Have you always wanted to be the type of woman who is sultry, exotic, vampy, and just ultra glamorous? Women like Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor epitomize this type of beauty. Every woman has the potential to appear this way if she wishes. You just need a little guidance and some research, all efforts that are well worth it if you're looking to achieve a sultry, sophisticated, old Hollywood glamour. Here are some suggestions to help with your femme fatale makeover.

Steps

  1. 1
    Look for screen inspiration before you start becoming a femme fatale. Screen beauties are an ideal starting point to find the style and appearance that you'll be wanting to copy. To start off your inspiration, check out the following movie starlets:
  2. 2
    Prepare your hair. A 1940s femme fatale has either long, side-parted waves (think Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake), or shorter pin curls (think Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner). No highlights, and no eccentric rainbow dyes. A femme fatale's hair color is always solid black, deep dark brown, auburn, brown, or platinum blonde.
    • Keep your hair shiny and luxurious. Tame any frizzy hair, split-ends, dye damage, and so on. A femme fatale sees the hair stylist regularly.
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  3. 3
    Prepare your makeup. Femme fatale makeup is glamorous and vampy.Perfect, usually matted, powdered (not caked on) skin, with red or maroon lipstick.



  4. 4
    Find the right shoes. Femme fatales don't wear casual flat shoes or runners. A femme fatale is always dressed to the nines. Her shoes are always high: marabou mules, stilettos and platforms (not the 70s ones or the stripper ones), and look for some embellishments like feathers (marabou or ostrich), texture, animal print or rhinestones.
  5. 5
    Get the right denier for stockings. When it comes to hosiery, a femme fatale is always in fine, black mesh fishnets and/or seamed stockings. Avoid leggings, pantyhose, or opaque tights.
  6. 6
    Prepare your wardrobe. Understand and study the beautiful women of the 1940s, as well as some of the women from the 1950s and earlier eras such as the 1920s and 1930s who are known for being femme fatales. Note how they used to dress: it's all about the old Hollywood glamour and sexiness with a dark side. The femme fatale wardrobe often has an evening edge, even during the daytime. Femme fatales rarely wear denim. Here are some examples of femme fatale wardrobe:
  7. 7
    As a glamorous 1940s femme fatale, own at least one full-length gown. It can be strapless, backless, halter in satin or art deco designs-whatever flatters and makes you feel sexy and evokes the Golden years of Hollywood.
  8. 8
    Wear sunglasses. When out in the daytime, a femme fatale always wears dark sunglasses possible.It can be retro cat-eyes or big Jackie-O ones; whichever suits your face shape best as long as no one sees your eyes.
  9. 9
    Finish your look with a hat. Something with structure and flatters your face shape, preferably decorated with a veil, jewels, furs or feathers. A good example is a veiled pillbox hat.
  10. 10
    Most femmes fatales smoked in the past, when it was still considered sexy. You don't have to smoke to be a femme fatale—in fact, modern day etiquette dictates that you should not. If you do, however, use a cigarette holder.
  11. 11
    Wear sultry,alluring perfume. Make it your signature scent—you want to be remembered.
  12. 12
    Select your jewelery. Go for diamonds, diamonds, diamonds! Make sure they are big enough to be seen far away.
  13. 13
    Cultivate a sultry, Lauren Bacall-esque voice. (Listen to her voice here) This is the cherry on top to becoming a femme fatale. Lower your voice and do some voice exercises.
    • Avoid making your voice sound too masculine and low that you are no longer audible.
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Warnings

  • When looking like a femme fatale, make it effortless: don't make it look like you're trying too hard!
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  • Looking like a femme fatale does not always mean chain smoking or leading men into dangerous situations!
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  • Know the difference between sexy in a dark and mysterious way and sexy in a promiscuous way. Femme fatales are the former.
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  • Men will be intimidated by you!
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  • Learn the art of seduction, like staring deeply into men's eyes or dangling your marabou mules on the tip of your foot.
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Things You'll Need

  • Red lipstick (that goes well with your skin tone) and/or dark burgundy/maroon colored lipstick for evening
  • Certain types of heels, such as marabou mules and stiletto heels
  • "Cat's eye" liquid liner effect or smoky eyes (one of the most important for a femme fatale)
  • Concealer, powder and foundation (that matches your skin color)
  • Sultry perfume
  • Opera gloves
  • Luxurious fur coat (mink, sable, or fox fur...), or faux fur if you do not feel comfortable wearing real fur
  • Sexy lingerie
  • Black fishnet stockings and seamed stockings
  • Dark sunglasses (for the daytime)
  • Womanly clothing in dark colors and jewel tones tailored for your figure
  • At least one glamorous full-length gown
  • Cigarette holder if you smoke

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 30 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 249,490 times.
104 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 30
Updated: January 8, 2023
Views: 249,490
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