1920's Makeup

Within a small group I conducted research of makeup trends in the 20's, which we then presented to an audience through a slideshow. My role within the group was to help gather research and then relay our information to the class. We included images and explained the history surrounding makeup in the 20's, alongside explaining the products that were used during this era. In the presentation we included a face chart and a step by step, which was then demonstrated through makeup application on a model. I think the presentation was delivered well and the makeup demonstration was carried out clearly which helped the audience gain a clear understanding of what women wanted to achieve with makeup in the 20's.

See below for an insight of makeup from the 1920's...

The 1920’s was an important decade for makeup. The roaring 20’s brought along a whole new different style, as Flappers were the new ‘it’ girls. Flappers were young women known for their energetic freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many of the older generation at the time as outrageous, immoral or dangerous. Now considered the first generation of independent women. For many decades, makeup had been deemed inappropriate and only worn by a certain type of woman (prostitutes) and stage performers. While some Victorian women did use makeup, it was used very discreetly and not obvious worn in order to remain ‘socially appropriate’. Women who feared the consequences of wearing makeup often pinched their cheeks and lips to give them colour since they couldn’t wear blush. It was during the early 1920's, the bloom helped increase in manufacturing and this, combined with young women's interest in makeup, lead to a whole selection of new cosmetic products and brands becoming available. With women feeling more confident and empowered, this independence was reflected in the new fashions. Hair was cut and styled a lot shorter, dresses were shorter, and women started to smoke, drink and drive motorcars.

Face powder - was probably the most important makeup item for many women. It came in limited colours, the most common being white, cream, pink and sandy tones. Applied with a powder puff.

Eyeshadow - the classic 1920's eye shadow was dark, soft and smoky. Magazine articles from 1926 on mention purple and blue pencils used as eye shadow. There was also brown eye shadow.

Rouge - was applied to the apples of the cheeks. Shades ranged from pale pink to dark rose, and rouge with an orange tint was considered good for women with a golden skin tone.

Long and thin eyebrows - plucked thin and pencil in, or pluck/shave the brows off and draw on the brows in pencil.

Mascara - was still a relatively new invention and used to primarily darken the lashes. came. It was sold in solid blocks, activated with water and applied using a little flat brush. Could also be used on the brows.

Lipstick - Lip pomade came in pots or in a palette. The new thing was the push-up tube, invented by Maurice Levy in 1915. Colours came in shades of reds and oranges. Some colours described in adverts and products were poppy, scarlet, raspberry and carmine. The early 20's had darker lip shades, where as towards the end and early 1930's lighter, raspberry shades began to get more popular.

1. Prep the face using cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

2. Powder - Choose a powder that matches your skin tone and apply the powder onto the face using a powder puff or brush. This evens out colour and texture on the face.

3. Rouge (blush) - Apply the blush just underneath the cheekbone, don't blend it no further than the tip of the nose.

•For round or broad faces apply the rouge slightly closer to the nose.

•For oval faces, apply the rouge further away from the nose.

•For long faces, add a dab of rouge to your chin.

4. Eyeshadow - Apply black or another dark coloured eye shadow right on the upper lash line. Eyeshadow applied should be rounded and smoked out for a softer look.

 Coloured eye shadows were chosen to match eye colours:

•Blue eyes: green or blue eye shadow, brown mascara, and eyeliners

•Green eyes:  grey or green eye shadow, brown mascara, and eyeliners

•Brown eyes: brown or plum eye shadow,  black mascara, and eyeliner

•Black eyes: a very faint red could be applied

5. Eyebrows - Draw the eyebrows in thin line and downwards towards the temple - eyebrow pencil would be best to use. If eyebrows aren’t already thin, either block out with glue or block out with concealer and draw on top

6. Eyelashes - Apply black mascara onto the top lashes. Brown for a more daytime look and black for evening.

7. Lips – line with a lip pencil and blend the line down onto the lips, then top with lipstick and over draw the top of lips to make a cupids bow. If you have full lips, line your lips just on the inside edge and if you have thin lips line them just a hair on the outside. Overdrawing the top lip points will make a “cupids bow.” The effect is to make you look young and childlike as possible