10 Beauty Lessons We Learned From Jackie Kennedy (2024)

Despite her otherwise minimal makeup, Kennedy never shied away from bright lipstick, and often matched her pout to the exact shade of red or pink that she was wearing. Try pairing a classic red dress with Chanel's Rouge Coco Lipstick in 'Gabrielle' to give the trend a try.

SHOP NOWChanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour, $37

Peter Lamas, who was Kennedy's makeup artist after she moved to New York, told Refinery29 that Kennedy often slept on a silk pillowcase or with her hair in an elegant silk scarf to help maintain her blowouts. “She would use a silk scarf to sleep and a silk pillowcase,” Lamas said to the outlet. “If you sleep on cotton, it roughs up your hair.” Since then, silk pillowcases have been celebrated for their anti-aging and anti-creasing abilities as well.

SHOP NOW Slip for Beauty Sleep Pure Silk Pillowcase, $85

Ever the world traveler, Kennedy was exposed to countless international beauty products, but she particularly loved Erno Lazlo's Dead Sea Mud Soap. Rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, the soap works to heal and invigorate, while the mud's fine salt granules exfoliate without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

SHOP NOW Erno Lazlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, $38

Kennedy's preferred fragrance, which she wore daily, came from House of Krigler, a luxury French perfumery founded in 1879. "Lovely Patchouli 55," a sensuous perfume with notes of amber, bergamot, patchouli, and leather, was her scent of choice.

SHOP NOW Krigler Lovely Patchouli 55 Classic, $365

Long before Brooke Shields debuted in Blue Lagoon, Kennedy made the case for a strong brow. To steal her look, make sure your eyebrows are always filled in and blended using a pencil like this one from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Eyebrows should also be sharply arched and well-groomed. (Kennedy was a lifelong perfectionist.)

SHOP NOW Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brown Pencil, $23

Even the seemingly perfect first lady had off-days. When your hair refuses to cooperate, steal her method of wrapping a silk scarf—preferably one by Hermès (pictured here)—around your head. If you don't have time to apply a full face of makeup, reach for a pair of oversized black sunglasses to conceal dark circles.

SHOP SIMILAR Hermès Silk Scarf, $165

While Kennedy aged gracefully, her skin suffered from a bad smoking habit. To keep her face looking youthful and radiant, she relied on Erno Lazlo's Phormula 3-9 Repair Cream, a heavy moisturizer which claims to "protect skin from free radical damage and oxidative stress." As was the case with many of her favorite things, the cream is pricey, but it delivers hydrated skin no matter your vices.

SHOP NOW Erno Laszlo Phormula 3-9 Repair Cream, $275

Kennedy used yet another Erno Lazlo product on her face, which is no surprise considering the former First Lady was a client of the famed dermatologist. According to Vogue, Jackie's favorite face oil was an early version of Lazlo's Phelityl Pre Cleansing Oil, which is still available to buy today.

SHOP NOW Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil, $58

Kennedy's hair may be one of the most iconic 'dos of all time, but let's face it—that bouffant didn't come naturally. Years of sun damage and the repeated use of hot styling tools and hairspray took their toll, so her hairstylist and makeup artist, Peter Lamas, recommended she use oil on the ends of her strands for added protection and hydration. She particularly loved lavender oil (like Christophe Robin Moisturizing Hair Oil) to keep her hair healthy.

SHOP NOW Christophe Robin Hair Oil with Lavender, $47

As the former first lady aged, her skin suffered from sun spots, likely the result of her many holidays in the South of France, Greece, and Rhode Island. To cover up the discoloration, she turned to Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish Foundation, which gave her a fresh-faced, even complexion.

SHOP NOW Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Foundation, $39