How to Get the Victoria’s Secret Angel Look
Flowing locks, shimmering lip-gloss, lacy lingerie... most people would assume the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is made for men. However, this is a terrible misconception. The VSFS is one of the biggest nights of the year and highest rated events on television. It takes an entire year for the Victoria’s Secret executive and creative teams to prepare for a single night of fantastical costumes and phenomenal talent.
Personally, I also take an entire year to prepare myself for one night of wearing lingerie, but I don’t have a team of beauticians to even out my eyeliner and turn my frizz-fro mop of curls into a cascading waterfall of waves. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to feel like Candice Swanepoel gliding through the quad from time to time.
There is no question that true beauty lies within, and no one should ever feel pressured to look a certain way. Beauty standards of yesteryear are falling by the wayside. Leave it to Beaver’s mom to maintain a hairspray-locked coif and cookie cutter style.
That being said, I certainly have days when I want to strut like I’m walking on a Swarovski crystal-encrusted runway. Victoria’s Secret models often get a bad rep; from rumors of unhealthy dieting habits to stereotypical critiques on their intelligence, haters are going to hate. For those of you who want to take some inspiration from the infamous angels, check out these Do’s and Don’ts.
DO rock a natural face with a retro vibe. Try channeling Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, and Kate Moss. Highlight your best features with pink and alabaster tones. It’s all about the sun-kissed glow and just-bitten lips.
DON’T wear four-inch heels in the snow. Honey, your legs are long enough. It’s not about what you’re working with, it’s how you work with what you’ve got. Snow boots, clogs, crocs, or barefoot. As the Cheetah girls would say, “Strut like you mean it!”
DO smize. Show charisma, be silly, stay flirtatious, and above all, enjoy life. VS angels know how to have a good time, and it shows. Don’t be afraid to show some teeth. You’re never fully dressed without a smile (or clothes for that matter, but VS angels kind of disregard that part).
DON’T cover your body in glitter and forget to wear actual clothes. You can do what you want with your body on your own time, but wearing rainbow ostrich feathers or eight-feet wide butterfly wings to statistics is justifiably distracting.
HBC doesn’t exactly have the roomiest seats. It’s just not practical.
DO treat yourself to a day of pampering. Looking good starts with feeling good. Spend a night in, just you and the avocado mask. Drink at least eight cups of water per day and try to get more than seven hours of sleep. Models don’t have bags under their eyes... it’s too much wind resistance when they’re stomping down the runway.
DON’T starve. Empowered women are beautiful because of their confidence. You need to feel strong and solid on your feet. Stay hydrated, keep up with your vitamins, take iron, and enjoy balanced meals throughout the day.
DO the do. Try getting a blowout or new, long layers. VS angels are known for their signature sheen and bouncy curls, and who isn’t a fan of a grand hair flip at the end of the runway?
DON’T constrict yourself to attempting to copy these Amazon goddesses. Victoria’s Secret continues to incorporate diversity and natural hair in the mix of models, but they still have a long way to go. “Looking like a model” is about confidence and proudly portraying the beauty you carry with you.
Stand tall, keep your chin up, and wear whatever the heck you want. Feeling self-assured never looked so good.