When we’re feeling sad, we usually turn to rom-coms to make us feel that little bit better.

From John Hughes’s peachy teenage dream, Molly Ringwald, to Queen of the romantic comedy, Ms. Julia Roberts (who features in two of our favourites), we round up our favourite lovers, paramours and proud singles and glean their best beauty moments. Because what’s better than beauty, a block of chocolate and a little Hollywood mush? Nothing, really.

So to the ladies who made us laugh, love and cry, we salute you, and your iconic beauty looks. Now be mine, Julia, Meg and Molly.

Vivian Ward, Pretty Woman
If there was one romantic comedy character who reigned above the rest, it would be Julia Roberts’ Vivian Ward. Firmly etched into our rom-com-sciousness, Ward’s fairytale-like transformation from call girl to class act remains filmic folklore, with Pretty Woman one of the greatest rom-coms of all time. Follow Vivian’s lead with strong arched brows, cascading curls and a slick of scarlet (just the thing to frame those pearly whites). Cinder-f*ckin-rella? You bet.

Vivian’s Perfect partner:

rouge coco flash in 148 – lively  chanel. shop now

Dionne Davenport, Clueless 
Step aside Cher Horowitz, Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash) is the real beauty queen in town (read: Beverly Hills). Cher’s closest friend and confidante oozed high-octane glamour and was a beauty force to be reckoned with. While her makeup moments were many (and we mean many), a glossy red lip is like, you know, totally cute, duh.

rom-coms dionne clueless
Dionne’s perfect partner:

dionne rom-coms clueless
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss, $43. shop now

Kat Stratford, 10 Things I Hate About You
When Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona took the mic and sang “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” to a peeved Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) – we melted. Truly. The whip-smart teenage rom-com – a modern day play on The Taming Of The Shrew – made a bold statement about teenage love, but a minimalist one about beauty. Kat’s pared-back hair and makeup of was the decade; natural curls, loose tendrils and a peach lip. All hail ’90s minimalism (and one of the best love stories of all time).

Kat’s Perfect partner:

The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath, $29.50. shop now

Stella Payne, How Stella Got Her Groove Back
The seemingly ageless and eternally-flawless Angela Bassett played successful stockbroker and single mum, Stella Payne, who was whisked away to Jamaica with her best friend for a much-needed holiday. Here, a romance blossomed with a man 20 years her junior, and the rest, as they say, is history. While Bassett’s beauty clearly needs no embellishment and proved the ultimate canvas for undone, island-ready beauty, the film does lend itself to a little ’90s makeup: a brown lip and super smoked eye. Girl definitely got her groove back with this look.

stella’s perfect partner:

Dior beauty ROUGE DIOR ULTRA CARE LIQUID in 736 nude, $56. shop now

Anna Scott, Notting Hill
Like Julia Roberts, Anna Scott was America’s Golden Girl, lighting up the big screen with that bouncy blow-wave, sparkle in her eye and that smile – sweeping, sparkling and very white. Follow her textbook beauty look by injecting some poof into your crown with a root booster, dust cocoa eyeshadow across lids and (try) to recreate those lips; Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat is your best bet. She is after all, just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to lover her. Sigh.

Anna’s Perfect partner: 

lancôme LA VIE EST BELLE L’ÉCLAT, $162. shop now

Sally Albright, When Harry Met Sally
Like Julia, Meg, too, is the queen of the rom-com, with When Harry Met Sally an icon. Ryan’s quirky and cute Sally Albright is one of the pre-eminent characters of cinematic history, with her 80s makeup and hair equally iconic. Those big flicked curls, blue eyeshadow and strong blush all redolent of the era. And with 80s beauty staging its comeback, we’ll have what she’s having.

Sally’s Perfect partner:

TOO FACED Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush, $48. shop now

Andie Anderson, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
That lemon dress, soft up ‘do, juicy pink lip; Kate Hudson’s Andie Anderson was magic. Perennially glowy, take heed of Andie’s beauty cues and slather on some tanning mousse, get the highlighter out and have the gloss on standby. And you never know, Mr. McConaughey might fall head over heels for us, too.

Andie’s Perfect partner:

Silver Lady “Love” Fern, $10. shop now

Astrid Leong, Crazy Rich Asians 
For Singaporean socialite, Astrid Leong (played by Gemma Chan), beauty is paramount. Referred to as “The Goddess”, Leong is well-known for her impeccable beauty and fashion sense, thus a diligent skincare regime is a must. And what’s more glow-giving than Rationale’s Essential Six?

crazy rich asians rom coms
Astrid’s Perfect partner:

ratioanle Immunologist Serum, $174. shop now

Iris, The Holiday
The beautifully endearing Iris may be unlucky in love (until she finds Jack Black’s Miles), but she’s not in the beauty stakes. Winslet’s Iris makes a case for simple refinement; fresh skin, a creamy pink lip and natural, undone hair. Just lovely.

Iris’ Perfect partner:

Davines Love Trio Pack, $109. shop now 

Andie Walsh, pretty in pink
Long before the Hadids and Jenners, Andie Walsh was the original ‘it’ girl. Ringwald’s Andie became somewhat of a pin-up; a cult character whose fashion and beauty notes were mimicked for years. Riff Andie’s signature look with a red rinse and pink-hued beauty (of course), and you’ll be pretty in pink in no time.

Andie’s Perfect partner:
pink hair rom coms
l’oreal COLORISTA Semi-Permanent Hair Color in pastel pink, $16.45. shop now

Juliet, Love Actually
The beautifully ethereal Juliet was just lovely. Love Actually’s classic English rose had equally rosy beauty notes; soft rouge, groomed brows and a salmon lip stain. Juliet, you are perfect to us too.

Juliet’s Perfect partner:


benefit cosmetics gimme more brow!, $43. shop now

Lucy Whitmore, 50 First Dates
With that classic Barrymore charm, we all fell in love with Lucy. Her beachy, relaxed look captured this perfectly with saccharine accents and scrunchy, salty waves. Evoke Drew’s Lucy with a glossy lip, radiant tinted moisturiser and sea salt spray. Waking up looking like this 50 times over is just fine with us.



Lucy’s Perfect partner:

rom com beauty evo
evo Salty Dog Salt Spray, $25.50. shop now

Helen Harris, Bridesmaids
With that meticulous blow-wave, strategic rouge and fluttery lash, Helen was the quintessential Little Miss Perfect. An ode to our own homegrown Rose (Byrne), sometimes we all need a little primp and preen from time to time.

Helen’s Perfect partner:
rom com champagne
PERRIER-JOUËT BLANC DE BLANCS champagne. Shop now