Princess Aurora has always been the odd one out in the Disney lineup. She’s only on screen for about 18 minutes in the 1959 original, and most of that time she's, well, asleep. But that "Sleeping Beauty" aesthetic? It’s legendary. It’s also incredibly difficult to get right because modern makeup trends usually lean into heavy contouring and blinding highlighters, which is basically the opposite of what Aurora is all about. If you’re trying to master disney princess aurora makeup, you have to stop thinking about 2024 Instagram trends and start thinking about 1950s animation cells and Mid-century beauty standards.
Eyebrows were the soul of the character. Seriously. Marc Davis, the legendary animator behind Aurora, gave her these remarkably expressive, dark, structured brows that were a total departure from the thin, high-arched brows of Cinderella or Snow White. If your brows aren't on point, the whole look falls apart. It’s not about "fluffy" brows; it’s about a very specific, elegant sweep.
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The Secret Palette of the 1959 Original
Most people assume Aurora is just "pink." Pink dress, pink lips, pink cheeks. But if you actually look at the film—especially the 4K restoration—the color theory is way more complex. The background artists, led by Eyvind Earle, used a lot of medieval-inspired tapestries and sharp, angular shapes. To make Aurora stand out, the animators gave her a skin tone that was almost luminous but matte. It’s a "porcelain" finish, but not in a ghostly way.
To nail the base for your disney princess aurora makeup, you need a soft matte foundation. Skip the "dewy" look. In the fifties, shine was seen as oiliness, not "glow." You want something that blurs the pores completely. I usually recommend something like the Estée Lauder Double Wear or a lighter version like the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. It’s about that airbrushed, velvet texture. You aren't trying to look like a real human with skin texture; you're trying to look like hand-painted cel animation.
The blush is where it gets tricky. It’s not placed on the apples of the cheeks like a "clean girl" aesthetic. Instead, it’s a soft wash of coral-pink that follows the cheekbone, blending upward toward the temple. It’s subtle. If someone notices your blush first, you’ve put on too much. It should look like you just woke up from a century-long nap with perfect circulation. Honestly, the NARS Orgasm or a similar peachy-pink is too sparkly for this. You want a flat matte powder blush.
Why the Eyes Are More Than Just Eyeliner
Aurora’s eyes are unique because they have a slight "almond" tilt. To recreate this, the eyeliner shouldn't be a thick wing. It’s a very thin, black line right against the lash line that slightly flickers out at the very end. It’s a feline look, but incredibly soft.
The eyeshadow is almost non-existent in the film, but if you look closely, there’s a wash of cool-toned beige or a very light mauve on the lids. This creates depth without looking like "makeup."
- Base: A matte cream shade from the inner corner to the brow bone.
- Crease: A soft, cool brown to define the socket—nothing sparkly.
- Lash Line: A dark brown or black gel liner, smudged just a tiny bit so it doesn't look harsh.
- Mascara: Focus on the outer corners. You want that "doe-eyed" look, so skip the heavy volume and go for length and separation.
I’ve seen people try to add gold glitter or heavy cut creases to this look. Don't. It kills the "woodland briar rose" vibe. Aurora is supposed to be natural beauty personified (literally, she was gifted beauty by a fairy). The moment it looks like you spent three hours on your eyeshadow, the illusion of the "Disney Princess" breaks.
The "Make It Pink, Make It Blue" Lip Debate
The lip color is the most debated part of the disney princess aurora makeup routine. In the "Once Upon a Dream" sequence, her lips look like a dusty rose. In the forest, they look more like a warm berry. To get the most authentic version, you’re looking for a "your lips but better" shade with a satin finish.
Modern liquid lipsticks are often too dry for this. You want a traditional bullet lipstick. Think of something like Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk, but maybe a hair more pigmented. Or, if you want to be historically accurate to the era the film was released, look for a mid-century "rose" shade. Bésame Cosmetics actually specializes in these vintage colors and they've done Disney collaborations in the past that are incredibly color-accurate.
Apply the lipstick and then blot it with a tissue. Then apply another layer. This "stains" the lips and gives them that soft-focus edge seen in the animation. No sharp lip liner lines here—everything should look soft and "pillowy."
Briar Rose vs. Princess Aurora: The Subtle Shift
There are actually two versions of this look you can go for. There’s the "Briar Rose" (the peasant girl in the woods) and the "Princess Aurora" (the royal reveal).
The Briar Rose look is even more stripped back. The brows are the focus, and the skin is very natural. The Princess version usually involves a slightly more defined eye and a deeper lip to compete with the crown and the more formal gowns. If you’re wearing the blue dress, go for a cooler-toned pink lip. If you’re in the pink dress, a warmer coral-pink works better. It’s all about color harmony.
People forget that Aurora's hair also frames the makeup. That massive, 1950s-style "hair flip" at the bottom and the structured bangs create shadows on the face. If you have flat hair, the makeup can look a bit "flat" too. You need that volume to balance out the soft matte finish of the skin.
Technical Tips for Longevity
If you're doing this for cosplay or a long event, you have to deal with the "matte" problem. Matte makeup can cake.
- Hydrate first: Use a heavy moisturizer 10 minutes before foundation.
- Prime: Use a pore-filling primer, especially around the nose.
- Set with intent: Use a loose translucent powder, but only on the T-zone. Leave the cheeks slightly more natural so the blush doesn't look like chalk.
- Seal it: A setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter is a lifesaver, but make sure it’s a "natural finish" spray, not a "dewy" one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most "Aurora" tutorials on TikTok go way too heavy on the highlighter. In 1959, the concept of "strobing" didn't exist. If you put a bunch of shimmer on your cheekbones, you'll look more like a modern influencer than a mid-century princess. Keep the shine limited to the center of the lower lip—that’s it.
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Another mistake is the lashes. Huge, heavy "mink" style lashes will weigh down the eye and hide the delicate liner work. Opt for "half lashes" or individual clusters on the outer corners. It keeps the eye looking "lifted" and awake—ironic for a character known for sleeping.
Finally, don't over-contour. Aurora’s face shape is very soft and oval. If you carve out your cheekbones with heavy cool-toned contour, you’ll end up looking more like Maleficent than Aurora. (Which is a great look, but not the goal here). Use a warm bronzer very sparingly just to add a bit of dimension to the forehead and jawline.
Actionable Steps for the Perfect Finish
To get started on your disney princess aurora makeup, begin with the brows. They dictate the geometry of the entire face. Use a stiff brow pomade or a very sharp pencil to create that "long," elegant arch that tapers off into a fine point. Once the brows are set, work on your skin's "velvet" texture.
Find a lip shade that mimics a natural flush. A good trick is to pinch your fingertip and look at the color—that’s the shade of pink you should be aiming for. If the lipstick feels too heavy, pat it on with your finger instead of applying it directly from the tube. This gives that "just bitten" look that defines the woodland version of the character.
Focus on the silhouette of the face. If you have a rounder face, use your blush to create a slight upward lift. If you have a longer face, keep the blush more horizontal. This customization makes the "cartoon" look work on a "real" human face without looking like a costume.
End your routine by checking your makeup in natural light. Animation is all about clarity. If your makeup looks "muddy" or "gray" in the sun, you’ve used too much contour or the wrong shade of cool-toned shadow. Everything should be clear, bright, and romantic. Keep it soft, keep it matte, and remember: the brows are everything.