With FX’s Love Story premiering February 12th, fascination with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites and her signature minimalism is resurfacing. While the series revisits her iconic romance, it also reminds us of her quietly powerful beauty aesthetic.
The allure of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites lies in her restraint. She didn’t rely on heavy glam or dramatic trends. Instead, she chose refined, intentional products that enhanced rather than transformed.
Carolyn has always been a muse for me. I adore her clean aesthetic and timeless beauty. Her clothes and beauty are as beautiful now as they were in the 90’s.
Here are the documented Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites — including the ones you can still purchase today.
Face Stockholm “Cranberry Veil” Lipstick
One of the most talked-about products associated with Carolyn is Face Stockholm Lipstick in Cranberry Veil.
This soft berry shade perfectly captured her signature lip: muted, sophisticated, and never loud. It offered just enough depth to define the mouth while still feeling effortless.
The good news?
Face Stockholm still produces Cranberry Veil today, making it one of the most authentic Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites you can currently buy.
To modernize it:
- Apply straight from the bullet for a polished finish.
- Or tap it in with your finger for a softer stain effect.
Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk Oil
Carolyn was known to wear Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk Oil, a clean, intimate fragrance with soft musk undertones.
Unlike bold perfumes, Egyptian Musk sits close to the skin. It’s subtle, warm, and quietly captivating — much like her entire aesthetic.
It is still available through one source and one seller on Ebay. He produces a small quantity and sells it randomly throughout the year. If you are lucky enough to snag a bottle or two you will quickly understand why this scent is so special.
If you appreciate understated luxury, this scent embodies the spirit of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites perfectly.
Do not fall for dupes. They don’t come close to the real thing.
Victoria Beckham Beauty “The Foundation Drops”
Although she wasn’t one for heavy foundation, Carolyn favored natural, perfected skin. Victoria Beckham’s The Foundation Drops is a foundation that can give you her minimalist complexion routine.
Why it fits her aesthetic:
- Real-skin finish
- Lightweight texture
The Foundation Drops are a best seller for a reason and continue to be one of the easiest ways to achieve that polished, understated glow.
Apply sparingly and blend seamlessly into the jawline for that effortless effect.
CÔTE | Cosmos Nail Polish “Pink Opal”
Unfortunately, Carolyn’s favorite nail polish from Face Stockholm, Nail Polish #13, which was a sheer opal has long been discontinued.
Carolyn’s manicure was always immaculate yet subtle. She gravitated toward sheer pinks and refined neutrals.
For a similar look I recommend CÔTE | Cosmos Nail Polish in “Pink Opal” which mirrors that aesthetic perfectly. Delicate, feminine, and polished, it continues to be available and remains a bridal favorite for women who appreciate quiet elegance.
Face Stockholm Highlighters
Carolyn’s glow was never about shimmer—it was about soft, skin-like luminosity. One of her understated beauty favorites were the highlighters (Face Stockhom calls them ‘highliters’) in Dignity and Radiance from Face Stockholm. These shades added subtle light to the tops of the cheekbones and brow bones, creating a refined, natural radiance. Applied sparingly, they enhanced her complexion without ever feeling overdone, perfectly complementing her minimalist approach. For a modern take, use a small brush or fingertip to lightly tap the highlighter onto the high points of your face—just enough to catch the light and elevate your natural glow.
Bobbi Brown “Bone”
For eyes, Carolyn often reached for the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics eyeshadow in Bone. This soft, neutral shade brightens the eyelid while keeping the look clean and understated, perfectly aligned with her minimalist beauty philosophy. Bone adds subtle dimension without drawing attention away from the natural elegance of the face. Bobbi Brown still makes her long wear Eyeshadow Stick in the shade ‘Bone.’
MAC “Spice” & Her Signature Reds
When she wasn’t wearing Face Stockholm, Carolyn favored MAC Cosmetics Spice, a muted, cool-toned lip liner that gently defined the natural shape of the mouth. It provided structure without heaviness, creating that polished yet effortless finish she was known for. The MAC Spice lip liner of today is quite warm, however MAC just re-released Cool Spice which is the exact one that Carolyn and I used back in the 90’s. When she wanted a classic red, she often chose Russian Red, a cool-toned, blue-based lipstick that felt bold yet refined. For a slightly deeper, more dramatic moment, she was also known to wear the now-discontinued, limited-edition Russian Roulette. Even in red, her look remained intentional—never overdone, always timeless.
Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom
It’s widely said that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy used Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom. This lightweight styling cream to achieve her signature smooth, minimal hair. Silk Groom isn’t a heavy, glossy product — it’s subtle. It softens, reduces frizz, and gives the hair that refined, touchable finish without looking styled. Very Carolyn. She wasn’t about volume or overly done waves; her hair always looked clean, controlled, and quietly luxurious. A small amount worked through damp hair and either air-dried or blown out gives that same understated, polished result that feels timeless rather than trendy. You can still purchase Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom today.
C.O. Bigelow Charles Wahba Headband
Another small but memorable detail of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalist beauty aesthetic was the simple 1 3/8 Tokyo headband she reportedly purchased at C.O. Bigelow. It wasn’t ornate or embellished — just classic, practical, and unfussy. She used it to sweep her hair back in that effortless, clean way that became so synonymous with 90s elegance. What makes this detail so iconic is that it reflects her entire approach to beauty: understated, accessible, and intentional. The headband wasn’t about making a statement — it was about creating structure and polish without looking like she tried too hard. Even today, that simple accessory still feels modern because it embodies the kind of quiet sophistication that never dates. You can still purchase the Charles Wahba headband today (I’m linking to an Etsy shop that currently carries them, as C.O. Bigelow has removed them from their online store due to overwhelming demand.)
The Carolyn Beauty Philosophy
What stands out most about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites isn’t just the product list — it’s the philosophy behind them.
She embraced:
- Skin that looked like skin
- Lips with soft definition
- Fragrance that whispered, not shouted
- Neutral, polished details
- Sleek hair
- Classic and practical hair accessories
- A bright eye
Consequently, her look feels just as relevant today as it did in the 90s.
At Makeup by Kiley Smith, I often teach this same approach in my makeup lessons: elevate your natural features, refine your technique, and choose products intentionally.
Because true elegance never feels excessive.
How to Channel Carolyn’s Look Today
If watching Love Story inspires you to revisit 90s minimalism, here’s how to recreate her style:
- Start with luminous, even skin.
- Add a soft flush of blush.
- Line your lips with muted lip liner.
- Choose a refined berry, red, or neutral lip.
- Add a brightening eyeshadow to the mobile eyelid
- Add a hair accessory (optional)
- Sweep your hair back or keep it down but sleek and straight
- Keep nails sheer and polished.
- Finish with a subtle, skin-like fragrance.
The key is restraint.
And that is why Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy beauty favorites continue to inspire a new generation of women seeking timeless sophistication.
She was so very beautiful.
I agree!