Beauty in the 1950s

images: wikimedia

Article by BR Natalie

'I think your whole life shows in your face, and you should be proud of that.' - Lauren Bacall

When Lauren Bacall recently passed the we not only lost an incredibly talented actress, we lost a true style and beauty icon.  She was feminine without being fragile, she was sexy without being explicit, she was a woman who held her own in a man's world, by blurring the line of masculinity. 

As a teenager I didn't grow up watching American Pie, Scream or even 10 Things I Hate About You.  I grew up with the original teenagers and the epitome of melodrama, immersing myself in the films of Jimmy Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant.  I loved and in fact, still do love, the 50s.  Which is why when I heard about Lauren Bacall's death I just had to revisit her films.  I fell in love with her incredible image all over again

Bacall was not only a skilled thesp, she was also a skilled makeup artist - she'd often apply her own makeup for the screen, as well as pinning her own deeply parted waves.  She was the embodiment of what 50s makeup was about - women were embracing their 'lethal femininity' and showing the male dominated world that they weren't afraid to express their desires and wants through their appearance. 

During the golden age of cinema and the birth of the starlet, makeup became a statement of empowerment; and women were no longer ashamed to buy, wear or discuss it.  And as always, where there is demand, companies will seek to fulfill it.

Max Factor invented Pan Cake, the first foundation to emulate the perfect skin of screen icons.  Revlon introduced the 'non smear' lipstick and two or three shade eyeshadow palettes so women could recreate specific looks. Maybelline had women applying mascara to both the upper and lower lashes (which had been out of fashion since the 20s) and in 1954 Avon's famous Ding Dong Avon Calling campaign opened up cosmetics to every woman in the comfort of their own home. Just three years later there were 100000 Avon reps!

Makeup of the 1950s.

• Foundation.  A heavier, cream-ivory base was required to emulate the on screen skin of the starlets.  Liquid foundations were incredibly popular at this time, due the the buildability of the coverage.
• Powders.  Flesh coloured powders were used to warm the ivories of the foundations.
• Eyes.  Eye looks of the fifties were much more simplistic than previous decades.  Neutral shades with a hint of shimmer were all you needed.
• Eyeliner.  Want to know who to blame for the endless quest for even wings?  Our 50s ladies brought the look in to everyday life.
• Eyebrows.  Eyebrows were styled to be a slightly darker shade than the natural shade.  A soft, natural arch that tapered finely were the ideal.  Eyebrow stencils mimicing the brows of the stars were very popular.
• Lashes. Two coats of mascara to define the top lashes and a single thin coat to the bottom to open the eyes.
• Blush – Strong rouges were no longer desirable, pastel and rose colors were used to accentuate the apple of the cheek.
• Lips. The 50s were the decade of pinks  Rose, pastel and red.  Audrey Hepburn once declared that she ”believed in pink!” and let's be honest she knew best.

And to finish up, here are 6 of my favourite 50s starlets rocking the 50s look - in their own unique way.

Lauren Bacall	Elizabeth Taylor
Natalie Wood	Dorothy Dandridge
Audrey Hepburn	Grace Kelly

So there we have it, a quick guide to 50s makeup.  What do you think of the 50s look?  Do you agree with Natalie that it's timeless, or do you think the look has had it's day?  Get chatting below!