From Visible Bikini Tan Lines To “Full-On Instagram Face,” Here’s A Roundup Of Times An Actor’s Makeup, Style, Or Cosmetic Work Felt Ridiculously Out Of Place In A Period Piece

You might have heard of “iPhone face” — aka when an actor looks too modern to appear in a historical or period piece. This is typically down to their stylistic choices, makeup, hair, or even cosmetic work, including veneers or Botox.

Most recently, the casting of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights — which is set in the 1700s — has sparked a heap of “iPhone face”-related chatter, with several people arguing that the pair look way too “glossy and glamorous” for the historical roles.

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in a dramatic close up on a "Wuthering Heights" poster

With this in mind, here’s a look back at more times an actor’s very modern appearance totally distracted from their scene:

1. We all know that Netflix’s Bridgerton isn’t meant to be historically accurate, but the modern makeup on actors like Nicola Coughlan (Penelope) and Claudia Jessie (Eloise) have certainly distracted its audience time and again.

Nicola Coughlan in a historical-style dress with intricate patterns and full makeup in a "Bridgerton" scene

©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

2. Also from Bridgerton, Yerin Ha’s character, Sophie Baek, appeared to have visible bikini tan lines on show in a Season 4 teaser.

Yerin Ha in an elegant gown and mask with bikini tan lines visible in a "Bridgerton" scene

3. Dakota Johnson rocked a historically inaccurate “swoopy fringe” in the 2022 film Persuasion, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1817 novel.

Dakota Johnson in period costume with a side bang in a movie scene

4. Similarly, Emma Watson’s character wore a very modern side bang in the 2019 film Little Women, which is set in the 1860s.

Emma Watson long hair and a side bang in a movie scene

5. Michelle Randolph’s glam appearance in the early-20th-century-based TV drama 1923 left many viewers at home distracted. As one Reddit user put it, she had “full-on Instagram face in a period drama.”

Michelle Randolph’s with wavy hair in a floral dress in a TV scene

Netflix

6. Jessica Biel’s appearance in The Illusionist (set in the 1900s) also caught some fans off-guard, with one person admitting, “It completely took me out of the movie.”

Jessica Biel in an elegant vintage lace dress in a movie scene

7. And so did Nicole Kidman’s appearance in The Northman, a film set in the Viking age.

Nicole Kidman with braided hair and a fur-trimmed cloak in a movie scene

8. Jodie Comer had pristine white teeth in The Last Duel (2021), which is set in medieval France.

Jodie Comer smiling subtly in a movie scene

20th Century Studios / Disney+

9. Similarly, Sam Claflin had almost-too-perfect teeth in Daisy Jones & The Six, which is set in the ‘70s.

Sam Claflin smiling while playing an acoustic guitar in a TV scene

Fans have long speculated that Sam has cosmetically altered his teeth, with before-and-after comparisons gaining traction online now and again.

10. And finally, in Game of Thrones, actors like Emilia Clarke and Natalie Dormer rocked modern makeup looks, including mascara-clad lashes and heavy contour.