What comes to mind when you hear the words “Victoria’s Secret”? For me, it’s instantly a vision of stunning women with bombshell hair, glamorous lingerie, and those iconic, elaborate wings. There’s always more abs than I thought possible and, of course, that ethereal makeup that makes them look like they’ve just stepped out of a dream. Yes, I know—the shows were all about showcasing the lingerie, but if you’re a beauty lover like me, that was honestly the least interesting part. I was living for those Victoria’s Secret makeup looks. No matter how the styles shifted over the years, there was always one constant: the models’ fresh, dewy, and universally flattering glow.
It’s no surprise that the Victoria’s Secret fashion shows crafted this aspirational world where beauty, glamour, and makeup were all intertwined to create the signature bombshell look. And today, I want to dive deeper into that world because it’s about so much more than just a shimmer of lip gloss or a perfect spray tan. It’s about the way the makeup artists approached beauty—effortlessly, yet always glamorous. So, join me as we take a journey through the decades of Victoria’s Secret makeup and explore the artists and looks that have defined each era of this iconic brand.
The Start of the Victoria’s Secret Angel Aesthetic
The early 2000s were an iconic time, especially when it came to makeup and beauty trends. This was when beauty products started to embody that glamorous-yet-girly aesthetic that defined the decade. I’m talking frosty eyeshadow, baby-pink lip gloss, dark lip liner, and everything in between. Personally, I was way too young to wear makeup back then, but I still remember admiring stars like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Amanda Bynes with their innocent yet feminine makeup looks.
Of course, the most iconic beauty product from that era had to be the Beauty Rush tube lip glosses. If you had one of those, you were automatically a hot girl. Actually, you were the hottest girl, and I probably envied you, even though I wasn’t even wearing lip gloss yet. I still remember the different flavors, from sweet vanilla to fruity ones like strawberry and watermelon. They were shiny, fun, and affordable—basically a rite of passage for any girl wanting to channel her inner VS Angel. And let’s not forget the shimmer powders! Victoria’s Secret wasn’t just about face makeup; they were all about body beauty too. Their shimmer body powders gave off a glow that made you feel like you were just a step away from the runway, sparkling under the spotlight.
I’ll always be nostalgic for the early 2000s and how playful the makeup and fashion trends were back then. Another thing to remember is that this was when VS launched their iconic body sprays, which became total cult favorites. Whether you were heading to school or hanging out at the mall, a spritz of Victoria’s Secret body spray made you feel fresh, glamorous, and ready for anything.
A Look at the Makeup Artists
A big part of Victoria’s Secret’s makeup history isn’t just about the products themselves, but the incredible makeup artists who brought those iconic looks to life. So, before we start examining each era, let’s first learn a bit more about the people behind the looks. Some of the world’s most famous makeup artists have been behind the glowing skin, sultry eyes, and glossy lips that made Victoria’s Secret models look so stunning, both on and off the runway.
Pat McGrath
One name that stands out is Pat McGrath, often hailed as one of the most influential makeup artists in the world. Known for her bold, avant-garde style, McGrath’s work with Victoria’s Secret took the runway makeup to an entirely new level. Her signature dewy skin, bold brows, and metallic finishes became a staple of the VS Fashion Shows in the mid-2000s. She wasn’t afraid to experiment with metallic shadows and high-shine glosses, making sure every Angel looked flawless under those blinding runway lights. McGrath’s ability to blend high fashion with everyday glamour made her work resonate not just with models but with beauty lovers around the world.
Charlotte Tilbury
Another legendary name in Victoria’s Secret history is Charlotte Tilbury. Tilbury’s work helped define the brand’s iconic bombshell look. Known for enhancing natural beauty while keeping things sultry and glamorous, Tilbury perfected the art of smoky eyes, glowing skin, and soft, sexy lips. Her makeup style struck the perfect balance between feminine and fierce, creating that effortless bombshell allure that women everywhere tried to replicate. The looks she created for Victoria’s Secret were equal parts approachable and aspirational, influencing beauty routines globally.
