We Will Always Love Dolly Parton’s Most Candid Beauty Confessions

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Looking like Dolly Parton is more than a 9-to-5 job.

In her 2023 memoir, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, the Grammy-winning artist explained that she began sleeping in her makeup when she moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s. She partially attributed this habit to the frequent earthquakes, reasoning that she wanted to be camera-ready at all times, just in case one struck.

She continued her nightly routine even after she and her husband, Carl Dean, returned to Tennessee, explaining that she didn’t want to go to bed looking unkempt in front of him.

Despite her famously over-the-top appearance, Dolly Parton has explained that her stage persona genuinely reflects her true self.

Just like the characters in my songs help me understand myself and the people I know, my style – my clothes and makeup – also shows who I really am. It might all be a form of expression, but it’s a way of revealing my true self and what I believe.

Dolly hasn’t been able to appear in person lately due to health concerns. However, she looked fantastic accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award via video at the 2025 Governors Awards in October, and she’s planning to celebrate her 80th birthday on January 19th with plenty of style.

Dolly is a beloved icon because of her unique voice, countless popular songs, and consistently kind and welcoming personality.

What truly sets her apart is her complete dedication to glamour. Even though she’s only five feet tall, her wigs, striking figure, and towering six-inch heels make her a powerfully noticeable presence.

Dolly told Allure in 2021 that she’s happy with herself and dresses however she pleases. Her advice to others is simple: ‘Be yourself! If you feel good without makeup, that’s great. And if you love wearing a lot, go for it.’

In the meantime, she added, “I’ll do what’s best for me, as everybody should.”

Although Dolly always seems to look effortlessly glamorous, she’s always admitted her iconic style requires work. Here are some of her most honest beauty secrets:

Dolly Parton recently shared a surprising childhood inspiration: the town tramp. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, Parton explained that as a little girl, she admired the woman’s bold look – specifically her piled-high, bleached blonde hair, bright red lips and nails, high heels, and fitted skirts – and tried to copy it, finding her to be incredibly beautiful.

In her 2023 memoir, Behind the Scenes: My Life in Rhinestones, Dolly Parton shared that she used to create eyeliner with ash from burnt matchsticks and used pokeberry juice as lip stain when she was growing up.

The singer has openly admitted she doesn’t consider herself naturally beautiful. She believes creating a look is key, and surprisingly, she says you don’t need fancy makeup to do it – almost any product will work if you know how to use it, according to Into the Gloss.

Dolly Parton told Allure magazine in 2021 that she always wears makeup, even when just stepping out. She joked that she’d want someone to apply makeup to her even in a coffin! She also explained she prefers to sleep in her makeup rather than go to bed with rollers, acne treatment, and facial patches, as she doesn’t want her husband to see that.

Her husband, Carl Dean, had been unwell for some time, and after 55 years of marriage, she was prepared for the possibility of needing an ambulance. He passed away in March 2025.

She explained that she always prepares for disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes. She wouldn’t be caught outside without makeup unless she was just starting her morning routine. If a tornado hit unexpectedly, she joked she’d likely just accept her fate. However, she’s quick to get ready – she can do her makeup in 15 to 20 minutes, and she wears a wig nearly every day.

Dolly Parton shared in her 2023 book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, that the timing of your skincare routine isn’t crucial, as long as you cleanse your face daily. She described her own routine as a series of morning rituals that help her feel and look her best throughout the day.

She’s always willing to try the latest beauty products, but she swears by classic Vaseline and Almay eye makeup remover pads. She told First for Women in 2015 that she uses the pads to cleanse her face, leaving a moisturizing layer of mineral oil. Surprisingly, she credits mineral oil and even bacon grease with helping her maintain good skin, considering her age.

Dolly Parton has openly discussed her fluctuating weight over the years. Back in 1987, she shared with reporters that she had lost around 50 pounds by eating smaller meals six or seven times a day.

And she merely wanted her breasts to stay in line with where her body was.

In a 1992 interview with the Chicago Tribune, the actress from Straight Talk explained that she’d been known for her figure long before breast implants became common, and she’d never had silicone injections. She did admit to having some cosmetic surgery, including a breast lift after losing weight, but said she would be terrified of injections.

