Donna Mills Reveals Why Waterproof Mascara Was a No-Go on ‘Knots Landing’
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Donna Mills, famed for her role in Knots Landing, recently shared a surprising beauty secret from her time on the set. The actress disclosed that she intentionally avoided using waterproof mascara during emotional scenes on the show, opting for the regular formula instead. According to Mills, the non-waterproof mascara added an extra layer of drama to her crying scenes, as she explained at the Southfork Experience: Knots Landing Panel.
The Knots Landing reunion took place in Texas on Aug. 9, bringing together the cast more than three decades after the series concluded in 1993. Mills, who portrayed Abby Cunningham on the long-running soap opera, revealed her unconventional choice in mascara as a deliberate technique to enhance the intensity of emotional moments. She expressed, “Whenever I had to cry, I always used non-waterproof mascara because the best thing is the mascara running down your face. You gotta have that.”
Mills’ makeup prowess extended beyond her on-screen performances, as her signature cool-toned smokey eye from the 1980s became a sensation. Renowned for doing her own makeup on the show, Mills set the trend for fans eager to replicate her iconic look. She even delved into the world of makeup tutorials, releasing videos and launching her eye makeup kit to help enthusiasts perfect their eye makeup game.
Reflecting on her influential role in everyday makeup during the Knots Landing era, Mills recounted receiving numerous requests from admirers seeking to emulate her makeup style. In response, she produced a video tutorial showcasing her techniques, a move that garnered widespread acclaim. Mills shared, “People kept writing to me…I said, why don’t I just do a video about it and show them? And so I did. I got a whole production crew. I shot at my house. All on my own dime. And then I thought, I can’t distribute it. I don’t have the wherewithal to do that, so I took it to Universal and they bought it and they distributed it and it went platinum.”
Following the success of her first tutorial, Mills expanded her beauty empire by launching an eye makeup kit containing essentials such as eyeshadow and mascara. She continued to empower fans with her beauty expertise through additional video tutorials, including the popular “The Eyes Have It.” Alongside her famed smokey eye, Mills incorporated bright undereye highlights, an array of pink lipstick shades, and a complementary blush colour into her 1980s glam repertoire.
Donna Mills’ innovative approach to makeup not only left a lasting impact on Knots Landing fans but also solidified her status as a beauty trailblazer of her time. As she continues to inspire beauty enthusiasts with her timeless techniques, Mills’ legacy in the realm of makeup remains unparalleled.