A Brief history of 1920s Makeup
Concise illustrated history of 1920’s Makeup styles and cosmetics. Where to buy vintage inspired makeup.
Those cosmetic innovations of the 1910’s heavily influenced 1920s makeup. Lipsticks, eye-shadows, mascara and pan-sticks etc from brands like Maybelline and Max Factor were now to be seen on dressing tables and handbags across America and Europe.
Makeup Artist Max Factor at work in 1935
In Japan, still not under the spell of fascism, Shiseido was producing their own unique beauty products for the ‘modern Japanese woman‘. The 1920s was the era of the Flapper, a time when nice girls could be bad – at least in the evenings!
Makeup played a huge part in helping women recover from the horrors of the war. Now they could assert their new sense of feminine power. Helena Rubinstein famously said “If you can show me a woman who doesn’t want to look young and beautiful – well, I’m afraid she isn’t in her right mind. Women all want it – and we admit that they do !”
1920’s Makeup Tutorials
Download original 1920’s makeup and beauty tutorialsfrom the golden eras. Learn from a genuine 1920’s society girl how women really wore their makeup in the 1920’s.
1920s Makeup Products
Besame Cosmetics, founded by Gabriela Hernández is by far the leading purveyor of vintage style cosmetics today. We love their beautiful shades of vintage inspired lipsticks. Their 1920’s cake mascaras, in black and brown,are so authentic and beautifully packaged.
Dark defined lashes were a must for actresses and showgirls. Besame Cosmetics 1920s cake mascara will bring out the flapper in anyone. It comes in authentic cake style, in a tin that you won’t want to throw away. Add to that a delightful applicator brush and you’re set for creating those steaming eyes of the 1920’s flapper.
Gallery – Makeup Mirror – Women of the 1920’s
In 1909 Gordon Selfridge had opened the first cosmetics counter to allow women to ‘try before you buy’ and by the 1920s, every pharmacy and department store in the world had makeup counters. The earlier stigma attached to makeup and ‘harlots’ was gone. Women felt at ease perusing the latest powders, vanishing creams, pan sticks, lipsticks and mascaras. The original name wasmascaro!
Hollywood stars like Clara Bow made the cupids bow lip – a self shaping lipstick developed by Helena Rubinstein – popular and the image of the 1920s woman with her bow lips and dark eyes peering out from under her cloche hat has defined the look to this day. Shaping the mouth became a major pastime for women. Metal lip tracers being sold to help achieve the perfect pout. The defining 1920s makeup look was a youthful glow to contrast the ivory pale skin. This was achieved using creams, rouge papers and various foundation liquids.
Gallery – The Makeup Looks of the 1920’s
1920’s Make-up for Women of Color
Kathy Lee Peiss in her book Hope in a Jar noted:
“If pale and creamy was the desired skin, the solution for white women lay in an array of powders, paints, and bleaches. But what were the ramifications for black women? Peiss examines the hair and skin products sold and marketed to black women. Two of the largest companies within the black community did not sell hair straighteners or bleaches.”
The Key Makeup Looks of the 1920’s
The 1920’s woman was the first to truly create an artificial face. Startling eyes, scarlet lips and a pale pallor – thanks to buckets of powder resembling that of a corpse.The consumer boom in makeup – simplified women’s requirements and a handbag carried all any daring flapper needed. Cake mascara – applied with a brush and the ever present push up tube lipstick.
- Eyes – kohl eye shadow for the more daring girls
- Eyebrows – Plucked for the first time and drawn downward towards the temple.
- Lips – lips were smaller than the natural outline and fashioned into the ‘cupid’s bow’ shape.
- Lashes – mascara was the new rage and no woman could resist enhancing her lashes.
- Rouge – Applied in circles rather than angular. The effect was a rounded face.
- Nails – The big name was Revlon and the popular style was the ‘moon manicure’ leaving the tip in painted.
Gallery – Makeup Adverts of the 1920’s
Contrary to popular belief the art of plucking eyebrows did not take off until the early 1930s, again to some extent popularized by Hollywood bombshells such as Jean Harlow and Myrna Loy.
No – the 1920’s look for the most part was one of femininity and beauty routine – day and night.
Most women did not go for the so called flapper look – but instead the idea of facial contouring was gaining interest and soon 1920s makeup and beauty books displaying detailed tutorials for women were being sold. One notable makeup tool that appeared in the 1920s was eyeliner – inspired by the huge interest in all things Egyptian, following the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The First “Swivel” Lipstick
Now a staple in every woman’s handbag, the lipstick tube – purportedly invented in 1915 – with a side lever to push up the lipstick, was challenged by a patent by a James Mason Jr in 1923 – with his “swivel lipstick container”.
