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Patricia Neal, 1926 – 2010

patricia-neal-for-blog

Just a few weeks ago I watched The Fountainhead and wondered who the luminous beauty was who fizzed and crackled on the screen, giving Gary Cooper more than a run for his money as Dominique Francon to his Howard Rourke. She was Patricia Neal. With her exquisite cheekbones, strong brows and sulky pout, Neal seduced the camera, slinking around in fluid silk gowns or striding fiercely in shirts and riding breeches. This was 1949 – slap bang in the middle of the golden age of Hollywood, when actresses like Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman dominated the screen as strong female characters with all the best lines.

Patricia Neal won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Hud alongside Paul Newman in 1963, but it is as Dominique in The Fountainhead that I will remember her – cracking her whip and stealing the show. phoebe frangoul



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Verity is our Content Editor and a Cult Beauty veteran. Currently on maternity leave, raising Cult Beauty’s honorary ‘word nerd’, Tabitha, she speaks fluent ‘beauty’ and loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm (and cleanser and candles… ad infinitum). Nothing can stop her from quoting Nancy Mitford, treating herself to yet another Bella Freud candle for her desk or buying that pilgrim-esque collared or heavily fringed outfit she’s been eyeing. You can trust her to debunk widespread beauty myths and dispense invaluable advice with ease…