Tom Pecheux
The artist most credited with defining the “runway bombshell” look during the peak of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s popularity is Tom Pecheux. Renowned for his expertise, Pecheux frequently led the backstage makeup team, and his signature style became synonymous with the glamor of the shows. His approach focused on enhancing the natural beauty of the models while infusing a sense of sultriness and radiance that captivated audiences worldwide.
What truly set Pecheux apart was his ability to reinvent the bombshell look each year. He introduced various new techniques and trends, ensuring that the makeup remained fresh and exciting. One year, he might focus on bold red lips, channeling classic Hollywood glam, while another year might feature an edgier metallic eye look that brought a modern twist to the traditional bombshell aesthetic. No matter the variation, the makeup was always impeccable and tailored to highlight each model’s unique features.
Rose-Marie Swift
Then, there’s Rose-Marie Swift, who added her own unique flair to the Victoria’s Secret makeup legacy. Recently, she’s gone viral for revealing her secret weapon during those iconic shows—red blush. Swift explained how she used red blush on the models to give them a natural, healthy flush that added to their glowing, goddess-like appearance on the runway. Her use of red blush has become a signature technique that’s now being rediscovered and appreciated again by makeup lovers everywhere.
It’s worth noting that many of these makeup artists from the early Victoria’s Secret days now run their own wildly successful makeup brands. Pat McGrath has her own line, Pat McGrath Labs, which is revered in the beauty world for its cutting-edge, high-performance products. Charlotte Tilbury has built a beauty empire with her namesake brand, offering everything from her cult-favorite Magic Cream to her iconic Pillow Talk lip products. Rose-Marie Swift is the founder of RMS Beauty, a clean beauty brand that’s become a favorite for those seeking natural, glowing looks. These artists didn’t just shape the look of Victoria’s Secret—they’ve gone on to influence the entire beauty industry, creating products that allow everyday people to capture a bit of that runway magic.
The Hype Around the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows
You have to understand just how iconic the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was. There was an undeniable buzz surrounding it, with people across the U.S. and around the world eagerly waiting to tune in. From the moment it first aired on television, the show became synonymous with glamour and beauty, setting a high standard for fashion events. For years, this annual extravaganza was more than just a fashion show—it was the peak of entertainment.
The models, known as “Angels,” didn’t just walk the runway in stunning lingerie; they created memorable moments alongside some of the biggest names in music. Iconic artists like Rihanna, the Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, and Ed Sheeran performed live. Remember how Bella Hadid was walking the runway while her ex, The Weeknd, was performing? Talking about iconic… And there were so many more moments like this that added to the entertainment.
Also, the shows would feature elaborate set designs, dazzling costumes, and even themed segments. To name just a few, we had “Heavenly Bodies” in 2017, which celebrated celestial beauty; “Glam Royale” in 2016, inspired by royal elegance; and “The Perfect Ten” in 2015, highlighting a decade of iconic moments. Then we also had the “Circus Angels” theme in 2009 that brought playful colors and super unique designs, My favorite had to be the “A Decade of Glamour” in 2008 which celebrated the legacy of the Angels.
The 1990s
The 1990s marked the beginning of an era, when the first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show took place in 1995, introducing a new kind of entertainment that combined fashion, music, and beauty. The makeup looks during this era were all about high glamour, perfectly complementing the iconic lingerie and the stunning supermodels who graced the runway. Models like Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, and Laetitia Casta defined the first fashion shows with their timeless beauty and flawless looks. The signature makeup featured a fresh, dewy complexion, bedroom eyes, and pale and glossy lips. Sexiness and femininity were all the rage back then, and the goal wasn’t to make the models look innocent and girly like it was in the following years.
The 2000s
By the mid-2000s, Victoria’s Secret makeup was a big part of the brand’s identity. Beauty trends were shifting, moving away from smoky eyes and sultry looks to a more youthful and innocent vibe that perfectly matched the younger crowd that loved the Victoria’s Secret aesthetic.
