Health & Medical Beauty & Style

Fifties Makeup Styles

By Health & Medical Last updated Tuesday, October/08/2024

1950s Makeup

Color movies in the 1950s showed movie stars with perfect skin and makeup. These images resulted in a rush to emulate the look. Pancake makeup was borne of this desire to hide imperfections. Max Factor capitalized on this desire by creating pancake makeup. He also released a range of eye shadows and lipsticks. Turquoise eye shadows were in demand that decade as were cherry red lips.
Later in the decade, titanium was added to makeup to tone down the brightness and lips went from strictly matte to lips with a slight sheen. Magazines began writing in-depth about how to apply lipstick with the release of lip brushes and girls and women began mixing their own lipstick colors.

Pale skin was the norm in the fifties. To create the look of makeup from the 1950s it's important to start with a peaches and cream complexion. This served as the beginning of a trend that focused on a more natural look. Foundation was either liquid or pressed powder. The intent for foundation, which was part of the daily routine, was to reflect a soft feminine look and flawless skin sans blemishes. Any blush and eyeshadow was applied over foundation and foundation powder.

Eye shadow was minimal and natural looking. Eye shadows were also kept to neutral, pale colors, including blues and greens. During the day time, shadows were applied only to the lid. Women used liquid eyeliner only on the top lid. Mascara was applied with a light hand.

Eye brows were usually thinned and plucked with an arch. This was thought to give an appearance of innocence. Women loved pastels in the 1950s. Favorite lip colors were pink and red. Lighter colors were worn in the daytime. Lipstick was applied generously and was usually matte.

For a 50s night on the town look, go sultry. Foundation was the same peachy tone, but combined with a luminous powder. Eye shadow was applied beyond just the lid and blended to a smoky appearance. Liquid eyeliner was again applied to the upper lid with a sharp, highly defined contour and mascara was applied generously and thicker than in the day time. For lips, red lipstick was the favorite night color.