1950's Makeup

1950’s makeup centered very much on a natural, yet seductive look. What we think of today as “classic” makeup was the everyday appeal for most women and teenage girls. Style icons such as Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe inspired regular women to wear cat-eyes and red lipstick, but more so, makeup was simple for everyday use. The vixen look was an evening style, as daytime makeup was much more muted in the decade than in the bright and spunky 1960s.

Pastels were a big deal in the 1950’s. Light, girly, and fun lip, cheek, and eye colors were an important part of the everyday ’50s look. Foundation was the base of all makeup looks, for both daytime and evening. A clean complexion was key to capturing the style of the era. Faces were made to look as flawless yet natural as possible. Max Factor’s Pan Cake foundation was a popular item, as were other liquid and pressed foundations. Topped with blush, the innocent and feminine facial look was complete.

Pastel Lipstick Ad

While young girls typically stuck to age appropriate looks, evening looks for women of age were dramatic and sensual. Winged, black eyeliner was a staple, along with earth toned and silvery eye shadows. Mascara was applied thickly, but because it was not of the stature and quality we know today, women often applied false eyelashes everyday. Thick lashes, a defined upper lid, and bright red lips created that 1950’s look that we see making a comeback in recent years.

Foundation Ad

Regardless of the sex appeal that makeup application brought to women of the era, all techniques were used to maintain and establish a look of femininity and womanhood. Eyes were made to look bigger and eyelashes to look longer, lips were made to appear fuller, and a blush gave a healthy, fertile flush. The basis behind makeup application of the era was no different than that of the popular 1950’s hair and fashion.