A Century of Makeup! - Part 1

1910's - The Mary Jane Kelly

Travelling way back in time to the start of the century it was taboo for women to wear makeup. God forbid a little bit of lipstick! Many people were disapproving of this because it was associated with prostitution. To avoid looking like a whore of sorts, upper-class ladies took part in back door entrance under the counter action. Alternatively, they would bite their lips and pinch their cheeks for that desired rosy glow. Wearing a powder of the palest colour was also popular to show that they did not take part in any kind of manual labour.

1920's - The Daisy Buchanan

During the roaring 20s, pale skin was still popular, however, this was for a different reason. It was in order to exaggerate the main features of the face: eyes and lips. This is a turn from attempts to hide the fact they wore makeup and they began to celebrate it. Using makeup as was part of their feminist rebellion along with smoking in public and wearing leggy dresses. You would have to be blind not to notice the smoky, bold eyes. The thin eyebrows that ran into your temples were the height of fashion at the time. Eyebrows that would be seen as a joke as of today. Truth being that eyebrows of today would have been seen as joke back then      

1930's - The Ginger Rogers

Deep set eye looks were seen as ultra sultry and popular alongside rouge lips. This was during the Great Depression were everyone found themselves in ultimate difficulty. Deep in strict gender roles, women had no choice but to become housewives. With men's roles of being the breadwinner in trouble, no woman lost her job. Yet they still found their own difficulties as they were still depending on finding a man to marry in order to have a home. Women felt the need to wear makeup in hope to find a man. It may well be possible that this is why makeup is a form to avoid insecurity - despite how much I disagree with that and how it should just be used for fun and individuality.  

1940's - The Judy Garland

Midway through the 40's and after the war women faced grief and depression over the deaths and injuries of fathers, sons and husbands. The arched eyebrows sent the look into the future as today's brows are still a fan of the arch. Cat wing eyeliner came about during this time as well as different variety of lipsticks such as orangey-reds and pinks. For some makeup may have felt like an escape from the mourning and grief. Bringing some colour into their lives.

1950's - The Elizabeth Taylor

This decade brought about rockabilly and pin-up girls which inspired everyday woman's choice of makeup. Rouge lips and cat eyes were a must have in cosmetics and it gave women the ability to feel sensual without being disapproved. As it went on pin-up makeup and fashion gave women more and more confidence in themselves and their bodies. 

I AM THE WALLS - Flash Fiction

I saw all.

Despite the petty attempts of suffocating me with that tacky pattern, I saw all. Rimmed with yellow urban moss, I was not blinded by the nicotine. The stench that spewed from the cracks in the window (although repulsive) could not force me to leave. The flavours of futility swam through the room and into my throat. Still I would not bow out. The wuss of a door handle quivered as a cackle erupted behind it. We had a guest. 

Falling to the floor, a woman with matted hair glued together with vomit entered. Grasping the bed, she attempted to bring herself back up and off the ground. She failed. Her purse no longer on her person. God knows where that was. She didn't give a shit as long as the white powder she had was still wedged in her bra. A few sambuca shots later, she forgot it all. Sorting the coke into three lines, she realised there was no way she could sleep here another night.  

Our next guest was a man with an upturned pig nose. Some may argue this resembled his true identity. With his ring conveniently lost in the midst of his bag, a girl showed up. Thus, there were a few cracks in his vows. When three minutes of fun were over, he realised that there was no way he could sleep here another night.   

Our final guest paid a visit hammer in hand. Knocking me off my feet with no mercy. The community thrived in pitiless happiness. The grungy motel was shutting down. That's when I realised there was no way I could sleep here another night.

I saw all.

Drugstore VS High-End Liquid Lipstick

Liquid lipsticks have been a Godsend compared to the high maintenance of lipsticks. Now there is an option for a red lip that doesn't bleed or transfer. Awesome. Yet there are only a few options so far.  As a potential liquid lipstick junkie, I have tested and compared a drugstore brand to a high-end brand so you can join me in this love for them. In the drugstore corner is L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour in shades 113 Invincible Sable and 506 Red Infallible with a pro-seal lip balm sidekick. And in the high-end corner is the Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in shades Posh Spice and Redrum weighing in at 0.19 oz.

ROUND ONE - COST

When it comes to affordability drugstore is an obvious win. In the UK L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour price stands at £9.99. Alternatively, Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks are harder to find in the UK. Luckily, I discovered the website www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk that have some American must-haves. On this site, the velour liquid lipsticks cost £14.00 with a £3.95 postage rate. This is a factor to take in when deciding on which one to get.

ROUND TWO - PACKAGING

Both drugstore and high-end's packagings are very sturdy. However, the shape is very different. From L'Oreal's squared off edges compared with Jeffree Star's cylinder features to the sophisticated black of L'Oreal compared with Jeffree Star's chic rose gold. When it comes to travel friendliness, Jeffree Star's pocket size is a plus. L'Oreal is a bit too long to be travel-friendly yet its thinness means it must be able to fit in certain makeup bags - even if squeezed in.

The liquid lipsticks both have a doe foot applicator which makes applying it much easier. Yet Jeffree Star's applicator is more unusual as it is more curved and flexible making the application process, even more, easy and is very lip hugging. The lip balm of L'Oreal's liquid lipstick is the perfect shape for lips.

ROUND THREE - MORALITY

L'Oreal are no longer testing on animals however, one thing to take into account is that there is an exception if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes. In comparison, Jeffree Star's products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

ROUND FOUR - PIGMENT

Both brands are extremely pigmented. One thing to take into account about liquid lipsticks, in general, is that they are almost always matte. This is a massive bonus for me due to my love for matte, yet this is not the same for everyone.

Posh Spice: A 90's nude shade with tones of browns and greys in it.
Invincible Sable: A mix between the shades of taupe and rose nude. 
RedRum: A true blue red. 
Red Infallible: A red with a hint of orange making it brighter.

ROUND FIVE - WEAR TIME

L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour is defiantly infallible. After five hours of wear and breakfast and lunch, the liquid lipstick had stayed put. It faded slightly in the inner rim which took seconds to reapply and was not a problem in the slightest.

As for Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks, it is also super long wearing. One minuscule problem I found was addressed on the box it came in where it stated to 'Avoid food with oil... and no making out, kisses are ok!' With the experience of both, I discovered that this is a tip not to ignore.   

ROUND SIX - COMFORT

Drugstore brand L'Oreal have crafted the liquid lipstick to be a part of a handy lip duo with a lip balm. And with great reason as I found out! In a rush, I didn't want to waste valuable minutes waiting for it to dry so I could use the lip balm. Once out the door, I found my lips sticking together as the liquid lipstick almost formed as a glue. Nonetheless, with the lip balm, it is only slightly drying. Most of the time I managed to forget about it which is a plus.

The Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipsticks although slightly drying are super comfy. Yet due to the fact it is slightly high maintenance, it is slightly uncomfortable. This is defiantly not going to stop me wearing these and purchasing more as they are amazing.

RESULTS

Both L'Oreal's Infallible 24h Lip Colour and Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks are great quality and are correct when they claim to last hours. They are great purchases and would recommend both. Just depends on the colours and price that you wish.