The Wild Tricks Behind Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ Beauty Routine

For some, Jackie Kennedy Onassis has been a fashion icon for decades — even though it’s been more than half a century since she lived in the White House. Her timeless, chic style and flawless appearance still leave women in awe today. But what’s not so quite well known is that she had to resort to some pretty bizarre rituals to keep herself looking as good as she did.

Capturing the spotlight

People noticed Jackie as soon as she got in front of a camera, of course. When John F. Kennedy was campaigning for the presidency in 1960, Jackie Kennedy — who later became Jackie Onassis — was rarely far from his side. As culture magazine Life noted at the time, “The candidate’s striking wife, Jackie, who sticks close to her husband, has attracted almost as much attention as he has.”

Unusual beauty routines

Some women had already begun to look toward the immaculately-turned-out Jackie for style inspiration. Aged just 31 when her husband entered office, Jackie was younger than many of the notable first ladies before her. She was well educated, could talk effortlessly about the arts and fashion, and was proficient in multiple languages. But it was her iconic wardrobe and beauty that people clung to. Yet she didn’t just roll out of bed looking glamorous — she had to work at it. And some of her methods were fairly unusual.

Skin care regime

But there are aspects of Jackie’s style playbook that are attainable for her fans, even today. We know this because the former first lady paid regular visits to dermatologist Dr. Erno Laszlo. And it just so happened that, in 2020, Jackie's consultation notes were unearthed by the staff at the skin care experts’ New York office. They made for intriguing reading, too.

Bizarre advice

The documents are from a consultation Jackie had with Laszlo on May 1, 1963. And some of the instructions given to her may seem bizarre today. However, the advice was specific to the first lady and was based on her circumstances at that particular time. That means that Jackie’s skincare routine was tailored to her specific skin type.