50s makeup is marked by femininity, in contrast to the more masculine styles of the 40s. Flawless skin, blushed out soft peach, red lips, and classic cat-eye eyeliner are the telltale signs of 1950s makeup. When Hollywood gained power, housewives began doing their own makeup on a daily basis.
Collectif London's vintage-inspired 50s collection can be paired naturally with 50s-inspired makeup. The collection's fitted waists, polka-dot and floral prints, or pastel tones, reflect the same feminine elegance of the 1950s. Combined with red lipstick, porcelain skin, and defined eyeliner, these designs recreate the timeless femininity of 1950s style in modern fashion.
What is the Essence of 50s Makeup?
50s makeup looks were defined by a return to femininity, unlike the simple and functional beauty trends of the previous decade. During the 1940s, women had to take on a more active role in work because of the war. This meant that they started wearing more practical and masculine clothes and making more masculine make-up styles. When the war atmosphere disappeared and the world became more prosperous, people's fashion habits also changed quickly.
50s makeup is characterised by creating a natural skin tone. However, since it is aimed to make the flawless skin look flawless at the same time, velvet-finished foundation, which is compatible with the skin tone without changing the undertone, is often used. This natural look was the result of 50s housewife makeup becoming a daily part of life in the 50s.
As well as having a natural and fresh-looking complexion, thick, dark eyebrows are one of the most important elements of the 1950s look. Women used to put eyeliner not just on the outer corners of their eyes, but also on the inner corners, which was a symbol of femininity and glamour. It was also the start of the cat-eye makeup style. Makeup in the 1950s combined naturalness and attractiveness; on one hand, there was a natural-looking complexion with soft peach-toned blush, while on the other, there was a bold eye and full red lip look.
How to Do 1950s Makeup?
People wore makeup from ancient Egypt to show their social status. People still use makeup today to feel more groomed, beautiful, and attractive. Makeup styles are influenced by the social, economic, and cultural conditions of the time, like clothing choices. For example, in the 1920s, women used make-up to look stronger in the workplace, but in the 1950s, there was a change towards a freer, more feminine, and more defined style as women moved away from masculine looks.
For this reason, when answering the question "How to do 1950s makeup?", it is essential to consider the spirit of the decade. Thick eyebrows and red lips, seen as powerful symbols of femininity, are among the defining elements of 50s makeup.
Below are some suggestions to help to create authentic 50s makeup.
Foundation Choice for a Natural-Looking 50s Makeup
The classic 50s makeup starts with skincare. Since smooth and flawless skin is considered central to 1950s makeup, preparation of the skin before makeup is important. At this step, cleansing the skin with gentle products can help prepare it for makeup application.
The purpose of 50s makeup was not a bare or minimal skin appearance, but rather a perfected complexion that still appeared natural in tone. Therefore, for complexion makeup, lighter foundations are preferred over heavy, thick formulations. This means that foundation selection is always the main part of any 50s makeup tutorial.
The foundation should match your skin tone and undertone. Mattes or velvet-finish foundations are considered to be the ideal choice for reflecting the characteristic skin tone of the 50s.
Signature Colours of 50s Eye Makeup
Eye makeup is one of the basic components of makeup in the 50s, defining the facial expression and strengthening the feminine effect. However, this is achieved not through intense colour transitions, but through colours that are compatible with the eye colour for daytime use and colours that are matched with the outfit colours for evening use.
In the 50s makeup trend, matte and soft tones are commonly used. Taupe, grey, brown, pastel blue, and soft green are some of the main colours that reflect the style of that time. People usually use one colour eyeshadow to gently define the eyelid. 50s makeup products are used to complement the natural shape of the eye and create a fresh, precise look.
The most distinguishing characteristic of 1950s eye makeup is seen not in the eyeshadow, but in eyeliner usage. Eyeliner is applied along the upper lash line and extended slightly towards the outer corner of the eye, creating a subtle wing. This technique gave rise to the emergence of the cat-eye look.
Eyelash makeup normally concentrates on the top lashes. Mascara is applied to make the eyes look bigger and more defined. The lower lashes are usually left natural, as an example of the minimalist style of 1950s makeup.
