After World War II, the cosmetic industry started to boom. A number of brand name companies popped up and icons were created during the 50s. Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly are just a few fashion icons that we still look to for inspiration, especially when it comes to fashion and makeup.
Makeup in the 50s was much different from the 40s, going from minimalist to glamorous and luxurious. Recreating makeup looks inspired by the 50s can seem intimidating, which makes people shy away from giving it a try.
Now is the time to step out of your comfort zone! In this article, we are going to talk about everything you need to know about makeup in the 50s. Keep reading this guide so you can create a bold and beautiful makeup look inspired by the 50s.
1950s Makeup Checklist
The quality of the products you use can make a difference; however, you don't have to purchase the most expensive brands to create a good 50s makeup look.
Saying that, there are a few steps you should take in order to create the best look possible. You should always start with a clean face.
Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt and oil build-up. This will help your makeup go on smoothly and will help keep your skin healthy and breakout free.
Using a primer isn't necessary but it can be very beneficial. It can help your makeup stay longer, so if you have a long night ahead of you it may be a good idea.
Foundation
In the 1950s, women would try to match their foundation as much as possible to their natural skin tone.
So instead of trying to make your skin look tanner or paler, take the time to find a foundation that matches.
They used foundations that had a slight pink or peach undertone. Max Factor created Pan-Cake, which sold by the millions.
Another popular foundation was Creme Puff. It was a two-in-one foundation and powder. It was created to make makeup easier and quicker.
Contour
Contour was used more than blush because bright rosy checks were seen as "old-fashioned". Rouge was applied to the cheekbones and blended up toward the cheekbones. It was applied right after the foundation.
Powder
In order to keep from getting shiny, women in the 50s would use powder. You'll want to apply powder all over to help blend your foundation and contour.
Loose powder was popular during that time. After a few minutes, brush off any excess powder and you won't have to worry about getting shiny which was not popular during the 50s.
Eyeshadow
To get the full 50s makeup, you'll need to spend some time applying eyeshadow. To create a 50s makeup look you'll want to get a matte eyeshadow palette.
Brown, blue, gray, green, and purple were the most popular colors so you'll want to focus on those shades. To get the full look, you'll only want to use one color at a time. It wasn't common to use multiple eyeshade colors at one time.
On occasion, they would use guanine to add a little shine and shimmer. It was typically applied with a finger and faded out toward the brow. If you have a brush, you can get the same look if you aren't comfortable using your finger.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner can make or break a makeup look. To create the full 50s makeup look, you're going to use black or brown eyeliner. You'll draw a small wing on the upper lid to add some flare.
Marilyn Monroe coined the famous doe-eyed look that was so popular. To create that look you'll want to add eyeliner to the lower lid.
Mascara
When you're wondering how to do 50s makeup, you can't forget about eyeliner. Lashes were full and lash during that decade; however, it was only applied to the top lashes.
Be sure to find a good mascara that works for your lashes. Make them as long and as thick as possible.
Eyebrows
Brows started to become bolder in the 50s. You can use a pencil to fill them in and create a stronger arch.
There were a few classic icons that kept them more natural and feminine. However, skinny brows were out in the 50s, so whether you go medium or bold, stay away from thin eyebrows.
Lipstick
There are several different lip colors that you can choose from when you're trying to follow the 50s trend.
Audrey Hepburn made light pink popular, while Marilyn Monroe used bright red, which she is now famous for.
Other popular colors that you can choose are coral and orange. As you create your perfect 50s look, try something new.
Orange can be a hard color to pull off, but with some practice, you can make it work.
Typically, lipstick was placed on the natural lip light; however, lips were overdrawn slightly to make them more symmetrical. You can't go wrong either way.
There are makeup brands and products that reflect the 50s even today, Revolve being one of them. They produce a lot of lipstick colors from the 50s, so be on the lookout for those.
Nails
Nails were typically painted in red or pink shades, with a glossy finish. The shape of nails was generally oval or round, with a natural-looking length. The use of nail art or decorative embellishments was not common during this time.
The overall look was clean, polished, and understated, reflecting the conservative style of the era.
50s Makeup Tips
As you can see, there are a lot of 1950s makeup tips that you can include in your daily makeup routine. As a beginner, trying new products and techniques can be hard, but practice makes perfect.
There are a lot of resources that can help you create different makeup looks. We have a lot of information about 50s fashion on our site as well. Keep browsing here for more fashion and makeup tips.
