Faces That Defined Glamour
The 1950s produced some of the most recognizable icons in Hollywood, but the decade's appeal went far beyond platinum curls and red lips. Actresses brought dramatically different looks to movie screens, magazine covers, and red carpets, proving that beauty could be found all over the world. While what’s most attractive will always be subjective, these 20 women left a mark on the era.
Photographer not credited on Wikimedia
1. Marilyn Monroe
Well, if we’re talking about anyone from the ‘50s, we’re obviously mentioning Marilyn! Her curls, beauty mark, and glamorous makeup became inseparable from the image of 1950s Hollywood. Popular films turned her into an international star, and even decades later, her signature red lips and softly arched brows were instantly recognizable.
Teichnor Bros., Boston on Wikimedia
2. Dorothy Dandridge
Dorothy Dandridge combined remarkable elegance with the kind of screen presence audiences couldn't ignore. Her starring performance in 1954's Carmen Jones made her the first Black woman nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, too, so she was making moves all over the place! Whether appearing in evening gowns or understated portraits, she was effortlessly sophisticated.
3. Audrey Hepburn
We know Marilyn gets brought up a lot, but let’s not forget about another beloved starlet. Rather than following Hollywood's preference for voluptuous bombshells, Audrey actually became famous for an entirely different kind of beauty. Her enormous eyes, strong eyebrows, and delicate features stood out immediately, and by the middle of the decade, she was already influencing hairstyles and fashion.
Bud Fraker (1916-2002) [1] on Wikimedia
4. Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner entered the ‘50s as an established star and only got more glamorous as the decade went on. Everything from her dark hair and striking green eyes right down to her confident style was showcased. She rarely needed elaborate styling to garner attention.
New York Sunday News on Wikimedia
5. Grace Kelly
Few actresses represented polished ‘50s elegance as well as Grace Kelly. Hitchcock films like Rear Window and To Catch a Thief highlighted her refined wardrobe, but they also proudly showed off her blonde hair and famously composed appearance. Her time in the spotlight only strengthened her reputation as a real-life style icon, too.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on Wikimedia
6. Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren brought a distinctly Italian confidence to an era dominated by carefully polished Hollywood stars. We’re talking full lips, expressive eyes, and dark, sculpted brows, all of which became central features of her glamorous appearance. By the late 1950s, her career had made her famous far beyond Italy, allowing everyone to see what the fuss was about.
7. Eartha Kitt
There was nothing generic about Eartha Kitt's beauty—and that’s what made her so captivating. Her eyes, sculpted cheekbones, and distinctive fashion choices complemented an equally memorable singing and acting career. She was the whole package, and she quickly became one of the decade's most recognizable entertainers.
8. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor had already been famous since childhood, but the 1950s transformed her into one of Hollywood's great beauties. Dark hair, dramatic lashes, and famously unusual eyes photographed spectacularly just about everywhere she went. Not to mention, her roles in Giant and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof cemented her transition into an adult movie star.
MGM publicity still on Wikimedia
9. Gina Lollobrigida
It didn’t take long for American audiences to understand why Gina Lollobrigida was nicknamed "the most beautiful woman in the world," at least by parts of the press. The Italian actress favored fitted silhouettes and hairstyles that emphasized her striking features, which is exactly why Hollywood came calling.
Ivo_Lollobrigida_2.jpg: Ivo Bulanda
derivative work: César on Wikimedia
10. Cyd Charisse
Let’s be honest: those famous dancing legs got plenty of attention, but Cyd Charisse's beauty deserves equal credit for making her unforgettable. Aside from her talent, she boasted dark hair, elegant features, and a statuesque presence that made her particularly striking. Her looks were also part of the very reason she landed such a reputation on the big screen.
11. Kim Novak
When Kim Novak arrived in Hollywood during the mid-1950s, Columbia Pictures almost immediately positioned her as a major new star. Who could blame them? Her blonde hair and cool expression gave her a more mysterious appearance than many of her contemporaries. Hitchcock made especially memorable use of that quality in Vertigo.
Photography: Frank Bez on Wikimedia
12. Lena Horne
Lena Horne had already broken barriers in Hollywood during the 1940s, and she remained a glamorous figure throughout the ‘50s. It’s no surprise, though; her radiant complexion and elegant gowns made her a fixture in photographs and nightclubs alike. Horne's sophistication never depended on following popular beauty trends, either, so she was in a class of her own.
Friedman-Abeles, New York, photographer. on Wikimedia
13. Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot helped move ‘50s beauty away from perfection and toward something deliberately less polished. She thankfully brought us tousled blonde hair, heavy eyeliner, and full lips, which stood out just as well as intended! She attracted international attention, and her influence would become even stronger during the ‘60s.
Reporters Associati & Archivi on Wikimedia
14. Pier Angeli
Italian actress Pier Angeli had exactly the soft, expressive features that made Hollywood do a double take—and everyone in theater seats. MGM brought her to America at the beginning of the decade, and she soon appeared opposite some of the biggest stars at the time. Her highly publicized romance with James Dean only added to the fascination surrounding her.
産業経済新聞社（Sankei Shinbun Co., Ltd.） on Wikimedia
15. Anita Ekberg
Long before La Dolce Vita made her famous in 1960, Anita Ekberg was already turning heads throughout the ‘50s. The Swedish beauty queen moved to Hollywood after competing in the Miss Universe pageant and soon landed film roles. Then again, of course she did! Her blonde hair, dramatic figure, and bold features made subtlety unnecessary.
Paramount-photo by Bud Frakes. on Wikimedia
16. Jean Simmons
Jean Simmons offered a softer alternative to the bombshell image that became increasingly popular during the ‘50s. Between her dark eyes and delicate features, she appeared in major productions that might as well have stopped traffic. She could look equally convincing in elaborate costumes or comparatively simple styling, too.
trailer screenshot (RKO Pictures) on Wikimedia
17. Diahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll was still at the beginning of her remarkable career during the ‘50s, but her elegance was plenty obvious before then. She had all the poise and sophistication that would later make her a major style icon, especially as she appeared alongside Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones before taking later roles. Her polished style would also make her a major fashion influence.
18. Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr proved that 1950s glamour didn't always require dramatic makeup. No, this Scottish actress favored a calmer appearance that suited her work, and that composed beauty helped make her one of the decade's most consistently admired leading ladies.
19. Jane Russell
Jane Russell seemingly had it all: dark hair, arched brows, and a confident presence that made her an unmistakable contrast to Hollywood's growing collection of blonde starlets. Nothing showcased that more than her role opposite Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Russell's stronger, more assertive image gave ‘50s glamour another distinctive face.
20. Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood spent much of her childhood in movies, but the 1950s saw her emerge as a glamorous young adult star. Her huge brown eyes and picture-perfect locks became especially memorable after she started picking up more work, and by the decade's end, Wood had firmly left her child-star image behind.
