The remake of Wuthering Heights gave us a lot: memories of our first encounter with the classic novel; Margot Robbie with her expansive and thematically appropriate red carpet wardrobe; and a romantic beauty look that would make modern Heathcliffs lose their minds. Another confirmation of the cyclical nature of beauty trends – this year, all eyes are on the 18th century face.
The era that is usually aesthetically associated with Marie Antoinette (rich blush over lead-bleached skin, elaborate high hairstyles) gradually lost popularity as the 20th century approached. “There was a major shift away from excessive and extravagant makeup and hair,” explains makeup artist and beauty historian Lisa Eldridge. “This style became the subject of satire and began to seem vulgar and frivolous.”
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Emily Brontë published Wuthering Heights in 1847, but the novel is set much earlier (the late 18th and early 19th centuries), at a time of great change. Modesty and naturalness became symbols of virtue and moral purity. “There was a belief that a fresh, neoclassical look made you a better person. There were moral debates about appearance: if you wore too much makeup, you were probably a bad person,” Eldridge notes.
It was then that the type of beauty we still love today, centuries later, was born. Glowing skin, a hint of blush on the cheeks, and, in Catherine's case, a look of love. From skincare to delicate color placement, here's our slightly more in-depth look at the 18th-century aesthetic for 2026.
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Heroine's Skin: The Secret to an 18th Century Glowing Face
While Katherine and her contemporaries were just beginning to learn about soap (“People hardly bathed back then, but soap was becoming more available, so at least you could wash your face and hands to look fresh,” Eldridge explains), modern women have beauticians and skin experts at their disposal.
According to aesthetician Karen Dougherty, healthy skin starts with a good routine and consistency. “I put a lot of emphasis on restoring the skin barrier,” she says. “When it’s healthy, skin is cleaner and more tolerant of both active ingredients and professional treatments.” Her advice is to moisturize regularly, avoid over-cleansing, and introduce active ingredients gradually without overwhelming it. Professional treatments can also be an effective support. “People often come in with a range of issues, from inflammation and pigmentation to loss of elasticity and uneven texture. There’s rarely one treatment that can solve everything,” she says.
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That's why Dougherty is a proponent of what's called treatment stacking—combining different techniques for better results and faster recovery. She often uses Rexonage to reduce underlying inflammation, combining it with energy technologies: NeoGen to stimulate collagen production and BBL Heroic to even out skin tone. This approach works for long-term skin health.
In the 18th century, however, the approach was very different. The Toilet of Flora, a guide to beauty recipes at the time, detailed the ways to achieve clear, glowing skin that remains an obsession today. “There’s a recipe where you cut a hole in a lemon, fill it with sugar and cloves, seal it with gold leaf, and bake it in hot ashes. The juice was said to be rubbed on the skin for a glow,” laughs Eldridge. Fortunately, today we have much more effective formulas.
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Eyebrows that frame the face: natural density without excess
The phrase that eyebrows frame the face may sound cliché, but it’s true. According to brow expert Anu Khapung, the key is to work with what nature has given you. “Not everyone is born with thick brows, so the key is to give them a soft, natural shape and maximum fullness, not too much definition,” she explains. Tailoring the shape to each client’s facial features, Khapung uses threading for light texture and tinting to create the illusion of fullness and soft accent. If your brows have been over-plucked or need a touch-up, she recommends refraining from any at-home tweezing for at least six weeks before going to a professional.
If you're not ready to give up on brow makeup completely, use a thin-tipped pencil to fill in any gaps. “Finish off with brow gel to set the shape. Or if your brows are very light, opt for a tinted gel to add softness and volume,” she advises.
Marine romance in makeup: muted shades for cheeks and lips
Skin preparation is key. While 18th-century girls relied on soap and, it turns out, baked lemons, today we cleanse and apply an essence or toner. Glycerin (one of Eldridge's favorite ingredients) was invented in the 18th century and was used much the same way it is now: to draw moisture into the skin. A moisturizer like Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream is a great way to take advantage of its properties.
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“They used a lot of natural powders, including cornstarch, to remove shine and even out the tone,” Eldridge explains. “It created a soft, velvety effect without feeling heavy.” Then there was color. Homemade liquid lipsticks were used, which were applied to both the lips and cheeks. The choice of shade was crucial. In the absence of synthetic pigments, the colors were taken from nature – muted, soft. Warm, slightly darkened reds for darker skin and cool pinks for lighter ones – in velvety matte textures.
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How to apply? On lips, Eldridge recommends using a fluffy eyeshadow brush instead of a classic lip brush. “The color should feel like it's coming from within, not layered,” she explains.
“On the cheeks, the product should be pressed into the skin a little carelessly: two perfect stripes look unnatural.” A slight asymmetry works best, as does blush extended a little lower on the cheeks – boyfriend blush style.
Wuthering Heights Hair: Soft, Natural-Looking Waves
The most modern way to reimagine late 18th-century hairstyles is to take a cue from Margot Robbie. Her longtime stylist Bryce Scarlett created a number of bold looks for the press tour, but this one was the most versatile—soft, slightly tousled waves. “It's an almost flat wave with a matte, dry texture,” explains stylist Luke Gersheson.
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To recreate this effect, he suggests starting with a light texturizing spray—it adds hold, eliminates excess shine, and makes hair look “lively” instead of too stiff. To create waves, use a dual-barrel multi-styler like the Hershesons Multi-Tasker. And voila: windswept waves with the feel of a costume drama you just experienced.
Based on the material: Vogue.co.uk