During this time, the Bombshell look was in full swing. Just look at the runway photos from the Victoria’s Secret shows, and you’ll see models walking the catwalk with bronzed, glowing skin and effortlessly sexy makeup. This makeup was all about complementing their lingerie and swimwear collections, featuring bronzed cheekbones, sparkling eyeshadows, and lips that ranged from soft nudes to bold reds. Supermodels like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Gisele Bündchen were the stars of these shows.
Bronzer was definitely the star product during this era. Victoria’s Secret introduced a variety of bronzing powders, creams, and highlighters to help everyone achieve that “just back from the beach” glow that was so popular. They also rolled out shimmering body powders and mists, making it easy for anyone to look radiant from head to toe. This focus on beauty and the signature Bombshell look really helped cement Victoria’s Secret’s place in the makeup world during the mid-2000s.
The 2010s
The 2010s were a big turning point for the beauty world. With social media, especially Instagram, changing the game, our views on makeup started to shift a lot. Full glam became the go-to look, thanks to celebrities like Kim Kardashian, who made contouring and bold highlighters super popular. Even with all these changes, Victoria’s Secret stuck to its classic vibe, focusing on soft, glowing, and romantic makeup.
Social media also gave fans a new way to experience the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, offering behind-the-scenes looks at how the models got ready, the products they used, and the techniques the makeup artists employed. Tom Pecheux was the main makeup artist during this time, and he played a huge role in creating that iconic bombshell look. The Angels of the 2010s, like Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Erin Heatherton, Miranda Kerr, and Adriana Lima, were all known for their fresh, natural beauty, perfectly fitting the brand’s aesthetic.
However, the beauty industry was also starting to embrace more diverse looks, which made it feel like Victoria’s Secret was a bit out of touch. Overall, the 2010s were an interesting time for beauty. While Victoria’s Secret held on to its classic style, the rest of the industry was exploring new ideas and more inclusive trends, making it clear that beauty was evolving.
2019
In 2019, Victoria’s Secret announced the end of its iconic Fashion Show, a decision that surprised many fans and marked a significant turning point for the brand. The announcement came after nearly three decades of extravagant shows featuring glamorous models and elaborate performances, which had become a cultural phenomenon. However, by the end of the decade, the show faced growing criticism for its lack of diversity and inclusivity, as well as its promotion of an unrealistic beauty standard.
The brand acknowledged that times were changing and that the ultra-glamorous, supermodel aesthetic no longer resonated with consumers as it once did. Ed Razek, the former chief marketing officer of Victoria’s Secret, stated in interviews that the decision was made in response to evolving cultural norms and a desire to adapt to the preferences of modern audiences. He noted that the brand wanted to move forward and “evolve,” acknowledging the need for a more inclusive approach in a changing beauty landscape.
What’s Next for Victoria’s Secret Makeup?
As most of you probably know, we’re just days away from the first Victoria’s Secret fashion show of the 2020s, and to say I’m excited would be an understatement. So far, the makeup trends this decade have leaned heavily toward minimalism, with Hailey Bieber’s “clean girl” look dominating beauty routines worldwide. So, what does the future hold for Victoria’s Secret makeup? Personally, I’m predicting a lot of glowing, radiant skin, overblushed cheeks, and natural, feathery brows. Of course, glossy lips and big, voluminous hair are practically runway traditions at this point.
What makes this upcoming show particularly exciting, though, is the potential for inclusivity on the runway. While the former Victoria’s Secret Angels were undeniably gorgeous, let’s be real—they all had a pretty similar look. I’m hoping this time around, we’ll see more diversity in the models, showcasing a wider range of beauty. On top of that, I’m super curious to see which makeup artists will take center stage, what products they’ll use, and, of course, all the inevitable TikTok makeup tutorials that will be flooding our feeds soon after.
