Effortlessly chic and timelessly natural, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s classic ’90s beauty is once again capturing our attention. With Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette coming to a close, fans and beauty devotees alike are looking beyond the romance—they’re scrambling to decode her signature look. And after some serious sleuthing, I’ve pieced together exactly how to emulate it.
Shop Bessette Kennedy’s Beauty Routine
Bessette’s approach was deceptively simple: skin that looked naturally flawless—powdered, but not overly so; lips in soft, natural tones—whether balm, gloss, or the occasional bold red; and very minimal eye makeup, occasionally flirting with smoky liner and volumizing mascara. Her hair, too, has long been the subject of fascination: thick, glossy, perfectly highlighted strands worn in effortlessly undone waves, completely straight, or slicked back into a minimalist updo, often finished with her signature tortoiseshell headband.
Of course, the allure didn’t stop at what you can see, with fragrance also being part of her mystique. Bessette Kennedy favored delicate, musky scents—specifically a rare Egyptian musk oil with hints of white musk, myrrh, and rose—which paved the way for the delicate, skin-like perfumes that followed, including Narciso Rodriguez’s now-iconic creation, For Her.
Curious to channel Bessette Kennedy’s effortless glamour? Keep reading for the must-have products and steps to nail her iconic look.
Minimal Makeup
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s beauty routine was refreshingly simple—and that was precisely the appeal. She kept things relatable, paring her regimen down to the essentials every woman already has in her makeup bag: foundation, mascara, and lipstick.
Complexion
Bessette Kennedy gravitated toward a matte complexion, occasionally opting for a softer, dewier finish. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is often cited as her go-to and has amassed a cult following for its ability to blur pores and leave behind a supermodel-smooth, velvety finish. The classic is still available today (now reformulated without talc and made waterproof), alongside a handful of complexion staples that make achieving flawlessly natural skin feel effortless.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder
Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Blurring Powder Foundation
Patrick Ta Major Skin Crème Foundation and Finishing Powder Duo
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Pressed Setting Powder
Eyes
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy often kept her eye makeup minimal, favoring a barely-there look with the occasional sweep of mascara and liner, softly smoked for subtle definition. According to ’90s beauty lore, Bone by Bobbi Brown was one of her go-to shades—its slight shimmer brightening the eyes so you look awake, while still keeping things natural.
Bobbi Brown Bone Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Long-Wearing Cream Eyeshadow
Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volumizing and Curling Mascara
Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner
Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eyeliner Pencil
Lips
Bessette Kennedy’s lip routine has sparked plenty of debate, with beauty obsessives long wondering about the exact shade of her perfect red. For liner, she was rumored to favor MAC’s Lip Pencil in Spice (a cult classic you can still shop today), along with its cooler counterpart, Cool Spice, for rosier tones.
As for lipstick, Bessette Kennedy’s original go-to, Cranberry Veil by Face Stockholm, remains in production, though plenty of other options deliver that same delicious, just-bitten hue. For a more subtle wash of color, reach for Violette_FR’s Bisou Balm in Bonbon Myrtille. And on no-lipstick days, she kept things simple with a hydrating balm—something like Prada’s formula, infused with jojoba oil, does the trick and feels undeniably chic to pull from your purse for a quick touch-up.
Face Stockholm Cranberry Veil Lipstick
Merit Gamay Signature Lip Lightweight Lip Blush
Violette_FR Bonbon Myrtille Bisou Balm Sheer Matte Lipstick
MAC Spice Lip Pencil Creamy Liner
Prada Hydrating Lip Balm With Jojoba Oil
Fragrance
We’re all wondering what intriguing scent complemented her natural, effortless look. And it seems the fragrance matched that understated aesthetic, too: Bessette Kennedy favored skin-like scents that weren’t overpowering—something delicate, slightly musky, yet utterly intoxicating.
According to the New York Times bestseller Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by Elizabeth Beller, Egyptian Musk Oil was a must-have in Bessette Kennedy’s lineup. Perfectly capturing that quiet-luxury mood, the creamy, skin-like scent features tantalizing notes of myrrh, rose, and musk. As a perfume oil, a little goes a long way—and it lingers beautifully throughout the day. While the original is sold out, I’ve found a strikingly similar alternative, plus a few more favorites that capture the same luxe, softly alluring scent.
HalalEveryDay Egyptian Musk Body Oil Roll-On
Nemat International Vanilla Musk Perfume Oil Roll-On
Kiehl’s Original Musk Eau de Toilette Spray
Narcisco Rodriguez For Her Eau de Parfum
Hair
Bessette Kennedy’s hair was impressively glossy and sleek—especially considering it was likely highlighted often, as her natural shade was a light to medium brown. To achieve that natural, sun-kissed effect, it’s rumored she opted for foil highlights, frequently brightening the hairline in what’s now often referred to as the “Scandi blonding technique.” Whether worn loose and undone or pulled back into a bun, Bessette Kennedy was said to rely on Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom to achieve her signature smooth, lustrous finish. Shop it below, along with more frizz-taming, shine-boosting formulas.
Kiehl’s Creme With Silk Groom
Davines Davines OI All in One Milk
Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Hair Mist
Kerastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
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As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com commerce writer Laura Tarafa relied on research and experience to identify the best products for achieving a natural, effortless beauty routine inspired by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
