Journal

Girls on film: Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon

Girls on film: Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon

Summer in the city is in full swing and here at Glasshouse we’re daydreaming about turquoise waters and sandy beaches. So it’s no wonder that the cult desert-island classic The Blue Lagoon is ticking all our aesthetic boxes right now, as is it’s star Brooke Shields and her waist-length cascade of brunette locks.

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Image: Screen Musings

Released in 1980, Blue Lagoon is set in the Victorian era and follows Emmeline Lestrange, played by a (controversially) 14 year old Shields, and her cousin Richard who are shipwrecked onto a tropical paradise island in the South Pacific. The only other survivor from the ship soon dies, leaving them to fend for themselves amidst the lush landscape of the island.

Years pass and the pair grow up, living their life outside society and outside any proper rules. The two fall in love and Emmeline becomes pregnant, and all the while they’re both struggling to comprehend the changes they are going through as puberty hits. We’re fans of a tale of nature running its course as well as an equally au naturel hair and wardrobe look from both of the lead characters.

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Image: Screen Musings

Google automatically adds “hair” when you type in Brooke Shields + Blue Lagoon, so we know we’re not the only ones obsessing; rarely parted straight (would you be fussed if you lived on a desert island?) the untouched cowlicks and varying texture throughout her hair are youthful and a little bit wild, just like her character Emmeline. We’re definitely fans of long hair, and although perhaps slightly impractical for the real world, Brooke’s pre-Raphaelite mane is perfect for island-life and was apparently even glued in place so she could wear it as a top (however we’d recommend steering clear of a glue-stick).

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Image: Tumblr

Hair aside, Brooke’s fresh-faced look is top of our list for summer beauty inspiration - bronzed skin, soft peachy lips and those signature full brows. We’re all about a full-body glow, try Jane Iredale’s self tanning cream for a bronzed look that doesn’t rely on the (changeable) weather. We love Ilia Beauty’s Lipstick in Funnel of Love for a peach pout, and swear by Jane Iredale Brow Gel for fluffy Brooke-brows. Top this all off with a floaty white cotton dress or shirt, and you’ve got the whole look down pat!

Image: Tumblr
Image: Pinterest

We love seeing this snapshot of one of the most recognisable faces from the eighties and nineties near the start of her acting career. Brooke’s first few acting roles were controversial to say the least - she played a prostitute at age 12, was 14 in The Blue Lagoon and 15 when she starred in the R-Rated Endless Love. Despite these saucy beginnings in the industry, she has a reputation for being warm and down-to-earth and at age 51 is still an absolute icon. The Blue Lagoon’s aesthetic is especially relevant right now as many people (ourselves included) are favouring a natural, back-to-basics approach to beauty and hey, who hasn’t dreamed of escaping to a desert island paradise?

Image: Studded Hearts
Image: Studded Hearts

Words: Rosie Herdman

Cover Image: Studded Hearts