Here’s How to Recreate the Makeup Looks of Our Favourite TV Characters from the 2010s

Don’t you just miss the era when shows like Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries ruled the screen?

These shows weren’t just a source of drama; they became our style guides, with each character’s look setting trends that left a lasting mark.

The makeup enhanced natural beauty with effortless glam—polished yet relatable. Here’s how to recreate 2010s TV makeup looks.

So, What Defines the 2010s TV Makeup Look?

The makeup of the 2010s for TV show heroines often focused on effortlessly polished glamour. However, each character brought a unique twist to this trend.

For example, Suits’ Rachel Zane (played by Meghan Markle) sported a polished, professional look with flawless skin and a nude lip, while The Vampire Diaries’ Elena Gilbert went for a more natural, slightly smoky style to match her character’s mysterious edge.

Over on Scandal, Olivia Pope kept it powerful and elegant with glowy skin, natural tones, and softly defined features. From nude lips and dewy complexions to soft smoky eyes, these makeup styles emphasised an almost “perfectly imperfect” beauty.

Recreate 2010’s TV Makeup Looks!

Step 1: Perfect Those Brows

In the 2010s, bold brows weren’t as popular as they are today. Instead, the emphasis was on natural, lightly groomed brows.

All the characters sported neatly shaped, arched brows. Use a clear brow gel to tidy them up, then fill in lightly with a soft brow liner like the Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil for a natural finish.

Use a brow pencil or powder that matches your hair colour to fill in sparse areas, but don’t go overboard. Rachel Zane and Spencer Hastings (Pretty Little Liars) both had softly defined brows that looked natural and effortlessly chic.

Step 2: The Flawless Base

@lilachilds

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♬ original sound – Lila

No matter the character, the protagonists of the 2010s had smooth, matte skin that looked effortlessly natural. Keep it minimal with a lightweight foundation or a matte tinted moisturiser for a polished finish.

TikToker @lilachilds recommends using the Urban Decay Face Bond, noting that a little product goes a long way, giving you a flawless finish without the feeling of heavy makeup.

Step 3: Conceal with Precision

To tackle dark circles, spots, and blemishes, reach for the Hourglass Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer. Its lightweight yet full-coverage formula blurs imperfections, leaving your skin looking flawless without feeling heavy.

Step 4: Add a Touch of Bronzer for a Sculpted Look

Contouring in the 2010s was subtle but effective. Most of the characters have a more sculpted look rather than an all-out bronzed glow. To get that subtle definition, lightly sweep a matte bronzer under your cheekbones and along your jawline for a naturally contoured finish.

And when you blend, make sure there are no super harsh lines for a seamless look. Think of Elina Gilbert from The Vampire Diaries—her sculpted cheekbones and soft, natural contour were always on point, giving her a flawless, yet understated look.

Step 5: Keep the Blush Subtle and Rosy

Blush in the 2010s was all about a subtle rosy or slightly peachy hue, focused more on the hall of the cheekbone. The trick?

Keep the centre of your face bare and let the colour softly enhance your natural glow. TikToker @lilachilds swears by the Monica Blunder Liquid Blush for this look. If that’s hard to find, Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush or Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush has excellent options to help you nail this understated flush.

This gives a soft, youthful glow seen in characters like Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl and Lydia Martin from Teen Wolf, who each had a fresh, radiant look.

DV Pro tip: Stick to blush tones that complement your natural flush, like soft pinks or peaches, to keep it as natural as possible.

Step 6: Work on Your Eyes & Lashes

@dana.minkk

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♬ Bed Chem – Sabrina Carpenter

Here’s where the look becomes unique to each character. For Elena Gilbert’s signature look, try a softly smoked brown eyeshadow to create subtle drama. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Sultry Eyeshadow Palette Mini is perfect for this, with its rich brown tones that blend effortlessly for that soft, smoldering effect.

If you’re channeling Serena van der Woodsen’s effortlessly chic look, go for neutral, shimmery eyeshadows like soft browns and golds. Blend the shadows well to avoid harsh lines. Or, if you’re inspired by Aria from Pretty Little Liars, opt for a smokier vibe with darker shades like deep greys or charcoal around the outer corners.

Use a brown eyeliner for a softer definition, smudging it gently to give a slightly lived-in look. And mascara is a must to make your lashes stand out, just like these characters, adding that final touch of definition and opening up the eyes.

Step 7: Glossy Lips or Neutral Mattes

Most of these iconic characters went for lips that looked natural yet polished. For instance, Serena’s character frequently wore glossy, nude shades that added a touch of glamour without overpowering her look.

In contrast, Blair was known for her classic pink and red lips, which gave her a more refined appearance. Rachel Zane also stuck with neutral mattes, keeping her look professional yet approachable.

For an authentic 2010s finish, stick with soft pinks or nude lip colours in a satin or semi-matte finish, or go for a sheer gloss to add that extra shine.

Step 8: Set and Shine Less with Translucent Powder

@elinaevns

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♬ оригінальний звук – Elina

To keep your makeup in place all day, finish with a light dusting of setting powder, like the one from Anastasia Beverly Hills. It’ll help set everything without leaving you feeling cakey.

Recreating these 2010s makeup styles is all about balance. The goal is to look glamorous yet effortless. Embrace the nostalgic glamour, but don’t be afraid to make these looks your own with a few modern tweaks!