The 50s

A Brief History of 1950’s Makeup

A concise illustrated guide to 1950s makeup looks and cosmetic developments, featuring the key styles for women in that decade.

The age of makeup entered its golden age in the 1950’s. For the first time, unknown models began to rival the big Hollywood names in becoming the ‘face’ of makeup brands.

In Britain Gala of London marketed a real sense of Haute Couture to their makeup range. However when conjuring up the 1950s makeup look it’s difficult not to see the faces of those glamorous post-war beauty icons – Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day, Ava Gardner, the list goes on and on.

The Key Makeup Looks of the 1950’s

The 1950’s was a glamorous decade. Creams foundations and shadows were the in thing. It was the era of the ‘mask effect’. A thick creamy application of foundation and flesh colored powders to set. Eyebrows still a natural look but more tapered and feminine. Rouges were less emphasized than in the 1940’s. If there was a color to define the 1950’s – it has to be pink. Pink hues in shadows and reddish pink lipsticks.

Foundation – A cream ivory base, and cream or liquid foundation near to natural skin color.
Powders – brushed on flesh colored powder to set.
Eyes – subtle shadows on lid – taped out to shimmering pale brow.
Eyeliner – the wing effect became popular in the 1950’s.
Lashes – subtle and applied usually to the upper lashes.
Rouges – pastel and rose colors applied to the apple of the cheek.
Lips – many tutorials advised creating a ‘smile’ effect with lipsticks. Achieved by drooping.

Mascara from brand leaders such as Maybelline was an imperative cosmetic to have in your handbag. Though it wasn’t until the 1960’s that women applied it again to lower lashes again [ as in the 1920’s ]. Loads of newly patented cosmetic tools like eyelash curlers and eyebrow stencils helped young women achieve the look of whatever starlet took their fancy.

The Cat eye-line or the winged tip which defines the current retro pinup look – such a simple innovation, added real glamour to a girls eyes and was often preferred by women to a heavy eye shadow look.

1950’s Makeup Products

The leading name today for vintage 1950’s style makeup is Besame Cosmetics. Founded by Gabriela Hernandez, their beautifully packaged products celebrate vintage makeup like no other brand.

Marilyn Monroe’s favorite shade is this 1950’s red hot red lipstick. It’s fire engine red color will bring out the bombshell in any woman. Like all their lipsticks, this is a true replica of a 1950’s lipstick.

Skin improvement cosmetics began to sell as fast as the old traditional ‘face paint’. The consumer race was on to create the perfect youth preserving cosmetics. In 1949-50 Hazel Bishop unveiled to much excitement the first non smear lipstick. Revlon followed this with their own by own non-smear lipstick’ in 1953. The ruling shades were pastels in the 1950’s and pink lipstick replaced the reds for a time as the lip color of choice – especially among younger women. Audrey Hepburn once declared that she ”believed in pink!” and who could argue with Audrey?

A much heavier makeup look for the face was in order with liquid foundations and loose powder appearing on dressing tables again. The eye shadow look of this decade was much more minimal than in previous decades, eye-shadows now containing shimmer and a huge palette of colors.

Revlon produced ‘eye-shadow palettes’ with two or three shades to create a specific look. A soft but definite eye line and eyebrows a slightly darker shade than the natural.

In 1954 Avon (founded in 1886) launched their “Ding Dong Avon calling” campaign and became one of the longest running and most successful advertising campaigns in history. By 1957 there were over 100,000 Avon representatives.

Notable brands to appear in the 1950s included Biotherm (1952), Clarins (1954), Shiseido International ( 1957).

Beauty Icons in the 50s

Marilyn Monroe

One of the greatest icons of all time, Marilyn Monroe's signature red lip and beauty mark have been imitated too many times to count.

Arguably the most influential icon of the 1950’s, Marilyn Monroe’s style and look has been imitated and continues to be imitated even today. From the countless magazine covers emulating her look to photo reproductions being sold in nearly every souvenir shop in New York City, her legacy is undeniable. While Marilyn’s physique was deemed more suitable for magazine pinup advertisements than fashion modeling, she didn’t let that stop her from creating a persona and style that would change not only fashion, but makeup and hairstyles for decades and well into the next century. Her blonde hair, pointy bras, and hourglass figure have helped turn her into a truly enduring beauty icon, even today!

Audrey Hepburn

Almost the complete antithesis to Marilyn Monroe was Audrey Hepburn, the slim, wholesome brunette from England who burst onto the scene in the famous fifties. Her wide brown eyes and thick dark eyebrows helped develop what would become known as the “Hepburn Look”, causing women around the world to try and imitate her hair and makeup to reproduce her look. While Marilyn was a vivacious and sultry pin-up girl, Audrey was the reserved girl in the black dress… oh that black dress. Probably second only to Marilyn’s famous subway grate scene in The Seven Year Itch, the poster for Breakfast at Tiffany’s has to be one of the most iconic fashion images of the 1950’s. Made by Givenchy, that little black dress might be one of the most important articles of influential clothing of all time.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor, the two-time Academy Award winner for best actress, and the six-time nominee was the one of the most successful actress of her time. She had an amazing string of hit movies, and she starred opposite of all of the leading men of the time from James Dean to Rock Hudson. Her lavish jewelry was the envy of every woman, as was her porcelain skin and soft curly hair.

Modernized 50s Looks

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