If you ask Midge Maisel (played by Rachel Brosnahan) what it takes to be her, she'd probably say gumption — and maybe a really good brisket recipe. But if you're asking in reference to a Halloween costume, the list will look different... and probably cost you less than a pricey cut of beef.
As far as costumes go, Midge lives somewhere on the easier side of the spectrum. While being the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel character IRL would include polished punchlines and an Upper West Side apartment, going as the budding comedian for Halloween requires nothing but a few beauty essentials to get the point across.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Midge Maisel may not really care what people think, but that doesn't mean her beauty routine is an afterthought. In fact, some of her signatures — red lips, red nails, and a brunette bob — are her most distinctive characteristics. She's a solo star on the rise, but she's still a young woman in the late '50s who regularly spends her time getting her hair permed in the salon. In other words, it's kind of impossible to be Midge without her usual regimen.Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick
It wasn't uncommon for women to wear red lipstick in the '50s and '60s, and those who did naturally attracted more attention. That makes sense for Midge: After all, her new career focuses on her being in the spotlight, so what better way to ensure she steals all of it than rocking a color as bold as YSL's Le Rouge?
Makeup department head and designer for the show Patricia Regan told Makeup-Artist Magazine that her go-to lipsticks while making up Brosnahan on set are exclusively from YSL. She credits the intense pigments and flattering range of red shades as the reasons why the brand has become a must-have on set.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick, $, available at SephoraImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Chanel Le Vernis
Have you ever seen Midge without painted nails? Probably not — and, naturally, she matches her manicure color to her lipstick. Although Regan has yet to reveal the exact shade she prefers for Brosnahan, Chanel Rouge Puissant is a favorite among pros today, including Olive & June founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle, who favors the polish for its sexy and elegant twist on the traditional red.
Chanel Le Vernis, $, available at ChanelImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Kalyss Short Finger Wave Synthetic Hair Wig
Jerry DeCarlo, hair department head for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, tells Refinery29 that, for the most part, frequent hairstyle changes weren't on the menu in the '50s. "Women in that time didn't change their hair on a daily basis," DeCarlo says. "They had it washed at a salon, or would do a clean curl set and brush it out at home. [On the show] we keep it pretty much the same."
Save yourself the time in the salon and skip the real perm for an affordable wig from Amazon. If you already have a bob haircut, consider mastering the art of finger waves to achieve Midge's signature look.
Kalyss Short Finger Wave Synthetic Hair Wig, $, available at AmazonImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Nothing's scarier than a last-minute costume scramble. Click on over to Spooky Town now and shop our editors' curated collection of Halloween outfits and accessories. We even included some tasty treats!
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