Eyebrows in 50s Makeup
In 50s glam makeup, eyebrows are an important component of the style. They define the face and complete the look. In the 1950s, people preferred fuller, darker, and clearer eyebrows. These were not the thin and distinctly shaped eyebrows that had been popular in previous decades. If you want to try out the 50s makeup trend, you can use eyebrow pencils to make your brows look fuller.
Bold Lip Colours in 50s Makeup
The vintage 50s makeup tutorial is unthinkable without the lips taking center stage. During the 1950s, lips became one of the strongest focal points of makeup, adding a feminine and bold touch to facial expressions. Lipstick shades range from deep reds to vibrant corals and are often chosen as complementary to the clothing.
In order to make the lips look fuller, they are overdrawn softly beyond the natural lip line. It also reflects the influence of the pin-up style, which gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s with its strong emphasis on feminine makeup aesthetics. Long-lasting matte lipsticks can be used for a modern take on the 50s pin-up makeup look. Lip liners can also be used to shape and define the lips. Deep red, fuchsia, bright pink, coral, and pink-orange are some of the most characteristic colours of 1950s lip makeup.
Blush and Cheeks in 50s Makeup Looks
Blush in the style of '50s makeup is used to complement the skin tone, adding a healthy shine rather than sharply defined contours. This is different from today's contour makeup. It is usually used on the top part of the cheekbones and gently mixed upwards. Light pink and peach are used to add warmth to the face without affecting the smooth base.
For 50s vintage makeup, powder is important for controlling shine and fixing the makeup after applying blush. Since an ideal 1950s complexion is matte, finely milled translucent powders or colours close to the natural skin tone are preferred. Powder is applied lightly, particularly to the T-zone and over the cheeks, to make the makeup last all day.
Tips for An Authentic 1950s Makeup Style
The 1950s makeup aesthetic is closely linked to iconic stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Rather than relying on heavy layers or excessive techniques, the essence of 1950s makeup aims to create a feminine effect using careful, considered touches that highlight the features of the face.
● The following tips can be used to create an effective 1950s makeup look:
Selecting the right skin products, such as cream foundations, helps to create flawless skin.
● Choosing matte, warm, and earthy-toned eyeshadows instead of sharp color transitions.
● Favouring fuller and more defined eyebrows.
● Highlighting the lips with red-toned lipsticks, enhanced with a lip liner if needed.
● Using pastel-toned blush to add a natural touch of freshness to the skin.
Collectif London brings the feminine aesthetic of 1950s style into the present day with its vintage-inspired designs reimagined in modern cuts.
If you'd like to complete the elegant 1950s makeup look, defined by flawless skin, statement lips, and defined eyebrows, with your style, explore Collectif London's vintage-inspired dresses, pencil skirts, and A-line cuts to reflect the spirit of this era.
Frequently Asked Questions About 50s Makeup
What are the Essential 50s Makeup Products for a Beginner?
When beginning 50s-inspired makeup, a creamy foundation that matches the skin's undertones, a red-toned lipstick, black eyeliner, soft eyeshadows, and a peach-toned blush are usually sufficient.
Which Eyeshadow Shades are Authentic to 1950s Style?
The eyeshadows in 50s makeup are generally matte and soft in finish, with shades such as taupe, light brown, grey, pastel blue, and soft green being especially common.
How do I Modernize a 50s Makeup Look for Today?
In order to modernise a '50s makeup look, lighter, more sheer products can be used on the skin, and softer, less dramatic eyeliner wings can be applied. Pink-toned lipsticks can be used instead of the classic red.
Was Contouring Part of the 50s Makeup Routine?
Contouring is not a part of 50s make-up. Blushes are only used to give the skin a healthy, natural look.
How did 1950s Makeup Differ Between Day and Night?
Daytime makeup looks more minimal, with soft eyeshadow colours matching the eye colour. In the evening, eyeliner becomes more defined, and eyeshadow shades are chosen to match the outfit. Lip colours also shift towards deeper reds.