Gallery – Cosmetic Patents of the 1920’s
A Popular makeup brand which made its mark in the 1920s was Tre-Jur – under the lead of cosmetic entrepreneur Albert Mosheim. Other notable makeup brands who joined the ranks of Tre-Jur, Max Factor, Coty, Rubinstein and Arden in the 1920s included Tangee Lipsticks (1922), Peggy Sage (1925), Charles of the Ritz (1926) and Bonnie Bell (1927), Kissproof (1927)
© 29/05/2012 – Stevie McGlinchey – Glamourdaze.com
Further Reading:
A Short History of 20th Century Cosmetics
A History of Makeup – 1900 to 1919.
Complete History of Makeup – 1930s
A History of makeup – 1940s
Full History of makeup – 1950s
History of makeup – 1960s
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A Concise Illustrated History of Fashion – 1900 to 1919
The Concise Illustrated History of Fashion – 1920 to 1929
Concise Illustrated History of Fashion – 1940 to 1949
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Vintage Makeup Guides – The 1920’s Look.
Cosmetics in the 1920s.
Pinterest – 1920s makeup & Beauty
An Original Flapper’s Guide to 1920s Makeup.
Makeup – Women’s studies.
The 1920s Image – Review.
Classic Beauty – The History of makeup.
Patent Images – via Google Patents
Plus – the excellent – Collecting Vintage Compacts
(2 patents by Mosheim – 1357412 and 1498475.
Gordon – 1419671, Miles – 1451740 and Kasdan – 1503955)
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Drawing from my extensive knowledge of historical makeup trends, cosmetic innovations, and brands that shaped the 20th-century beauty landscape, I can confidently provide insights into the rich history of 1920s makeup and cosmetics.
1920s Makeup: An In-depth Exploration
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Influence of the 1910s: The makeup trends of the 1920s were heavily influenced by the preceding decade. Brands like Maybelline and Max Factor began gaining prominence during this time, introducing products such as lipsticks, eye-shadows, mascaras, and pan-sticks.
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Max Factor and Maybelline: Max Factor, a renowned makeup artist and entrepreneur, played a pivotal role in the evolution of cosmetics during this era. By 1935, he had established himself as a significant figure in the industry. Similarly, Maybelline started its journey during the early 20th century, laying the foundation for modern makeup products.
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Shiseido in Japan: While Western countries embraced new beauty standards, Japan's Shiseido was at the forefront of producing unique beauty products tailored for the 'modern Japanese woman.' This period marked a fusion of global beauty trends with Japan's indigenous cosmetic traditions.
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The Era of the Flapper: The 1920s witnessed the rise of the 'Flapper,' symbolizing a liberated, independent woman challenging societal norms. Makeup became a tool for self-expression and empowerment, enabling women to redefine femininity.
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Prominent Personalities: Figures like Helena Rubinstein contributed significantly to the beauty industry. Rubinstein's assertion about women's desire for youth and beauty underscores the era's emphasis on aesthetics and self-care.
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Besame Cosmetics: Founded by Gabriela Hernández, Besame Cosmetics stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage-inspired makeup. Their 1920s cake mascaras and lipsticks capture the essence of the Roaring Twenties, resonating with contemporary consumers seeking retro beauty products.
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Evolution of Beauty Standards: The 1920s witnessed a departure from traditional beauty norms. Hollywood stars like Clara Bow popularized iconic makeup looks, including the 'cupids bow' lips and dark, defined eyes, setting enduring beauty trends.
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Diversity in Beauty: Kathy Lee Peiss's insights shed light on the differential beauty standards and products marketed to women of color during the 1920s. This underscores the nuanced intersections of race, gender, and beauty in historical contexts.
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Cosmetic Innovations: The 1920s heralded numerous cosmetic innovations, from the introduction of eyeliner inspired by Egyptian motifs to patent disputes over lipstick containers. Brands like Tre-Jur, Peggy Sage, and Charles of the Ritz emerged as frontrunners, further diversifying the beauty market.
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Cultural Impact: The 1920s encapsulate a transformative period in beauty history, reflecting broader societal shifts, technological advancements, and evolving gender dynamics. From the democratization of makeup through department store counters to the emergence of iconic beauty icons, this era continues to inspire contemporary beauty trends and narratives.
Further Reading and Exploration:
- Explore comprehensive histories and vintage makeup guides to delve deeper into 1920s beauty trends.
- Engage with resources such as Glamourdaze.com for curated insights, tutorials, and historical context.
- Investigate patent archives and vintage advertisem*nts to understand the commercial and cultural dimensions of 1920s cosmetics.
In summary, the 1920s represent a pivotal period in the evolution of makeup and beauty culture, characterized by innovation, liberation, and enduring aesthetic influences.
