When I heard the news on Tuesday, August 25th, that Dolly Parton had passed away, it was a serious gut-punch feeling. I don’t ever feel any emotion about celebrities, really… until this one. There are few women who have taught us more about being unapologetically ourselves than Dolly Parton.
And as a 48-year-old makeup artist who truly loves the art of applying makeup, I think one of Dolly’s greatest gifts to us was reminding women that beauty was never supposed to be about following the rules. You’ll see in the photos today that I decided to go all out and wear pastel blue eyeshadow and fake lashes in honor of Dolly!
Key Takeaways
- Decide what makes you feel beautiful — then wear it on purpose. Dolly never wondered if her lashes were “too much.” She just went for it.
- Technique beats price tag. In her own words, almost any product works “if you know how to apply it.”
- Take the risk. Bold lash, bright lip, colorful shadow — makeup isn’t permanent, so there’s no reason not to play.
What Beauty Lessons Did Dolly Parton Teach Us?
That beauty has no age limit and no rulebook. Dolly wore the big lashes, the color, and the shimmer because they made her feel like herself — and she gave the rest of us permission to do the same, at any age.
Dolly Never Followed the Beauty Rules
Dolly never looked around the room and wondered if her hair was too big, her lashes were too much, or her makeup was too overdone. She simply decided what made her feel beautiful—and went for it on purpose. And I have to say, blue eyeshadow gets a bad rap these days, but after I finished this look, I felt really good and confident. Especially when my hubby said, “Wow, you look so glamorous for a Tuesday!” Ha ha!
She was also one of the reasons I learned to love my pair of dimples. We all know kids can be cruel without really understanding what they’re saying, and more times than once I got made fun of for the pair of “holes” in my cheeks as a little girl. But one thing that makes Dolly’s face appear so joyful, in my opinion, is her dimples!
My Dollywood Tribute
My daughter and I in front of her huge LOVE sign with pink sparkles behind it – so very Dolly. And then the picture of me and the kids inside her tour bus that she traveled in and customized from 2008 to 2022 that is now a staple on the Dollywood grounds. You can see my excitement being right there in her vanity room on the bus where she would do all her hair and makeup!
She famously said, “I’m no natural beauty. If I’m gonna have any looks at all, I’m going to have to create them. You don’t need to buy expensive cosmetics; almost anything will do if you know how to apply it.“
You Don’t Need Expensive Makeup — Just Technique
She famously said,
“I’m no natural beauty. If I’m gonna have any looks at all, I’m going to have to create them. You don’t need to buy expensive cosmetics; almost anything will do if you know how to apply it.”
As a makeup artist, I couldn’t agree more. Technique, or heck, just an attempt to add a little makeup or skincare, matters far more than having the most expensive items in a makeup bag.
I even shared a post recently on how to get an entire gorgeous glam face under $100 with only drugstore makeup here!
Also, here’s a funny IG Reel I made with audio from Dolly’s character, Truvy, in Steel Magnolias (the ultimate girl movie!). It speaks to the whole “no natural beauty “ thing!
SHOP THIS POST BELOW
Take the Makeup Risk
Dolly’s philosophy was never actually more makeup is better. It was more of whatever makes YOU feel like yourself. When asked about women like herself who wear as much makeup as she does, Dolly said, “If you wanna wear too much, do that.”
Amen, Dolly.
So take the risk.
- Always wanted a brighter lip? Wear it. Here are 6 summer lip colors I suggest you try.
- Want the colorful or smoky eye you think you’re “too old” for? Try it. A Fall Inspired Eye Look or How to Pull Off a Smokey Eye
- Happiest in just tinted moisturizer, mascara, and a little blush? That counts too — here’s aA Simple 5-Step Makeup Look.
Stop confusing “appropriate for your age” with “what makes you feel good.” If a bold lipstick makes you smile in the mirror, that’s a pretty good reason to wear it. If heavy foundation makes you uncomfortable, skip it. Don’t let someone else’s beauty rule decide it for you.
