A bit of a different post today - well more like a history lesson. History lessons were always rather long, so what I am basically saying is go and boil that kettle and get comfy, it's a long one.
I am fascinated by all areas of make-up, blushers, bronzers and eyeshadows alike, but how did all this gorgeous stuff come about?
One day I came across a video that Lisa Eldridge make up artist to the stars had put on youtube about retro/vintage make up, ever since then I have been hooked. I have throughly enjoyed learning about all decades of make up but I will only ramble on about my two favourite decades of make up, the 1940's - 1950's. I love knowing how we got all this luxury and beauty how it all came about and about the women and what they were like. We love the sleek black packaging of MAC and Bobbi Brown and NARS and we are more experimental with colour, new patterns and mixes than ever, but most of the make up looks we create are based on those of the past, for example the 1950's Marilyn Monroe tutorials on YouTube are among the most watched. I hope that if your reading this you just as big of a make up geek than me (if thats possible!)
1940's
In the 1940's it was a warzone, literally! Resources became rationed and things became harder to obtain, make-up was certainly no exception. Although it wasn't rationed, they simply didn't have the resources to make everyday make up; however make up companies were still in business, making army make up products. If you was in the Armed Forces you did have make up such as Foot Powder and Camouflage kits along with compacts specially made for the armed forces from such brands as Max Factor. When I think about it make up played a huge part in the war, suppling the armed forces with the resources that helped hugely with the day to day running of the front line, don't you think? To anyone who thinks make up is silly well proved you wrong? :)
In the USA and most probably the UK the red lip was on the rise (but honestly when is it not in trend?), red lipstick became a sign of patriotism for the countries, the red lip became this strong message from all the women, a message of winning and great patriotism, even the names of the lipsticks were patriotic with names such as fighting red and patriotic red.
Who'd have thought it ay? Make Up a War Time must have?
1950's
The war is over, make up back on the market, can only mean one thing? Lets get feminine, throw out the foot powder and camouflage kits and bring on the rouge!
The 1950's was the decade of femininity and ladies. I would have loved to be a lady in the 1950's, the ladies were all about being as ladylike as they could possible get, with luxury coming from all angles.
It was also the decade of classy yet with that novelty element, and when I think of the 50's make up products I think of one brand that it could possibly look like they were founded in the 50's, that brand is.. Benefit! Benefit brings the 50's novelties to present day. The buzzwords (#the hashtags in present terms haha) for the 50's were Hollywood, Glamour and Ladylike, with lipstick applicators and compact mirrors in all shapes and sizes, it was all about being made up at all times, make up for every occasion, lashings of make up and beauty. The First wand mascara was also invented in the 50's!
The women of the 50's had been deprived of beauty and the luxury of having that little bit of make up that would make them feel a million dollars, however it all came back at the right time, the men were back! The men came back from the war to these beautifully made up women, with the tiny waists, bosoms, gorgeous lips and lashings of make up, everyone woman wanted to be womanly, with the hips and the waist. Taking a look at the female idols of the time like Jaynes Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe, they had that hour glass figure, the figure of a woman. Although there could have been an ulterior motive to this hourglass craze, one word babies. A baby boom was needed because of the war, the women almost wanted to be the perfect child barring woman for their soldiers!
Be his pin up girl?
I know this could a slightly boring post for some but I really enjoyed writing about this.
I hoped you liked it as much I as I enjoyed writing it, I now have on order a book by Madeleine Marsh an expert on vintage collectables especially make up, I am way to excited for it to turn up on my desk!
Until Next Time ,
Jess
xx
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