In a 2004 interview with Dan Rather of CBS News, she described her horses as having been thoroughly trained and cared for. She proudly stated they were now strong, valuable, and completely hers, comparing them to “brave little soldiers.”

However, they’re not insured for $1 million apiece—or for any amount.

Let me clear something up – that story about me insuring my… assets? It’s just not true! I was on TODAY a while back, and people were asking about it. It started years ago when I was thinking about stars like Betty Grable, who were famous for their legs. I jokingly said maybe I should insure my famous parts, but it was all in fun. I never actually went through with it!

Dolly Parton often compares herself to butterflies – she appreciates that they’re beautiful and harmless, as she explained to W magazine in 2021. She’s decorated her body with butterfly tattoos, but it’s not necessarily because she’s a big fan of tattoos in general.

She explained that many of her tattoos started as a way to cover up scars. Because she has very fair skin, she tends to scar easily from even minor cuts and surgeries. When scars didn’t heal well, she’d get tattoos to make them less noticeable. She prefers lighter, pastel-colored tattoos and has quite a few!

People often complimented Dolly Parton on her lovely fragrance, so she decided to create her own perfume. She explained to Allure that the scent was just a mix of her favorite smells.

She said her two go-to fragrances were Tova’s musk bath oil and Mary Kay Intrigue. When her favorite perfume, Intrigue, was discontinued, she became determined to stock up. “I bought every bottle I could find on eBay, even if it cost a lot,” she explained. “I still have hundreds of bottles – I was that obsessed with the scent.”

When launching her Dolly Beauty fragrance line with ‘Dolly: Scent From Above,’ she shared her preferred lotions with Edge Beauty, her licensing partner, and asked them to find a similar product, ensuring it met all legal requirements.

Dolly Parton revealed to Vogue that she wears custom-made high heels every day. She explained that it’s crucial for shoes to be properly fitted to your arch and distribute your weight comfortably. While she’s occasionally bought shoes from stores, they often cause blisters or discomfort. She loves the added height and confidence heels give her, believing they create a powerful and attractive look.

We know she wears makeup pretty much all the time, but what does Dolly wear, and when?

In a 2024 interview with Bustle, she described her approach to makeup as playful and creative, comparing it to a child experimenting with art supplies. She enjoys constantly trying new looks – one day a subtle lip line, the next something more daring.

Dolly always starts with foundation. She also applies a bit of blush and chooses a moisturizer that has worked well for her over time, explaining, “It just depends on what I’ve used through the years that still works for me.”

Dolly said she wears pretty much the same makeup both during the day and at night, and just refreshes it throughout the day as needed.

When I go out at night, like to a show, I usually add some glitter and darker eyeshadow. I’ll also use a little extra shimmer that I wouldn’t wear during the day.

I’ve always loved Dolly’s honesty! Back in 2011, she told The Guardian that she doesn’t overthink things when it comes to appearances. She simply said if something starts to droop, bulge, or drag, she takes care of it – whether that means tucking, smoothing, or plucking. It’s such a down-to-earth and wonderfully Dolly way of putting it!

In a 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Conversation, the actress revealed she began getting plastic surgery around the age of 40. She believes people should do whatever makes them feel good about themselves, explaining, ‘If you have the courage, the resources, and the desire, then go for it! Feeling confident in yourself allows you to inspire others.’

But Dolly acknowledged that you have to be discerning when you go the surgical route.

She warned on The Howard Stern Show in 2023 that it’s important to be cautious with cosmetic surgery. She explained that any surgical procedure carries a risk of an undesirable outcome.

She explained that she prefers subtle enhancements, doing things in small steps rather than major procedures. She gets fillers and Botox, but only when necessary, and always with a cautious approach.

In a 2020 interview with Oprah, Dolly Parton playfully said she doesn’t plan on growing old because she’s too busy! She explained that she’s determined to make the most of every age and joked she might not look much different at 95, if she lives that long. She anticipates maintaining a youthful appearance with the help of makeup, good lighting, and cosmetic procedures, but emphasized that true youthfulness ultimately comes from within.

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2026-01-19 14:18