Channel Your Inner Dolly with the Buxom “Dolly” Lip
I hope you already own this lip gloss shade, but if you don’t, here’s one way to channel your inner Dolly. With the Buxom Cosmetics “Dolly” full on plumping lip polish, $25. It’s a pinky mauve shade (very wearable and universally flattering) with a bit of shimmer, and it’s literally the brands best selling shade. Pair it with their Power Liner in “Dolly Light $24, for extra oomph and fullness!
Did they actually name it after THE Dolly Parton? I haven’t gotten confirmation on that, but it’s an iconic shade that deserves the name in my eyes!
SHOP THIS POST BELOW
Be Brave Enough to Try
Dolly has also said,
“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”
That applies to far more than makeup—but I think it applies beautifully to beauty. Makeup looks are NOT permanent, so why not just play around with them and try new looks/products??
I have been to Dollywood, and I own the Dolly T-shirts, sweatshirts, earrings, coffee mugs, etc. Her image has become part of my own life because, to me, Dolly represents to me something much bigger than rhinestones and big hair. She represents kindness, hard work, generosity, faith, humor, giving more than you take, and the courage to become exactly who you want to be.
Your Dolly Beauty Challenge
So here’s my beauty challenge for you: channel a little Dolly into your daily routine.
Wear the lashes. I’m wearing a similar style from Eylure 031, $11.99, above. They’re great and lightweight with just enough volume!
Wear the pink lipstick or gloss, like the best seller, “Dolly” from Buxom. Wear the sparkly blush like I’m wearing from this Morphe trio for $19, which includes a cream, a powder, and a cream highlighter, all in one palette! I’m wearing the shade “Après Ski.”
Or wear absolutely nothing but moisturizer, SPF, and mascara. Did you know Dolly made her very own rhinestone-encrusted, water-resistant mascara, $20, btw, that gets very good reviews?! I’ll buy it just for the shiny packaging!
Just don’t let someone else decide what “too much” or even “too little” looks like for you.
Because maybe the best beauty rule of all is the one Dolly lived by: “I feel glamorous on the inside, so I want to look like it on the outside.”
SHOP THIS POST BELOW
The Rest of My Outfit Details
The rest of my outfit details: If you want your very own Dolly sweatshirt, I highly recommend searching on Etsy. Here are a few really cute ones I might add to my wardrobe: Y’all need Dolly, $28, I beg your Parton, $31, Queen Dolly, $21, In Dolly We Trust, $31, and Pour Yourself A Cup Of Ambition tee, $22. // I decided to try major curls this time, and they can easily be created with the ¾ barrel curling iron by Babyliss $69.99. // My pastel blue Dolly-inspired shadow was from this Revolution beauty “Sugar Pie” palette, $8. // My red chrome press on nails by impress, $11, bc Dolly loved her red nails!
Also, fun fact if you’ve made it this far in my article. I feel especially close to Dolly because my husband’s great-uncle, pastor Don Duvall, actually married Dolly and Carl Dean in Ringgold, GA, where he was a pastor! How cool is that?!
Closing Thoughts
Dolly gave us permission to become exactly who we want to be — on the inside and the outside. So wear the lash, wear the color, and let your beauty be entirely your own.
Shop the Post
Face & Cheeks
Eyes & Lashes
- Revolution “Sugar Pie” Palette $8
- Eylure 031 Lashes $11.99
- Dolly’s Rhinestone Water-Resistant Mascara $20
Lips
Hair & Nails
Dolly Sweatshirts & Tees (Etsy)
- “Y’all Need Dolly” $28 · “I Beg Your Parton” $31 · “Queen Dolly” $21 · “In Dolly We Trust” $31 · “Pour Yourself a Cup of Ambition” Tee,$22
Before You Go
Now I’d like to know: what is your favorite Dolly Parton song? I’ll go first. I truly love “9 to 5” for its upbeat tempo and empowering message, but “Here You Come Again” is just so catchy, and my own mother loved that song!
- 💌 Newsletter: Sign up for my free daily newsletter
- 📷 Follow along: @styleatacertainage
- 📺 Watch: Beth on YouTube
- 🛍 Shop: ShopMy storefront
LEAVE A COMMENT