6 hair and makeup moments that made carolyn bessette-kennedy the original cool girl
Plus, they're super simple to copy.
If you’re anything like me and are currently obsessing over Love Story, chances are you’ve found yourself wanting to channel Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in every way possible. She is, after all, the blueprint for the original cool girl. Everything about her felt completely effortless—her silhouettes were simple, the makeup understated, and her hair perfectly undone in that almost-Parisian way. And yet, the simplest blazer or slip dress looked impossibly chic on her.
And with every episode serving us nostalgic doses of ’90s minimalism, I started paying closer attention to the beauty details that defined her look. Because while sharp tailoring and luxe accessories tend to get most of the credit, Carolyn's beauty choices were just as iconic. From tortoiseshell headbands to the occasional berry lip, every element felt intentional and elegant. She epitomized quiet luxury long before it became a trend-cycle.
So instead of screenshotting every scene, I rounded up her most timeless beauty signatures. Ahead, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s best beauty looks to copy ASAP.
The Tortoise Headband
A glossy tortoiseshell headband was her signature off-duty hair accessory, often slipped over a sleek low bun or a perfectly nape-grazing ponytail. It always added just enough to elevate an otherwise minimalist hairstyle.
Her Iconic Blonde
Carolyn leaned into bright blonde hair with glossy highlights thatc creative a chic and expensive-looking hair color. It even sparked controversy ahead of Love Story’s release, when early buzz questioned whether Sarah Pidgeon's shade captured the exact tone of CBK’s blonde—proof that her specific hue has become a beauty reference point in its own right.
Minimalist Makeup
Her everyday look relied on simple details that highlighted her natural features: thin ’90s brows, a glossy lip, and skin that looked untouched by foundation. Carolyn made minimalism feel deliberate and completely timeless.
An Effortless Blowout
Her soft blowout barely revealed a part, as if she’d casually flipped it to one side and it simply stayed there. It felt perfectly lived-in and like she woke up and just happened to be the chicest person in any room.5
A Berry Lip
And of course we can't forget the berry lip. She rarely strayed far from minimal makeup, but when she did lean into color, it was almost always a berry—it gave her look that subtle and romantic edge.6
A Sleek Bun
While CBK wasn't one for overly formal evening wear, she did often elevate her look by styling her hair in a sleek Ballerina bun. You know the "clean girl aesthetic" bun worn by Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner? Carolyn did it first.
Credit: Cosmopolitan