Welcome to the world of 1920s makeup, a time when glamour and style were defined by bold choices and dramatic flair. In this era, makeup was not merely an accessory but an essential part of a woman’s persona. The ‘Roaring Twenties’ brought about a revolution in makeup trends, emphasizing long eyelashes, defined eyebrows, rosy cheeks, and vibrant scarlet lips. Youthful, doll-like features were the epitome of beauty, standing in stark contrast to today’s contoured and angled looks. This guide will transport you back to the Jazz Age, offering a step-by-step tutorial on recreating the iconic 1920s makeup look. So whether you’re preparing for a themed party or simply yearning for a touch of vintage glamour, this guide will help you channel the spirit of the flapper girls and glamorous film stars of the twenties.
1920s makeup tutorial
1920s Eye Makeup: A Glimpse Into The Past
The 1920s was a time of significant change, particularly for women’s fashion and beauty. Women started experimenting with makeup, pushing boundaries, and breaking societal norms. One area where this was most evident was eye makeup, which became an essential part of their daily routine.
The Doll-like Effect
The primary aim of 1920s eye makeup was to create a wide-eyed, doll-like effect. This was achieved by applying lighter eyeshadow on the lid and adding dark brown or black shadow just at the corners and crease of the eyelid. This technique aimed to make the eyes appear larger and more dramatic, a stark contrast to the subtle, natural looks of previous decades.
The Smokey Eye Look
While most women didn’t wear dark colors of eye shadow during the day, it was popular for parties and among film stars of the time. To achieve this look, you could brush dark grey, green, or blue eyeshadow on your eyelids and then blend black eyeshadow in at the corner of your eyes for a smokey look. This gave a sultry, mysterious allure, perfectly suited for the glamorous evening events of the era.
Eyeshadow Colors
Eyeshadows in the 1920s were not limited to blacks and browns. For instance, Prussian Blue was a pigment that was cheap and readily available at the time. It provided a vibrant pop of color that was both daring and fashionable.
Application Techniques
The application technique played a crucial role in achieving the desired look. Eyeshadow was applied in a rounded shape, extending it up towards the eyebrows rather than outwards at the corners. This helped achieve a more doll-like look, much different than the elongated eye shadow shading that’s popular today.
The 1920s makeup look was all about glamour and drama. It was a time when women began to assert their individuality and break free from societal norms. Whether it was the doll-like effect or the smokey eye look, the 1920s eye makeup reflected the bold and rebellious spirit of the era.
1920s Eyeliner: A Defining Stroke in Beauty History
The 1920s was a revolutionary decade for women’s fashion, with eyeliner playing a pivotal role in shaping the era’s iconic look. Eyeliner in the 1920s was not just about enhancing the eyes; it was a bold statement of liberation, independence, and a newfound sense of style.
The Birth of Eyeliner
Eyeliner didn’t become mainstream in the West until around the 1920s. Its popularity was largely inspired by the global fascination with all things Egyptian, following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. This trend led to the popularization of thick eyeliner, reminiscent of Cleopatra’s iconic look.
The Signature 1920s Eyeliner Look
The 1920s eyeliner look was often paired with smoky eye makeup to create a sultry, dramatic effect. It emphasized long lashes and defined eyebrows, which perfectly aligned with the flapper’s love for glamour and drama. The technique involved lining the upper eyelid with a dark pencil or cream liner, extending slightly beyond the outer corner of the eye for an elongated effect.
The Influence of Film Stars
Film stars of the era played a significant role in popularizing the 1920s eyeliner look. Their makeup, characterized by defined eyebrows, long lashes, rosy cheeks, and scarlet lips, was emulated by women across the world. This gave rise to the ‘film star look’, marking a departure from the natural, understated makeup styles of the previous decades.
The Legacy of the 1920s Eyeliner
The 1920s eyeliner look continues to inspire modern beauty trends. The classic smoky eye, a staple in today’s makeup repertoire, owes its origins to the 1920s. This era paved the way for women to experiment with bold, dramatic eyeliner styles that express their individuality and personal style.
