibrant all day.

4. Radiant Skin with a Soulful Glow

Aretha Franklin was known for her luminous skin, which always appeared fresh and radiant. Her makeup never overshadowed her natural beauty, instead, it enhanced her glowing complexion. Today’s makeup artists are taking inspiration from Aretha’s flawless skin by focusing on creating a glowing, radiant complexion that highlights your natural features.

Tutorial:

Start with a hydrating primer to create a smooth base for your makeup. A primer with light-reflecting particles will add an extra layer of radiance to your skin.
Apply a light to medium coverage foundation that gives a natural finish. Avoid heavy, cakey foundations, as the goal is to let your skin shine through while evening out your complexion.
Use a cream highlighter on the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. Cream products blend seamlessly into the skin, giving you a natural glow without looking too shimmery.
Add a touch of peachy blush to the apples of your cheeks for a pop of color. Peach tones work beautifully with most skin tones and add warmth to the face.
Set everything with a light dusting of translucent powder, focusing on areas that tend to get oily, such as the T-zone.

Tip: Finish off the look with a setting spray to lock in the dewy glow and keep your makeup fresh all day long. A setting spray with a luminous finish will enhance your radiance and ensure your makeup lasts from morning to night.

5. The Elegant Evening Glam

For her stage performances and red carpet appearances, Aretha Franklin often embraced an elegant and glamorous makeup style. Bold eyes paired with soft lips became her signature evening look, exuding sophistication and confidence. Today’s makeup artists are revamping this classic look for modern evening events, blending vintage glam with contemporary techniques.

Tutorial:

Focus on the eyes by using a mix of shimmery gold and deep brown eyeshadows. Start by applying the gold shade to the inner corners of your eyes and blend it into the deep brown shade on the outer corners, creating a gradient effect. This combination of warm tones adds depth and drama to the eyes.
Enhance the look with false lashes or a lengthening mascara to make your eyes pop. The goal is to create a bold, eye-catching effect that’s perfect for evening events.
For the lips, opt for a soft pink or mauve shade to balance the intensity of the eyes. A glossy finish will add a touch of elegance to the look without overpowering the eyes.
Add a bit of highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes and the tops of your cheekbones to mimic Aretha’s subtle glow under stage lights.

Tip: Keep your brows soft and natural to balance the bold eye makeup. A slightly arched brow with a natural finish will frame your face without drawing attention away from your eyes.

Conclusion

Aretha Franklin’s legacy continues to inspire artists across all fields, including makeup. Her timeless beauty looks, from the classic cat-eye to bold red lips, have become iconic and continue to influence modern beauty trends. Whether you’re stepping out for a night on the town or simply want to add a touch of soul to your everyday routine, these Aretha-inspired makeup tutorials will help you capture the essence of a true icon.

By blending the timeless beauty of Aretha Franklin with modern techniques, you can create looks that are both soulful and contemporary. Honor the Queen of Soul with every swipe of eyeliner and stroke of lipstick, and channel your inner Aretha Franklin with confidence and grace. Whether you’re embracing bold eyes, radiant skin, or glamorous lips, these tutorials will guide you on a journey to celebrate the legacy of one of music’s most influential figures.