Elvira Shares Her Timeless Beauty Routine from 1981 to Today
Cassandra Peterson Reveals Secrets Behind Iconic Elvira Glam
Cassandra Peterson, renowned for her portrayal of the campy cult figure Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, has shared insights into her captivating beauty routine.
"I do the Elvira glam all on my own," Peterson stated. "I go into a room and I am completely by myself. I don’t want anyone to talk to me. It takes time and I have to concentrate—it’s intense." She credits her best friend for creating her signature look back in 1981. "Over the years, I have tried to have other people do it, and it never comes out exactly the same," she explained. “Sometimes they’re much better than me, but I don’t want them to be better than me! I want it to be exactly the same, every time.”
Recently, she has incorporated MAC products into her makeup routine, particularly praising their eyeliner. "MAC eyeliner is one of the few eyeliners that doesn’t smear or smudge," Peterson noted, adding that she goes through "like a little bottle every time." The need for durable makeup is critical due to the hours spent in front of lights and wearing a wig, stating, “My makeup goes on once in the morning, and it has to be good and look exactly the same by nighttime.”
Though her everyday makeup takes only about ten minutes, going full Elvira requires a different commitment. “For Elvira, it’s an hour and a half of theatrical makeup. It’s total drag,” Peterson shared.
Peterson is also a fan of SkinCeuticals, which she considers her primary skincare brand, exclaiming, “Once you use them, you can’t go back—that is how good it is.” Additionally, she uses products from Trish McEvoy, highlighting their effectiveness in her routine.
The upcoming release of Elvira’s Cookbook From Hell promises a blend of amusing anecdotes and recipes that will appeal to both longstanding fans and culinary enthusiasts. "My friend Pamela Des Barres turned me on to the greatest lipstick from L’Oréal," Peterson said, emphasizing the importance of a particular shade of blue-red lipstick. “If you don’t have blue-red lipstick on, and you have very, very white makeup on, your teeth look really yellow.”
Peterson shared her approach to hair care with enthusiasm, citing some recent discoveries as life-changing. She mentioned products like the amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush and the Bio Ionic brush, claiming, “Honestly, my hair has never looked so good.” For styling, she recommends Color Wow Style on Steroids, which keeps her hair looking fresh for several days.
Reflecting on her long career, she fondly recalled how she first collaborated with makeup pioneer William Tuttle, known for his work on The Wizard of Oz. “He formulated a makeup for me called Elvira," Peterson recounted. "It was really thick and creamy and gooey."
As Peterson continues to embrace her legacy, she remains devoted to her iconic look, ensuring that the Elvira flair remains as captivating as ever.
