Beauty Police: Sophia Bush Raids Her Grandmother's Makeup Bag for This Bland Makeunder

Hatfields & McCoys star steps out at the White House Correspondents' Dinner looking a few years old

By Janna Mandell Apr 30, 2013 5:50 PMTags
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We saw this photo of Sophia Bush at the 2013 White House Correspondents' Dinner and our first impression (before we zoomed in) was that it was someone over the age of 50. Anyone who has a brick of bangs that thick must be hiding some pretty deep lines, right?

Nope! She's only 30! So what is she hiding under there? A bad breakout? A bump? A bruise? Those bangs are so thick they look fake, like her hairstylist clipped them on.

And what's up with her senior citizen-approved makeup palette? Aside from the dots of shimmer at the inner corners of her eyes and on her lower lash line (which we love) it looks like she dipped into grandma's makeup stash.

Is she kidding with that nude lip? Ladies, nude lipsticks are reserved for dramatic eyes. End of story. This shade of lipstick makes her lips look like they are practically disappearing into her face.  

Beauty Bailout: Let me tell you something right now: If you are wearing a nude dress, you best be rocking some color on your face! Whether you apply a swipe of brightly colored eyeliner or give yourself a statement lip, we forbid you to leave the house in all neutrals unless you're trying to go unnoticed (or in Sophia's case, trying to channel her grandmother). 

Before we get into the makeup—because we just can't stop focusing on the hair—we suggest she either: 1. Unclips those bangs (in our hearts we're hoping that awful fringe is fake and removable). 2. Have her hairstylist gather them back and up into that adorable chignon. Or 3. Sweep them to the side into a retro pin-curl look (which would have really complemented the dress).

As for the makeup, Sophia has one of those classically beautiful faces so her makeup is a no-brainer. Instead of this practically invisible kitten eye she should have applied a gel liner like Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Ebony with the Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush for a dramatic double-winged eye. Get this by creating a thin line along your lower lash line and extending it out about a half inch or inch (depending on desired drama) and slightly downwards. Create a second winged line on the upper lash line but instead of extending it towards the outer eyebrow (like a regular winged eye) wing it upwards in a mirror image of the lower line.

This look is also screaming for a deep warm red lip like Lancome Rouge in Love in 181N Rouge Saint Honore, that would have lasted the actress through hours of chatting and numerous glasses of champagne without drying her lips. Voila! Retro glamour! 

And we end our rant with a last plea: Sophia, you have flawless skin! Have you heard of highlighter? Apply it above your cheekbones, on the bridge of your nose and on your lips' cupid bow so that you can publicly shame all the other starlets with your perfection.

And Sophia, please let us know when you're ready to stop hiding behind your wall of bangs. We hate wasted—or in this case hidden—beauty.

If you're a beauty addict, Janna will be your enabler. Just an occasional user? She'll be your bad influence. Visit her blog at www.mybeautybinge.com and indulge!

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