1920s The Birth of Modern Mascara:
The concept of darkening eyelashes has been around for centuries, but the mascara we know today took its modern form in the 1920s. It was during this time that T.L. Williams created a product called “Maybelline,” a compound of his sister Mabel’s name and Vaseline, which she used on her lashes. This was a game-changer in the beauty industry and became the first mascara product to be sold commercially.
Mascara in the 1920s
Mascara in the 1920s was quite different from the sleek, user-friendly tubes we’re familiar with today. It came in a compact with a small brush, and the product had to be wet before use. Despite its less convenient form, it was a must-have item for women seeking the dramatic, doe-eyed look that was all the rage at the time.
The Flapper Look
The flapper look was iconic of the 1920s and mascara was a key player in achieving this style. The aim was to create dark, thick, and long lashes that stood out dramatically against pale facial makeup. This look was often paired with dark eyeshadow and kohl-rimmed eyes, adding to the allure and mystique of the flapper image.
The Influence of Film Stars
Silent film stars of the 1920s had a significant influence on the beauty trends of the time. Their heavily made-up eyes, complete with dark, thick lashes, were admired and emulated by women across the globe. This led to an increased demand for mascara and other eye makeup products.
The Legacy of 1920s Mascara
The 1920s was a groundbreaking decade for mascara. It not only saw the birth of the first commercial mascara product but also set the stage for the evolution of mascara as an essential beauty item. Today, mascara is a staple in nearly every makeup routine, and its fundamental purpose—to darken, lengthen, and thicken lashes—remains largely unchanged from the 1920s.
1920s Eyebrows: The Signature Look.
In the 1920s, eyebrows were severely plucked or even shaved off and then penciled in to create thin, straight, extended lines. This resulted in long, thin, and rounded eyebrows that moved straight across the face until arching downwards at the ends. This style was favored for its ability to convey a range of emotions, an important factor in an era dominated by silent films.
The Influence of Silent Film Stars
Silent film stars like Clara Bow and Egypt’s Bahiga Hafez were pivotal in popularizing the thin, downward-arched eyebrow look. Their expressive eyebrows allowed them to communicate emotions without words, making them an essential part of their on-screen personas. As these stars rose to fame, their distinct eyebrow style was emulated by women worldwide, leading to the widespread adoption of this trend.
A Departure from Natural Looks
The 1920s eyebrow trend marked a significant departure from the natural, untouched brows of the previous decades. This shift reflected the broader societal changes of the time, as women began to assert their independence and challenge traditional gender norms. The act of altering one’s eyebrows was seen as a form of self-expression and rebellion against the status quo.
The Legacy of 1920s Eyebrows
While the thin, downward-arched eyebrows are not as popular today, they left an indelible mark on the history of beauty. They paved the way for a century of eyebrow trends, each reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of its time. Today, eyebrows continue to be a significant aspect of makeup and beauty, with trends ranging from thick, bushy brows to finely sculpted arches.
1920’s Blush: A Rosy Retrospective
The Roaring Twenties was a decade of innovation and change, not least in the realm of beauty and cosmetics. Blush, or rouge as it was then known, held a special place in the makeup kits of the era’s fashionable women. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and explore the fascinating history of 1920s blush.
The Emergence of Rouge
Before the 1920s, makeup was often associated with stage performers and women of questionable morals. However, the societal changes of the 1920s allowed makeup to enter mainstream culture, and rouge became a popular product among everyday women.
The 1920s Blush
In the 1920s, blush was a cream or powder-based product that came in small, ornate containers, often accompanied by a small puff for application. It was typically applied to the apples of the cheeks in a circular shape, giving a doll-like appearance. This was a departure from the natural look of previous decades, and it reflected the flamboyant and expressive style of the era.
Shades of the Era
The popular shades of the 1920s ranged from light pink to dark red, with raspberry being particularly fashionable. The choice of shade often depended on the time of day, with lighter hues preferred for daytime wear and darker shades saved for the evening.
Influences on the Trend
The trend of wearing blush was heavily influenced by the silent film industry. Actresses like Clara Bow and Theda Bara wore heavy rouge to emphasize their expressions on black-and-white film, and their looks were widely emulated by women of the time.
