Elvis Impersonators have been doing it for years—copying the King of Rock ‘n Roll’s signature looks. Now you can steal some of his style but make it work for you. Read on.
Did you know Elvis was a natural blonde? He dyed his dirty blonde hair black, rumor has it because he admired Tony Curtis. But his signature pompadour was all his own. Kristen Stewart is a modern-day starlet who has rocked this look, and you can too. How to get the slick pompadour to work for you? Start with a little bit of gel on the sides, sweeping it upward. Put a little volume on top by either doing some light teasing or by using the gel to build in some lift. Be careful not to over-gel!
Part Cherokee Indian, Elvis definitely liked the look of a tan. But he didn’t like to sweat in the sun, so he supposedly used tanning lamps. EndlessBeauty.com does not recommend that at all! This may be why Elvis later needed two facelifts … you can achieve a bronzed look without the sun, read our article for pro tips on faking your tan.
Elvis was also one of the trendsetters of Aviator sunglasses—some would say the instigator of the whole thing. Since aviators are back in a big way, go ahead and sport your pair. They’ll protect your eyes from the sun (they can get sunburned!) while giving you the rockabilly vibe.
For makeup looks, you might have to steal the pinup style of the women Elvis dated--like models Linda Hamilton and Cybill Shepard. Think bold red lips, clean cat-eyes, and flawless skin. Check out our pinup girl video tutorial here.
Known for studded or glittery jumpsuits on stage, Elvis also liked to wear scarves and capes, which is the style you can definitely borrow. You can even rock his signature studs on a wrap or scarf, the look won’t overpower you when used as an accessory. Scarves and capes make excellent embellishments for simple outfits, so try one on!
We DON’T mean that infamous peanut butter and banana sandwich. Before his weight spiraled out of control, Elvis enjoyed foods that are good for you!
Elvis loved meatloaf—a food you can easily make healthy by skipping the breadcrumbs and including extra veggies like onions and green peppers. Elvis, a Memphis resident, also frequently dined on the city’s legendary barbecue (he liked Jim Neely's Interstate Bar-B-Que), which includes beef and pork ribs, chopped beef, chopped pork, pork sausage, and cole slaw, usually smothered in a sugary barbecue sauce. Skip the barbecue sauce and you’ve got a good source of protein; see if you can get some cole slaw without mayo (many places serve it with a vinaigrette) and you’ll get delicious seasoned cabbage.
One thing you should avoid? Overeating. Most experts say that was Elvis’ downfall. Even a cheeseburger can be healthy in moderation, but he claimed he could eat eight, with three milkshakes to wash it down. That’s crazy!
The King's number one asset: his confidence. Embrace yours and you'll get his effortless cool in no time.
Elvis Presley, an American legend, died on August 16, 1977, of a drug overdose. At the time, he was clinically obese. For the entire month of August, EndlessBeauty.com will be featuring stories with the theme ‘Elvis Month: Alcohol & Obesity Awareness.’ We’re bringing you potentially life-changing stories on the health risks behind alcohol use and obesity, and some lighter fare too. Stay tuned all month for Elvis Awareness Month!
