Makeup History - 1990's The making of Supermodels!

They were the original supermodels who brought glamour and sexiness to the catwalks - Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Karen Mulder (my fav!), Stephanie Seymour, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer & Naomi Campbell. They made the 90's!

It was all about glamour and clever contouring. The overall look was polished and it was the only time you'd see a perfect smokey eye with a red lip on a night out.

Foundation was matt and full coverage - the base needed to be immaculate. Eyes were contoured smokey most often in neutral brown, beige, black and eggplant finished off with a clean liner. Cheeks were contoured with a brown/bronze powder and lips were lined with a soft brown liner then filled with natural colour lipsticks. This type of makeup and tones used worked so well with the black & white images that were so popular.

Makeup History - 1970's PEACE!

Ok, so far you've been taken through 5 decades of what I can only describe as extraordinary changes in makeup, not only in the application but the changes that took place thanks to much research and development!

Jerry Hall on the cover of Vogue 1975

Bridgette Bardot, Blondie, Jerry Hall, Farrah Fawcett, Charlie's Angels and the Bond girls all epitomise what the 1970's represented. 
The tanned, bronzed look was the hit of the decade with lots of shimmer on the eyes in blue, green and brown. To define the eye black liner was applied and smudged out to create a smokey effect and eyebrows were groomed thin in an arch shape. Cheeks were contoured and highlight was used to accentuate the cheekbones. Lips were quite natural in colour but the finish was high gloss.
Flower Power!!

Charlie's Angels

Modern 1970's

Makeup History - 1960's

Twiggy

Not sure what the 1960's beauty represented? Think Twiggy, think doe eyes, think dramatic eyes.

Eyes were the focus with pale, often white, pastel blue or green eyeshadows finished with a dark drawn on socket line and eyeliner. They were then dramatised with heavy false lashes on the top lids, and drawn on individual lashes on the bottom of the eye.
Cheeks were quite contoured and a sculptured blush was applied. To further accentuate the cheekbones a highlighter was used on the top bones of the cheek. 
To compliment the dark contoured eyes, lips were often quite pale and sometimes even shimmery.


Watch a step by step tutorial here!!!

June 1965 Vogue Cover

Modern 60's makeup

Makeup History - 1950's

The iconic late Elizabeth Taylor

And GLAMOUR was born! 


No one can deny makeup was revolutionised during the 50's with starlets such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren leading the way post war era.
Makeup techniques developed and product companies invested more into research & development with the boom of colour films hitting the big screens. Max Factors famous foundation 'Pan Cake' was invented to assist in covering any imperfections shown on the large screens. 
Eyebrows were arched and defined and eyeshadow was either quite contoured (think the stunning Marilyn) or pastel shades were used. Eyeliner was flicked out, very Egyptian looking (Ms Taylor) and false eyelashes were used.
Lips continued the red trend of the 40's, although shades were lighter and often pinks and orange were used. Cheeks bared colours of pink and peaches.


A definite favourite era of mine!

The ever beautiful Marilyn Monroe

Christina Aguilera's modern take of the 50's

Makeup History 1940's.

Veronica Lake

Veronica Lake, Betty Grable, Lucielle Ball, Judy Garland and Ginger Rogers all contributed to the 40's beauty revolution and made there mark in makeup history.


The 1940's saw a shift from the heavier looks of the 20's & 30's to a more natural beauty, minimal look, with a warmer base. The blush, or rouge as they once called it, was sculpted on the cheek and of bright pink and rose colour. 
Eyebrows were groomed to an arched shape and defined with pencil. Eyeshadows were quite neutral and tones such as taupe, browns and muted greys were regularly used. Thin eyeliner was often smudged through the lashes, a technique still used today to help create some depth and finished off with a brown or black mascara.
For lips think Dita Von Teese red, fuller lips with a slightly exaggerated top lip.


Hair was the main focus during this era with pin curls, finger waves and heavy tight sets.

Ginger Rogers

The modern version - Dita Von Teese

1930's makeup.

Think Jean Harlow, Claudette Colbert, Dorothy Lamour and you have 1930's beauty!


I could have lived in this era for the fact heavy lashes were a statement! The overall look was quite elegant and sophisticated featuring a soft complexion and often a sculptured pink blush.
The brows were extremely thin, very rounded, even shaved off, then thinly drawn on with a pencil. Eyeshadow was very blended and eye colour played a huge part in the shade selection. In the evenings shimmering shadows were applied from the upper eyelid right up to the eyebrow and daytime saw blues, bright violet, green, brown and orchid. 


For lips the shade of choice was raspberry, reds and oranges and painted on creating a fuller illusion from the bow.

Another Dior modern version......they nail it everytime!

Makeup History - 1920's

I'm so loving right now, rediscovering the history of makeup and realising how far we have come both socially and technologically.

My following posts will take you through the various decades and styles of makeup that have all played a major role in society.

Hope you enjoy!

1920's makeup -

Prior to the 20's, makeup was somewhat taboo and frowned upon. Not only were the ingredients quite dangerous (lead, sulphur & mercury) it was not proper for nice girls to wear makeup. Pale skin was the norm as  the attitude was a lady had no reason to be in the sun. 'Some historians even suspect that the look became popular because of the prevalence of tuberculosis, which made its sufferers look very pale'.


The look from the decade was very distinct. Dark, mysterious, vamp, heavy kohl - rimmed eyes and cupid bow mouth. The eyeshadow was generally of a round shape and the apples of the cheeks were pink.


The lips were often a dark plum-burgundy colour in a very cute cupid bow shape. Eyebrows were thin and rounded.

Dior does the ultimate 1920's remake. Love it!