History of Makeup : Vintage Makeup Through the Ages
Many vintage makeup trends across history have left their mark. For instance, the revolutionary flapper girl of the 1920s set a bold precedent, while the defined lashes of the 1960s showcased a different kind of elegance. Moreover, makeup trends not only define a decade’s beauty standards but also mirror the history, culture, and society of each era.
This blog post explores the major trends that defined each decade of the early to mid-1900s. We offer an insight into how makeup has evolved from ancient times to the beauty counters we shop at today.
Let’s delve into the captivating history of vintage makeup and uncover the stories behind these iconic looks! We have also written a handy guide for beginners starting a vintage makeup collection.
History of Makeup Before the 20th Century
The use of makeup and cosmetics isn’t a new phenomenon. In many cultures, makeup was used by the wealthy to signify social status and enhance features relating to good health.
On the flip side of the coin, makeup was sometimes seen as inappropriate. Therefore, it was reserved for people practicing prostitution. Makeup has also played a role in other industries, such as the theatre and the opera.
Examples of the Use of Makeup in Pre-1900s History
Nowadays you may walk into a Sephora and find yourself browsing the cosmetics on endless rows of makeup counters. However, makeup counters are a fairly new concept that developed circa 100 years ago. They arose after the Victorian Era when the stigma of wearing makeup wore off in the early 1900s.
The makeup trends across the 20th century flip-flopped between a bold and dramatic look and a more natural vibe. Unsurprisingly, this is a tale as old as time, as trends often swing from one end of a spectrum to the other.
A previous post on Nostalgia Nook Antiques highlighted the U-turn in womenswear fashion trends in the 1920s.
A Summary Of The Historical Beauty Trends Across the 1900s:
- A natural, soft look was favored in the 1910s.
- Followed by a rise in dramatic makeup in the 20s.
- The 1930s bridged the gap between the 20s and 40s with an influence from both Old Hollywood makeup and the Great Depression.
- But of course, as expected, the 1940s revived the minimalistic look.
- This look fell off again during the 50s when bold looks, such as dramatic eyeliner, came back into fashion.
- 1960s makeup was a continuation of the 50s with a twist. 60s makeup is iconic yet minimal as it sits between two contrasting decades.
- The natural look came back around the 1970s.
- Only to be stamped on by the wild punk era of the 80s
- And you guessed it! The 1990s finished off the century as it started with a natural approach to makeup with fresh-faced, youthful faces.
Details of Makeup From the 1920s - 1960s
1920s
The Roaring Twenties featured flamboyant, fabulous, and flapper-inspired makeup. The features of this decade include bold lips with a sharp cupid’s bow, red lips, and smokey black kohl eyeliner.
Read more about the look of the 20s in our previous post about the history of fashion in this decade.
1930s
The trends in the 20s were worlds apart from the previous decades. Therefore, the 30s reined it back in with a new age of elegance. The looks of the 30s are less iconic than the makeup of the surrounding decades.
Interestingly, the current makeup trends of minimal makeup can be seen to emulate those of the 30s, such as the softer eyeshadows and rosy lips.
1940s
The pin-up girl popped up in the 40s. This aesthetic embraces femininity for its strength and allure. Looks of the 1940s often include winged liner and thin, defined, and expertly arched brows, and, like the dramatic 20s, the red lip saw a comeback.
Furthermore, glamor hairdos with rolls complemented the sultry looks of the decade.
1950s
The goal of 1950s women was to look elegant and timeless. Following the wartime glamour of the 40s, 1950s fashion trends favored a more graceful approach to glamorous makeup.
The most common looks of the 50s were pastel-colored eyeshadows, softer liner, and a timeless red lip. However, they still enjoyed embracing their femininity with full lashes and youthful, pink or red lips.
Bold Eyeshadows, Huge Lashes, and Calmed Lips
1960s
And as a tale as old as time could predict, the public soon grew tired of the minimalistic look from the 50s and opted for more graphic, high-fashion looks. With the help of celebrities, including Twiggy, trends included dramatic lashes and bold eyeshadows paired with muted lip colors.
These heavier eye makeups worked best with the iconic hairstyles of the time. Think sharp pixie cuts, voluminous beehives, and bobs.
1970s
One of our favorite looks is the free-spirited hippie 70s. This decade of boho styles was reflected in the vintage makeup with more earthy, natural tones. Nude lips and softer blushers were also indicative of the laid-back 70s.
Vintage Makeup Trends in the Present Day
You may notice that current makeup trends often take inspiration from the looks of the 1900s. For example, the dubbed ‘Millennial makeup trend’ from the mid-2010s favored sharp eyebrows and dramatic smokey eyes. In contrast, Gen Z has adopted a ‘clean-girl aesthetic,’ focusing on a lighter look with minimal mascara.
How to Start a Vintage Makeup Collection
To start a beginner vintage makeup collection, you could focus on collecting certain brands or types of products. Or you could draw inspiration from icons of each era, such as Marilyn Monroe (50s and early 60s) or Twiggy (mid to late 60s).
Here are some specific vintage makeup products and vintage makeup brands to look out for:
Vintage Makeup Products and Tools to Collect
- Black Honey by Clinique, original formula released in 1971
- Flawless Finish Foundation and original 8-hour Miracle Cream by Elizabeth Arden in 1930
- Benetint cheek and lip stain made by Benefit in 1976 (originally this product was brought out for use on the nipples!)
- Great Lash Mascara by Maybelline from 1971
- Pan Stik and Creme Puff by Max Factor from 1947 and 1953, respectively
- Little Round Pot of Blush made by Bourjois in 1863
Vintage Cosmetic Brands to Collect - Rimmel—since 1834 (just to confirm, this is not a typo!) Rimmel really is this long-standing.
- Bourjois – from 1863
- Coty – from 1904
- Max Factor – 1909
- Elizabeth Arden—since 1910
- Maybelline – from 1915
Volupté – from 1920 - Revlon – from 1932
- Lancôme – from 1935
- Dior – from 1946
- CoverGirl—from 1961
- Clinique – from 1968
Where possible, we recommend purchasing unopened products for sanitary purposes. However, if you do wish to purchase used makeup, use a sanitary spray to disinfect it. Then store them in an airtight container, away from sunlight, to aid the preservation of the collectibles.
How to Recreate Vintage Makeup Looks Today
Now that you know the general makeup trends and looks from the decades in the early to mid-1900s, you may feel inspired to create some of these looks yourself.
To recreate vintage makeup on yourself, we recommend the highly knowledgeable and passionate makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. Not only can you find her expert tutorials on recreating vintage makeup on YouTube, but these videos also provide an educational experience to help you express your creativity through makeup. For instance, you can check out her 1920s-inspired makeup tutorial here!
Although it would be fun, using vintage makeup products is not recommended. It is not safe to use expired makeup on the face or skin.
Vintage Makeup
Now that you’re in the loop about the beauty trends and vintage makeup that have shaped the last century, why not explore which era fits your style? For example, are you drawn to the classic 1930s makeup vibe? Or perhaps you’re captivated by the glamour of the post-war 1950s? On the other hand, maybe the chill, easygoing vibes of the 1970s are more your speed.
No matter what your makeup vibe is, we truly hope you had fun diving into the makeup trends of the past and exploring these classic styles and favorite beauty products with us. After all, vintage makeup isn’t just something from back in the day—it’s a slice of history. Furthermore, it continues to shape the makeup we choose and use in our everyday routines.
Dive deeper into the world of Nostalgia and antiques with some of our other articles:
