A sultry bedroom eye is as old as the pharaohs. Literally. Cleopatra was heavy-handed with her kohl because the leaden formulas protected her eyes from disease. While the origin of the now-classic look isn't exactly sexy, it's long since developed into a matter of form over (medically necessary) function. Because ancient busts don't provide the easiest-to-follow inspiration, here are some cinematic muses whose looks are worth lifting.
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1
Jane Fonda in 'Barbarella'
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In the future, crime-fighting astronauts look like otherworldly bombshells with beguiling eyes and big hair.
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2
Michelle Pfeiffer in 'Batman Returns'
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In another edition of extreme movie makeover, Pfeiffer first appears as a dowdy executive assistant (in probably the most far-fetched aspect of this fantastical movie) before transforming into a kitten with a whip, and apparently a makeup pro, too.
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3
Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cleopatra'
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For a theatrical retelling of Cleopatra's life story, Taylor won over real life husband Richard Burton's Mark Antony with charisma and lids bathed in blue shadow.
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4
Brigitte Bardot in 'And God Created Woman'
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With the help of seriously suggestive smudged eye, Bardot captured the, um, hearts of three different men.
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5
Olivia Newton-John in 'Grease'
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Whatever happened to goody two shoes Sandra Dee? She slipped into a body-con leather ensemble, got a gravity-defying perm, and learned her way around an eye shadow palette to transform into bad girl Sandy.
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6
Donyale Luna in 'Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo?'
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The outlandish designs raucously applauded in this satirical take on the fashion industry are matched by the beautifully un-wearable makeup (unless you're gorgeous real life supe Luna.)
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7
Gwyneth Paltrow in 'Royal Tenenbaums'
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Nothing says morose and inappropriately lovelorn like darkly smudged sad eyes.
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8
Sharon Stone in 'Casino'
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Ginger was a showgirl, but she only toned down her stage make up ever so slightly once she became a pampered moll.
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9
Edie Sedgwick in 'Ciao! Manhattan'
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This Warhol muse played a version of herself in this meta art-house tragedy, all bold brows and modish doe eyes.
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10
Tim Curry in 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'
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Blending be damned! Hard-edged 50 Shades of Grey shadow along with discernible contouring, transformed Curry into cross-dressing, mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter.