Olivia Newton-John's most memorable beauty moments in Grease, as we remember the star's iconic role as Sandy
People around the world have reacted with heartbreak at the news that Olivia Newton-John has passed away at the age of 73, following a long journey with breast cancer.
The actor and singer was known for her music hits (the iconic Physical) and film career – most notably, of course, for Grease, which sent her firmly off to super-stardom alongside John Travolta in 1978.
Olivia's look as Sandy Olsson in Grease is still just as recognisable today as it was back then – there's no doubt Olivia Newton-John will be inspiring beauty looks forever more, be it as wholesome Sandra Dee or her spandex-clad alter ego come the end of the film. Tell me about it, stud.
Clearly, Olivia felt attached to the film throughout the rest of her career, since she attended a number of reunions alongside John Travolta, and regularly performed hits from Grease during her shows.
The actor and singer-songwriter passed away on August 8.
Sweetly, John referred to himself as "Your Danny", in a message to his friend and co-star after her passing. He wrote: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!"
Olivia Newton-John – an inspiration, talent, and of course, a beauty icon. From her blonde bombshell perm to signature schoolgirl fringe, we take a look back at her most iconic Grease beauty moments. We've got chills...
TM & Copyright © 2002 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.The bombshell blow-out
It's the look we all think of when we think of Olivia Newton-John as Sandy, despite the fact it only makes up for the final scenes of the film. Her teased-out curls were the stuff of dreams, and not unlike some of the voluminous styles we've returned to in recent years.
And, fun fact: no hair pieces were used to create the look. Olivia said in her autobiography, Don't Stop Believin': “Yes, that was all my own hair.”
LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock PhotoThe retro fringe
Could we see a return to Dame Olivia's 50s-inspired short-and-coiffed bangs in 2022? The oh-so-innocent Sandra Dee never saw a hair out of place, whether worn swept to the side or set forward. We reckon Olivia's fringe was styled with rollers, but we can't be sure.
LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock PhotoThe bold red lip and smokey eye
Sandy's bright and juicy lipstick was a far cry from the very natural, fresh-faced looks she wears throughout the rest of the film – oh, to know the shade name.
Olivia previously said that even her co-stars couldn't believe it was her when she first stepped out of hair and makeup as ‘bad Sandy’. “When I came out of the make-up trailer with the big hair and the tight clothes, nobody recognized me,” she told The Morning Call.
LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock PhotoThe half-up 'do
There were various iterations of Sandy's half-up styles throughout Grease, whether secured with a band or a pretty clip. In the famous prom scene, her blonde signature style is secured with a floral hairband, and that perfect fringe, of course.
LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock PhotoThe red nails
Short red nails, forever! The bombshell Sandy look is not complete without the matching lips and nails.
CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesThe fresh-faced skin
Olivia Newton-John's wholesome look was amped up throughout Grease (until the end, of course), and that no-makeup look was achieved with soft blush and minimal makeup, no doubt. Olivia also revealed that she was given honey face masks behind-the-scenes to keep her skin looking fresh.
“My makeup artist Connie Ortega… would give me honey masks in the morning before putting on my makeup to give that pure, good girl, dewy look,” she wrote in her 2019 book.
She also added that Grease was filmed during a heatwave, meaning that sometimes her glow came naturally. “Sandy's dewy glow wasn't just the result of that first flush of love or make-up, but was also created partly by sweltering interior temperatures that shot past the hundred-degree mark,” she joked.
CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesThe perky ponytail
Nothing says Sandy as a cheerleader more than her silky, high ponytail, secured with a red ribbon. It's also the backdrop to her iconic line: “You're a fake and a phoney and I wish I never laid eyes on you!”
Rest in peace, Olivia Newton-John.
