How To Get Joan Holloway's Sexy Look

It's no wonder Esquire named actress Christina Hendricks the Sexiest Woman Alive earlier this year. Her pinup style is smoking hot, whether she's off-screen or playing the role of Mad Men's sexy secretary Joan Holloway. With the return of the series just around the corner, try your hand at her retro makeup and style that men love:

Style

The secret to nabbing Joan Holloway's style? Showing off your curves without showing too much skin. Mix and match these pieces to get her trademark sexy secretary style:

1. Little red dress: You're likely to already have a little black dress in your closet, but if you're channeling your inner Joan, don't be afraid to stand out a little with some color. A signature little red dress won't offer the same versatility as a black one—it may not be a great option at the office if you don't happen to work at Sterling Cooper—but as a head-turning option for a date, a curve-hugging frock in a bold red is hard to beat. Our favorite online retailer for retro dresses: pinupgirlclothing.com—it's a one-stop-shop for for '50s and '60s dresses and accessories that stay true to the era without looking costumey.

2. Pumps: A few pairs of heels can go a long way. Stash your shoe rack with classic pumps in basic black, brown (if it suits your wardrobe's palette), light beige (if you're fair-skinned), and red, and you'll never frantically rummage through your heel collection in search of the right shoe for an outfit again. And if you wear a lot of black, consider adding color: go bold with a pair of Mary Jane pumps in bright blue or pink.

3. Pencil skirt: A hip-hugging pencil skirt is a must-have for a Mad Men-inspired wardrobe. Make sure the hemline hits you at the knee—too short and it loses that retro appeal; too long and it starts to look frumpy.

4. V-neck sweater: Take your pencil skirt from business to bar with a clingy, soft sweater. It's all in the fit, so think thin cashmere, not itchy wool. A V-neck keeps the look fresh and flirty: stick to this cut especially if you're busty. When you don't have a wardrobe team fitting your clothes to your specific measurements, a boatneck or crewneck sweater can really ride the line between Joan Holloway-esque and your elderly great aunt Joan.

5. Brooch: A little bling goes a long way. Brooches aren't just for your grandmother anymore: if you're going through the effort to incorporate sexy '60s style into your wardrobe, accessorize the part, too. Ditch the faux pearls, which can look a little too precious or like a costume when paired with a retro outfit, and wear your jewelry right on your outfit instead. Hit up a local vintage store or market and pick up a few cheap options to mix and match against dresses and form-fitting sweaters.

Makeup

Joan's sexy retro makeup is all in the porcelain skin, flirty lashes, and perfect pout. Here's how to get it:

1. Start with the right foundation: Whether your natural skin tone is peaches-and-cream like Christina Hendricks or darker. Primer, like Smashbox Photo Finish, will create the perfect canvas for foundation application, filling in fine lines and pores for a picture-perfect finish. Follow up with a foundation that matches your skin tone. We love Revlon Photo Ready.

2. Get some color: Skip the liquid blush and use powder for a matte look. A little will go a long way, but if you overdo it, swirl on some loose powder to subdue the color. NARS Blush masters the natural pink undertone in a range of their translucent shades, from Orgasm (and Super Orgasm!) to Desire.

3. The eyes have it: From the defined arch of Joan's brow to the subtle cat-eye liner, this look is all in the eyes. If your brows are light, patchy, or sparse, fill them in with a waterproof brow pencil. For lining the lid, switch the pencil for liquid liner, keeping the line as close to the lash line as possible, flicking your wrist at the outer eyelid. 5 Steps To Sexy Mad Men Eye Makeup

4. Get the pout: Bare may be in now, but the '60s were all about lipstick and liner. Match the lipliner either to your natural lip color or to the lipstick, and line first before applying lipstick. No need to press hard like you're taking the SATs: feathery strokes outlining your natural lip line (don't try to draw on Angelina Jolie lips if you don't have 'em; you'll look cartoonish) will create a barrier between your lips and the rest of your face, keeping your lipstick contained. Choose a creamy lipstick, and try to stay away from lipstick that's long-wearing or long-lasting: these tend to dry out your lips. Kissable Lip Gloss: 6 Splurge Or Save Glosses