Gal Gadot has acknowledged in previous interviews that she didn’t fully embrace the ’80s fashion in Wonder Woman 1984. However, her makeup in the film perfectly captures the essence of that iconic decade, thanks to the inspiration taken from supermodel Cindy Crawford. According to Gal Gadot’s makeup artist, Sarah Brock, the bold and dramatic makeup looks seen in the movie pay homage to the ’80s trend, while also reflecting the golden and glamorous image of supermodels like Cindy Crawford.
In Wonder Woman 1984, Gal Gadot can be seen sporting vibrant 80s-era makeup, along with sleek ponytails and side-swept, curly hairstyles. To create these looks, Sarah Brock studied various magazine covers and cosmetics ads featuring Cindy Crawford during the height of her career. The September 1988 issue of Cosmopolitan, a Revlon ad from the same year, and a Vogue cover from 1986 were among the references that guided Brock’s creative process.
Brock not only focused on the visual aesthetics but also delved into the popular beauty trends, brands, and skincare ingredients of the ’80s. This thorough research helped her achieve an authentic look that would reflect how the skin would have been prepped for makeup during that era.
The collaboration between Brock, director Patty Jenkins, and Gal Gadot allowed them to align their visions perfectly. The goal was to maintain Wonder Woman’s Amazonian goddess image while incorporating the nostalgic ’80s vibe that the character demanded.
As the film neared its conclusion and Diana donned the magnificent golden armor, Brock made the decision to go for a more subdued face makeup, while emphasizing the eyes to match the intensity of the costume. She believed that a less pronounced eyeliner would have been overshadowed by the dazzling gold outfit.
The filming process lasted for approximately eight months, taking place in three distinct locations: London, Washington, DC, and Fuerteventura. This posed a significant challenge for Brock, as she had to ensure the consistency of the makeup looks while also accounting for the diverse weather conditions of each location.
London experienced various weather conditions, while Washington, DC was plagued by intense humidity. On the other hand, Fuerteventura was notoriously hot and even had sandstorms to contend with. Each climate presented its own set of difficulties for makeup application. Consequently, even if they were trying to recreate the same makeup look in a different country, the team had to adapt their techniques to suit the challenges posed by the particular environment.
Ultimately, it was not Wonder Woman’s superpowers that held everything together. Instead, it was the reliable and skilled hair and makeup team who ensured that everything stayed in place, despite the demanding conditions they faced.
