Movie Moms: The Most Memorable Beauty Moments Ever
Mother’s Day is almost here, which means that it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of the amazing, gorgeous, crazy, hilarious hair and makeup moments of mothers in the movies. Check out your favorite film matriarchs, then go call your own mother—she’s probably waiting patiently.
By Shannon Ray
1967
Anne Bancroft in The Graduate
Bancroft was bold, calm, and determined as she seduced young Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman), and she had the beauty look to match: major lashes and liner topped off with voluminous, highlighted hair. Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson.
1968
Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby
Farrow’s pixie cut has a myth-busting history. According to beauty lore, it was cut by Vidal Sassoon for this movie and loathed by Farrow’s then husband, Frank Sinatra. All false: Farrow actually cut her own pixie with nail scissors, and Sassoon just gave her a trim at a photo shoot staged by the movie studio. Oh, and Sinatra loved her cropped hair.
1983
Beverly D'Angelo in National Lampoon’s Vacation
Ellen Griswold (here with Chevy Chase as, of course, Clark Griswold) had to put up with a lot—dog-pee-soaked sandwiches, vibrating beds, Aunt Edna’s judgmental gaze—but she always took it in stride. How she kept her hair flawlessly curled in that early-‘80s way and remained so fresh and pretty while on such a long road trip is the real mystery.
Related: Find the Best Haircut for Your Face Shape
1989
Sally Field in Steel Magnolias
Field played one hell of a Southern mama. M'Lynn was never without her perfect lipstick and her perm (courtesy of Truvy’s Beauty Spot).
1990
Cher in Mermaids
Being a single mother to Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci came with its fair share of drama, but Cher brought a new level of glamour to this drama set in the early '60s. She rocked a crown of seashells, giant blonde curls, and makeup contouring to put Kim K. to shame.
2000
Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich
Roberts took on big business as single, hardworking mother Erin Brockovich, and in a push-up bra to boot. She wasn’t willing to play down her sexiness, as evidenced by her glow-y makeup and tousled half-up do. And that push-up bra.
2004
Amy Poehler in Mean Girls
Regina George’s mother was the “cool mom,” complete with breast implants, voluminous blonde hair, and one majorly short miniskirt.
Related: 10 Best Dry Shampoos Under $20
2009
Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side
The Blind Side was roughly 30 percent football and 70 percent heart, and Bullock 100 percent killed it as a tough, Southern mom. Bullock was done to the nines, without a hair (or drop of makeup) out of place.
2014
Patricia Arquette in Boyhood
Boyhood was famously filmed over 12 years, and Arquette’s beauty evolution represents her character’s journey, like this look, with her bright-blonde bob with brows and eyes that were subtly defined.
2015
Cate Blanchett in Cinderella
Blanchett played the most wicked of stepmothers, even going so far as to break Ella’s famous (and comfortable) glass slipper. She also looked wickedly gorgeous with impossibly shiny, coiffed copper hair and bold, red lips that wouldn’t quit.
See more of our favorite movie mom beauty moments >
Photos: Everett Collection
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