Cleopatra makeup - Iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor applying her makeup for her in 1963

The iconic Elizabeth Taylor applying her own makeup for the legendary 1963 film – Cleopatra. This film made history for a number of reasons (apart from the great love affair that developed between Elizabeth and Richard Burton) – it went so far over budget that it nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox (it was only the success of The Sound of Music two years later that saved the studio). Elizabeth’s look was really influential – Revlon began promoting Cleopatra ‘Sphinx Eyes’ as a look, women began wearing snake rings, arm cuffs, maxi dresses and geometric haircuts (such is the power of feature film on fashion in makeup and hair as well as what we wear).