The average 17-year-old typically dresses up on Halloween wearing some sort of pop culturally relevant guise or a classic, fail-proof costume. But for Annelies van Overbeek, dressing up is a year-round occupation, as she uses Instagram to document her total transformations into cult favorite characters like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Audrey Horne from Twin Peaks, and Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby (a la Carey Mulligan).
It’s not uncommon for makeup gurus to show off their transformations into assorted celebrities, but they often rely on wigs, colored contacts, and a hearty dose of contour to morph into other recognizable beings. What’s so mystifying about van Overbeek’s transformations is just how subtle they are. The Belgian teenager uses her love and knowledge of vintage fashion to craft the perfect outfits for her selected characters and then does her hair and makeup appropriately to match. On her Instagram feed, you won’t find any overly sculpted cheekbones or overwhelmingly long false eyelashes—instead she works with her angles and shapes her eyebrows as needed to play different characters in a seriously mesmerizing way. She isn’t a makeup artist showing off her skill—she’s a talented young woman expressing her love for different time periods and different people in a way that’s totally beautiful.
Take a look at some of van Overbeek’s most impressive transformations, and follow her on Instagram @bewitchedquills to see what she has in store next.
I promised so here it is! (I can't raise the 'correct' eyebrow, so please don't kill me!) unfortunately I couldn't get those crinkles out of my hat... the hat and scarf are both from my local charity shop. #scarlettohara #vivienleigh #vintage #gonewiththewind #friends_of_faces_and_style
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
May 20, 2016 at 8:15am PDT
"I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." I'm still waiting for my Gatsby jewellery pieces, but I couldn't wait to try out my wig. #thegreatgatsby #daisybuchanan #flapper #1920s #careymulligan #1920sfashion #friends_of_faces_and_style
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
May 16, 2016 at 4:08am PDT
Coincidentally my 'Sabrina' earrings came in the mail today and I figured I had try them on properly today! they are slightly oval and not round, but I love them either way. Earrings are vintage from Etsy. #audrey #audreyhepburn #sabrina #audreyhepburnlookalike
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
May 4, 2016 at 11:19am PDT
This 1950s cashmere sweater came in the mail today and it reminded me so much of Audrey Horne that I simply HAD to do this.. she's my favourite Twin Peaks character by miles! I taped my eyebrows btw, they're not naturally like this. ☺️ #sherilynfenn #audreyhorne #twinpeaks #eyebrowsonfleek #lol
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
May 11, 2016 at 9:51am PDT
I watched Pride & Prejudice yesterday. Can you tell? (I apologise for the squinty eyes, I'm a vampire and can't handle bright light.) #keiraknightley #elizabethbennet #prideandprejudice #janeausten
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
Apr 22, 2016 at 2:58am PDT
I'm so excited for #gotseason6 ! This is Needle, the sword of Arya Stark. Spot the tiny wolf near the handle! #fantasy #AryaStark #sword #medieval
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
Apr 14, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT
Don't bite the apple! I love Snow White #snowwhite #disneyprincess #disney #snowwhitecosplay #topvintagemodel
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
Apr 4, 2016 at 4:51am PDT
I meant it when I said I didn't have time to take new photos, but oh well! Princess Belle is my favourite Disney princess! What's yours? the blouse is 1960s, the apron 1950s and I'm 'reading' a vintage Oxford dictionary! #belle #beaytyandthebeast #princessbelle #bellecosplay #vintage #shehadmanhands
A photo posted by Annelies van Overbeek (@bewitchedquills) on
May 12, 2016 at 5:21am PDT