Here’s What It Takes To Look Like Dolly Parton! Inside The Icon’s Beauty Secrets

Not only is American icon Dolly Parton one of the most influential singer-songwriters of her generation, but she has proven to be successful in many other facets such as acting, business, and philanthropic work. However, it takes a lot of effort to look as put together as this talented star! Take an inside look at beauty tips straight from Dolly herself.

Grow Out Your Nails

Dolly Parton on stage with her arms raised
Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images
Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images

Dolly Parton is all about beauty and one of the rules she has kept up with for years has to do with nails.

"My nails are my rhythm section when I'm writing a song all alone. Some day, I may cut an album, just me and my nails," said Parton.

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Don't Follow Trends

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Dolly Parton performing on stage
Andrew Putler/Redferns/Getty Images
Andrew Putler/Redferns/Getty Images
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Most musicians try to have a style all their own and that's especially true for the glitzy Dolly Parton.

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"...I won't wear the kind of hair that they say goes with that dress. Or I won't wear the kind of shoes that are supposed to go what that dress because I have to have my hair a certain way...," said Parton.

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Work Those Wigs!

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Dolly Parton on the red carpet
John Lamparski/Getty Images
John Lamparski/Getty Images
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The main reason why no one has seen Dolly Parton have a bad hair day is because she only wears wigs.

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"People say, 'How many wigs do you have?' And I say, 'Well, at least 365 because I wear at least one a day,'" said Parton. She even sleeps with one right next to her bed.

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Don't Buy Expensive Cosmetics

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Dolly Parton smiling on the red carpet
David Becker/Getty Images
David Becker/Getty Images
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One of the most important tools that make Dolly look beautiful is being able to expertly apply her makeup.

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"You don't need to buy expensive cosmetics; almost anything will do if you know how to apply it. Until I was a teenager, I used red pokeberries for lipstick and a burnt matchstick for eyeliner," said Parton.

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She Tries Different Facial Cleansers

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Dolly Parton at a movie premiere
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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Skincare is something that Dolly takes very seriously and she makes sure to keep up with her routine every day.

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"I clean my face in the mornings...I try all the new things that come out, but there's nothing better than good old Vaseline and those Almay eye makeup remover pads...," said Parton.

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Dolly Dyes Her Hair, (Yep, She's Not Really Blonde!)

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Dolly Parton sitting next to a bouquet of flowers
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Getty Images
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Every photo or video of Dolly Parton shows her with big, blonde hair, but in reality she's actually not a blonde. She also doesn't accept the outdated blonde stereotypes.

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"I'm not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know that I'm not a blonde," said Parton.

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Being Comfortable In Her Skin

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Dolly Parton on stage in a black sequin outfit
Rich Fury/Getty Images
Rich Fury/Getty Images
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Dolly knows that even though she pays a lot of attention to her looks, they don't make or break her as a person.

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"If I'm gonna have any looks at all, I'm gonna have to create them. I'm comfortable in my own skin, no matter how far it's stretched," said Parton.

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She Doesn't Hide Her Botox

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Dolly Parton speaking during a radio show
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
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While Botox is pretty common in the entertainment industry, many celebrities try to hide the fact that they got it. Dolly owns it and isn't afraid to share her experience.

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"Thanks to Botox and fillers, as well as the work that I've already had, my face pretty much maintains itself. People say I always look happy, I say, 'That's the Botox,'" said Parton.

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Her Earliest Style Influence

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Dolly Parton posing for a portrait in 1965
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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One of the main reasons why Dolly wanted to create her own unique style was because of someone she saw growing up.

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"...She used to walk down the street, and she had all this yellow, bleached hair, red lips, and real tight clothes. When I was little, I used to just love her when I would go to town...," said Parton.

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She Never Diets

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Dolly Parton in the 70s
The List/YouTube
The List/YouTube
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Some may wonder how Dolly has kept her slim figure after all these decades and it really isn't due to her diet.

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"I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren't in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets," said Parton. She owes it all to staying active.

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Staying True To Herself

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dolly and husband in the 60s
WoomudTM/Twitter
WoomudTM/Twitter
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Dolly would often get teased for the way she looked throughout her career, but she didn't let others get in her way of success.

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"A lot of people have said I'd have probably done better in my career if I hadn't looked so cheap and gaudy, but I dress to be comfortable for me, and you shouldn't be blamed because you want to look pretty," said Parton.

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How To Stay Positive

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Dolly Parton singing on stage
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Not many performers have been able to stay in showbusiness for very long, but there's something special about Dolly that allows her to keep going.

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"Do what makes you happy, because if you're happy and you're comfortable, people are going to be happy around you. They're going to be comfortable with you - even if you might look ridiculous to them," said Parton.

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She Never Goes Out With A Bare Face

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Dolly Parton in a red dress
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Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
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Not only will Dolly never be seen without her wig, but the same applies when it comes to makeup.

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"I never go out with a bare face. Not even when I go out. Somebody, please open my coffin to put some makeup on me...I can do my makeup in 15 or 20 minutes, though...," said Parton.

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People Love Her Signature Scent

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Dolly Parton posing for a photo in 1977
Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images
Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images
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Something that fans may not know about Dolly is that she has a distinct smell and people will often approach her about it.

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"People will always run me down the street or even backstage, they'll come up behind me and say, 'Oh, my Lord, I love that smell! What is that?' And I'd have to say, 'I just call it 'Dolly' because it's not just one smell,'" said Parton.

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She Goes With Her Heart

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Dolly Parton with her sister at a conference
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Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
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When it comes to making any decision, Dolly always listens to her heart and lets her faith guide her to where she's supposed to go.

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"I go where my heart leads me 'cause I pray every day that God will lead me in the choices that I make," said Parton.

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Her Favorite Kind Of Workout

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Dolly Parton posing for a photo
Mark Seliger/Getty Images
Mark Seliger/Getty Images
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Dolly always makes sure to put her health first and loves to find time to exercise.

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"...So I just put on music or sing gospel songs and do my own kind of workout - shouting and stretching and praising...I do a few little floor exercises now and then, a few little squats...," said Parton.

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She's Drawn To The Color Pink

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Dolly Parton speaking on stage
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Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
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At her core, Dolly is a girly girl. She loves dresses, makeup, hairstyling, and high heels.

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One color that Dolly always seems to gravitate towards is pink and she is often seen wearing it in at least one part of her wardrobe. Her favorite nail color is OPI's Strawberry Margarita.

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How She Knows It's Time To Get More Work Done

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Dolly Parton performing on stage in a pink dress
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Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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Dolly will admit to her Botox and fillers and it's clear to her when she needs to go back and get more work done.

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"If I see something sagging, bagging, or dragging, I'll get it nipped, tucked, or sucked," said Parton. Dolly likes how she looks and doesn't pay attention to negative comments from others.

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Her 3 A.M. Wakeup Time

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Dolly Parton in a yellow outfit in 1978
Harry Langdon/Getty Images
Harry Langdon/Getty Images
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It takes a long time for Dolly to get ready, which is why she wakes up every morning at three.

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She sleeps in her makeup but removes it during her early morning skincare routine. Dolly prefers to sleep in her makeup because she wants to be ready to go in case of an emergency.

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What She Does With Her Natural Hair

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Dolly Parton on stage in a white outfit
Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Ian Gavan/Getty Images
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Fans of Dolly know that her natural hair is almost always under a wig, but she still takes care of it. After all, beauty is a top priority for her.

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When it's not under her wig, her hair will be tied up with "little" scrunchies. She claims that her natural hair is just about chest-length.

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