The Legacy of 1920s Blush
While blush trends have evolved over the years, the 1920s marked a significant turning point in the history of this makeup staple. It was during this decade that blush moved from being a stage makeup product to an essential part of everyday women’s beauty routines.
In conclusion, 1920s blush, with its bold colors and dramatic application, symbolized the spirit of the era—bold, liberated, and unafraid to push boundaries. Today, as we have a plethora of blush shades and formulas at our disposal, it’s fascinating to look back and see how far we’ve come from the rouged cheeks of the Roaring Twenties.
1920s Lipstick: The Color of Liberation
In the 1920s, a cosmetic revolution painted the world in new hues, and lipstick led this vibrant charge. This decade was marked by unprecedented changes in society, fashion, and women’s roles, with lipstick becoming a symbol of newfound freedom and rebellion. Here’s a look at how lipstick became an iconic accessory of the Roaring Twenties.
A Tube of Confidence
The invention of the metal lipstick container in 1915 by Maurice Levy was a game-changer for the cosmetic industry. For the first time, women could easily carry lipstick with them for reapplication, making it a staple of daily life and personal expression.
The Shades That Shaped an Era
Throughout the 1920s, dark red lipsticks were the epitome of glamor. Women gravitated towards deep reds, brownish-reds, plum, and even orange tones, using these shades to craft a small, sculpted mouth that epitomized the era’s style. Lipsticks like ‘Forever Red’ (1925) encapsulated the romance and neutral undertones popular at the time, while ‘Besame Red – 1920’ offered a blend of bold color and nourishing ingredients that celebrated the daring “New Woman” of the 1920s.
Iconic Application: The Cupid’s Bow
The quintessential 1920s lip was not just about color, but also shape. The “Cupid’s Bow,” also known as the Armor’s Bow, was the desired look; lips were painted to emphasize the curve of the upper lip and create a heart-shaped appearance. This stylized look made mouths appear smaller and rounder, a stark contrast to the more natural looks favored before the decade.
The Societal Impact
Lipstick in the 1920s was more than makeup—it was a statement. After gaining the right to vote, women were increasingly asserting their independence and challenging traditional gender roles. Lipstick became an emblem of women’s liberation, visibly flaunting societal norms and celebrating femininity on their own terms.
Advertising and Accessibility
Cosmetic advertising exploded in the 1920s, with companies like Maybelline and Max Factor leading the way in mass marketing. These brands not only made lipstick more accessible to a broader audience but also played a crucial role in defining beauty standards of the time.
Preserving History
Today, the fascination with 1920s lipstick lives on. Modern renditions of vintage formulas, such as those found in unique or custom, handmade selections from retailers like Etsy, allow makeup enthusiasts to experience the textures and finishes of the past. YouTube channels dedicated to historical beauty even explore making lipstick using authentic 1920s recipes, providing a window into the processes of the time.
Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of 1920’s Makeup
As the curtain closed on the 1920s, the legacy of the decade’s makeup revolution continued to resonate through the ages. The Roaring Twenties were not just a time of economic boom and cultural upheaval; they marked the dawn of modern cosmetics, where self-expression and individuality became intertwined with beauty rituals.
The bold, dramatic looks of the era — from the smoky eyes to the sculpted cheeks and the daring lip colors — did more than just define a decade’s aesthetic. They symbolized the emancipation of women, the breaking of conventional standards, and the celebration of personal identity.
Today, the 1920s makeup is revered for its iconic style and its influence on contemporary beauty trends. Makeup artists and enthusiasts still draw inspiration from the period, often reincarnating the glitz and glamour in fashion editorials, on runways, or at themed events. Brands continue to create products that pay homage to the elegance and innovation of the era.
In the end, the 1920s makeup stands as a testament to the power of cosmetics as a tool of transformation and empowerment. Nearly a century later, the spirit of the flapper girl — fearless and free — lives on with every stroke of eyeliner, every dusting of powder, and every application of the timeless red lipstick.