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.