Cher Has Never Been Afraid to Break the Rules

The word icon gets tossed around a lot these days, but if there’s someone truly worthy of the title, it’s Cher. The legendary singer and actor has been one of our premier entertainers since the ’60s, and has been considered a beauty icon for just as long. There’s no denying that her signature jet black hair and glittering eye makeup are just as influential as her pioneering use of Auto-Tune. 

We currently appreciate Cher’s beauty looks for her boldness and glamour, but that hasn’t always been the case. Cher claims that her makeup and outfits were misunderstood over the years and that people looked at Cher as crazy. The only place she felt understood was at MAC’s makeup counter.

“I’ve had a very, very long relationship with MAC,” Cher tells Glamour. “The first time I ever saw MAC, I just remember looking at everything because it’s a lot, it’s an eye-full. It was like a candy shop for makeup. I was also fascinated by the variety of colors, which was hard to find back then. I mean, I remember in the ’60s, I was making eye makeup on a double boiler. So, I guess for people who were into makeup, it was like paint by the numbers.”

It only makes sense that she’s partnered with the brand for a new campaign, alongside Gen Z icon Saweetie.  We caught up with Cher to discuss the campaign and have a round of ‘Cheers! Glamour’s Big Beauty Questions. Find out her must-have beauty products, her thoughts about beauty standards and why her mom will always inspire you. 

Glamour: What’s one beauty rule you swear by?

Cher: I don’t swear by any rules, because think that it cuts down on the creativity. My makeup was ridiculed by everyone when I first started. And I thought it was beautiful. When you think about rules, you can only limit your own thinking. I don’t think girls do today, because there’s such a wide range of what we now think of this beauty. Limitations don’t seem to go anymore.

Is there a beauty rule you believe is B.S.?

They are all, I believe. You want to know why? Because there should not be…when you’re trying to be creative, if you’re writing a song or you’re acting, or whatever, you don’t put rules on creativity. It doesn’t work.

What is the best beauty advice you’ve ever gotten? 

I didn’t get advice. I grew up with models and lived in a house that was full of them. Every day, I watched my mother and her friends apply makeup. They each had their own mirrors; they shared a space in the dining area, which didn’t have a table. Everyone would place their mirror so that they were facing the light and then apply their makeup. That’s basically how I started. Then, I did this thing I thought was beautiful. Unfortunately, it was not accepted at the moment. But sometimes you’re ahead of it. People were nervous about following certain rules when they first started. For example, if you were over a certain age, you would have to cut your hair and wear cotton leather shoes. I didn’t understand a lot of these bullshit rules.

How did you find the confidence to break the rules?

I didn’t know how not to. I didn’t think of them. I thought, “These things don’t apply for me.” Sonny and I looked insane to many people because we dressed differently. They didn’t like us. We were so different that they had a visceral reaction. You must go back and see our early photos, because no one else looked like us.

I’ve seen them. They’re iconic. Well, now you’re on every mood board. It just goes to show you knew everything.

Well, I didn’t always know. I tried.

Let’s say you can only use three beauty products for the rest of your life—what are they and why?

Well, that’s not going to happen. I need four, okay. If we’re going to continue this relationship, you need to give me four.

I will bend the rules for your benefit.

I need eyebrow pencil. Oh my God, I could use so many more. Okay, I need an eyelash curler, blush, eyebrow pencil, and lipstick. First, your eyebrows should frame your face. And my mom always said, “If you were on a desert island, make sure you have an eyelash curler.” I mean, lipstick I think is a necessity. Even if you blot your lipstick so it’s faint, you still need that color.

What’s your favorite way to take a moment for yourself?

I have very limited time. I enjoy reading audio books and practicing meditation. I do enjoy reading these books, but I also like to just sit down and listen. Although I used to read like a mad woman, I now enjoy being read to. The best book I’ve listened to lately is a book about Clementine Churchill. It just goes to show that without her, we would probably all be fluent in German.

What would you change about beauty standards?

I don’t feel there should be beauty standards. I just don’t like it. I can remember the really harsh ones. Richard Alleman [the actor], who I love, told me, “You’ll never be on the cover of Vogue,” And I said, “Well, why?” He said, “Because you have to have blonde hair and blue eyes. Blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Dark hair and blue eyes. If you have black hair and brown eyes, you’ll never be on the cover.” And then one day, I was. It was an accident.

Who are the women who inspire you most right now, and why? 

Well, I’m O.G. My mom still inspires me because she’s 95, and she’s still really beautiful. Because she has perfect skin and a mane, all my friends hate her. My mom has a mane and it’s ridiculous. We all just look at each other. She’s my go-to. You know what? I do think Saweetie’s beautiful. Her fingernails fascinated me. She is a beautiful young girl, and she is a positive person. I believe she would be an inspirational person for me.

This interview has been edited and condescend to ensure clarity.