I’ve always been partial to villains and antiheroes, probably because they’re all the things I’m not that I really want to be: daring, provocative, devil-may-care and absolutely fearless. They always seem to know exactly who they are, exactly what they want and exactly how they’re going to get it. Sure, they don’t always win (but sometimes they do!), and their methods are more than a little questionable on occasion, but they’re characters in every sense of the word. They never fail to fascinate. The baddies, when done right, have so much depth, so many layers, and a touch of darkness that piques the imagination.
And they’re typically better dressed in my favorite color: Black, black, and more black. What’s not to love?
I’m part of the generation that will probably never get the opportunity to be well and truly bad. We serve up such sanitized, rated PG versions of ourselves these days, because who wants to run the risk of running their mouths or going a little crazy (or similar) and getting slayed for it on the Internet? The true bad girl is borderline extinct. But I can channel the vibe in little ways — the leather jacket on my back, Chanel Rouge Noir on my fingertips, a ring of kohl around my eyes, and reddest red on my lips, just like some of these badass babes off the silver screen.
Evelyn Salt
Dangerously sexy, spies are badass bad girls on the side of good — most of the time. Something anyone would kill for: Evelyn Salt’s killer bone structure. Create a chiseled look by dusting powder that’s at least two shades darker than your usual (not bronzer, which can look too orange) and blend gently under the natural contours of your cheekbones to create dimension.
Mia Wallace
When it comes being Mia Wallace, do: Put some Dusty Springfield on as you get dressed, then dance, dance, dance. Smoky gray and plum shadow ‘round the eyes for a touch of that ‘90s heroin chic (sans the heroin, of course — she’s a cautionary tale), and a deep, deep lip make the look.
Catherine Tramell
Channel Catherine Tramell’s killer sex appeal — not her serial killer tendencies — with brown and violet shadow gently blended into a winged-out soft-smoky style. A hint of apricot blush and lipstick to match scream sexy, subtly.
Lisbeth Salander
Things we wish we could cop: Lisbeth Salander’s razor sharp mind, mad hacking skills and totally punk look. Ring kohl pencil liner around your eyes, then blend black shadow into the line for that rock and roll aesthetic. A nude lip balances out the look.
Photos by GEE PLAMENCO, Sittings by DAVID MILAN, Assisted by FRANCINE GACRAMA, Makeup by EMMAN CONCEPION of MAC Cosmetics, Hair by ELLAH STA. CRUZ of Bench Fix, Modeled by CHANEL OLIVE THOMAS, Nails by ANNALIZA TOGONON of Beauty & Butter, Wigs from Lynelle House of Hair Fashion, Shot on location at 71 Gramercy