On the red carpet of the Breakthrough Prize 2026 in New York, the flashes caught something other than Gigi Hadid’s dress. Her nude complexion was flawless, but it was her perfectly defined lips that caught all the eyes.
With each appearance, the American model dictates a new beauty desire, and this evening is no exception. With her makeup artist Patrick Ta, she puts the vintage mouth at the center of the game, designed to sculpt Cupid’s bow and instantly structure the face.
Gigi Hadid and Patrick Ta, the duo who are relaunching the vintage mouth
For this look, Gigi Hadid wears very soft nude makeup, with the mouth becoming the focal point. Patrick Ta summarizes his technique in Vogue: , explains Patrick Ta in Vogue.
The vintage mouth is then played out in the line: a clear contour, centered on a Cupid’s bow drawn in the shape of a heart, which gives relief to the middle of the face while remaining in harmony with the rest of the makeup.
Vintage mouth: Cupid’s bow, a retro detail that has become a star again
This precise drawing of Cupid’s bow refers to the icons of the 1920s. Clara Bow popularized these heart-shaped lips, followed by Marilyn Monroe, who used them to intensify her smile and reinforce the graphic side of her black and white portraits.
Long considered a has-been compared to blurred lips, this aesthetic is now making a notable comeback. The clean contour rebalances the symmetry, gives presence to the mouth and creates a sculpting effect, especially when the complexion remains light and the eyes light.
How to recreate Gigi Hadid’s vintage lip at home
To get inspired, we start with the color, taking up Patrick Ta’s idea: choose a lipstick four to five tones deeper than the natural shade, matching the blush to keep a coherent look.
On hydrated lips, a pencil close to the natural color precisely redraws the Cupid’s bow, lightly marking the central V then the corners. We then fill in the mouth, keeping the outline clear and blending the center a little to soften the volume.
What is a vintage mouth in makeup?
It is a lip makeup focused on a well-defined Cupid’s bow, a clear contour and a shade slightly deeper than the natural color.
Why does Gigi Hadid’s vintage mouth structure the face?
Because the precise outline visually refocuses attention on the middle of the face, creates symmetry and restores relief to the lower face.
How to choose the ideal color for a vintage mouth?
Using Patrick Ta’s tip: opt for a shade four to five tones deeper than your lips, coordinated with the blush to maintain a harmonious finish.
