Paying homage the world's most iconic beauty looks and the women that created them 

In keeping with my rather low-brow taste in literature, I recently inhaled Rod Stewart’s autobiography, cryptically entitled, Rod: The Autobiography on holiday. Rod has lived a rather charmed life, helped not least by his insane virility and keen knack for luring a generation's worth of slashies to his arm. His bedposts must be notched down to the nub, if you'll pardon the expression.  

Perhaps the most beautiful of them all though, is Bond-girl Britt Ekland before she became a Bond girl, whom he refers to as ‘the world’s most beautiful woman’ about 17 times in his book. But, you know what? I think old Rod has a point. 60s Britt had it all. Everything. Two perfectly symmetrical ellipses for eyes, the sort of sand-blown be-freckled skin that speaks of seaside naughtiness and sailing trips around the Cote d’Azur. 

In fact, what strikes me about 60s Britt is how similar she is in appearance to that other 60s icon of untapped insouciance, Jean Birkin. And yet, it quickly becomes clear  that Britt has actually got the edge over her. What Jean lacks is a stirring inner confidence, a hidden but absolute understanding of her physical prowess, her genetically impossible beauty and her ownership of it. Jean slunk around like gawky calf, all satellite-dish eyes and French pouty lips. Britt, however, in manifest of her no-nonsense Swedish sensibilities, is a wildebeest of sexuality. 

"Britt, in manifest of her no-nonsense Swedish sensibilities, is a wildebeest of sexuality"

And, fortuitiously, her generous facial features were perfectly matched with the beauty blueprint of the times: defined, languidly lined eyes, an assemblage of taupes, caramels and earthy neutrals and nothing but nude lips. It’s a make-up code we still find ourselves deferring to now, such is its ability to flatter, enhance and empower – it offers drama for the face but without any of the drama of application.

Brows are arched high but never stamped on with crayon. In fact a scouse brow on this occasion would crush the essence of the 60s Britt look to pieces. Then, the most simplistic of eye contouring: a sweep of warm, russet brown powder across the socket line and an generous swipe of liquid liner to wide and tilt the eyes. For the sake of authenticity, I printed fake lashes on my lower lash line with the same liquid liner, omitting mascara completely, elaborate, yes, but this pushes the look back firmly into the bosom of the 60s where it belongs. It's easy as pie, takes seven minutes exactly and I adore it. 

The clever thing about this sort of make-up though is that it requires you to really dissect the face to detect its existence at all. It doesn’t wear you. It certainly didn’t wear Britt. And it locked her into the hallowed canon of ‘world’s most beautiful women’ forever more. That’s 18 mentions. 

1. Lancome Le Crayon Sourcils in 020 Chatain, £16
2. Bobbi Brown Blush in Nude Peach, £19 at Selfridges
3. Rimmel London Scandaleyes Precision Micro Eyeliner, £5.49 at Boots
4. Guerlain Terra Ora Sculpting Powder, £45 at Debenhams
5. Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector in 06 Rosewood Shimmer, £17 at House of Fraser

Photography: Hugo Yangüela