1920's Period Makeup

In order to create a period makeup, whether it be 1920’s, 50’s or even 80’s, I think it is important to first understand where the makeup styles of that era originate from.  Without knowing what influenced the makeup used, the ways in which it was applied, the fashions worn and the hairstyles of an era you wouldn’t be able to fully capture the essence of that period.

  

Throughout history, particularly after the First World War, fashion, hair, makeup and popular culture has been seen to change periodically in approximately 10 year intervals – usually following a very influential historical event.  With this, each decade lays claim to very different and individual fashion trends, hairstyles, makeup products and lip, eye and cheek shapes. 

The 1920’s arose following the end of WWI where woman had for too long endured a great deal of loss, hardship, and sadness and as a result the 20’s saw in a time where young woman wanted to live outrageously and feel alive.  This period in time gave birth to "The Flappers" and has since been known as the "Roaring Twenties". 

Young women decided to oppose all that had ever been expected of women in the past – they traded their tight corsets and long gowns in for straight cut, short dresses and cut their long hair off into short bobs.  Women in the 20’s took up smoking and partying, became promiscuous and even broke the Prohibition law by consuming alcohol in clubs.  Their attitudes was reflected in everything they did.

The makeup of this time also reflected the rebellion of young Flappers as their lipstick became a very intense, dark red, with dark smoky eyes and bold round blush.  The music of this time also influenced the makeup and hair of the era.  The birth of jazz and swing also ushered in cabaret dancers – which allowed for the makeup to be even more emphasised, bold and daring.  The hairstyles were also broadened from not only a straight cut bob but to also include the shingle and eton cuts – worn straight or styled in finger waves.  

Exploring this era in history I was fascinated by the rebellion and rawness of the women of this time - this being one of the reasons I have decided to create a 1920's influenced period makeup for my assessment next week in addition to a 1940's look. 

 Whilst I am planning a very standard 1940’s ‘working woman’ look, for my practice leading up to my assessment I took a more modern approach with my 1920’s makeup.  I incorporated the famous 1920’s thin, downward slanting eyebrows with the petite yet angular lips that the Twenties are known for.   However, instead of sticking with the plain black smoked eyes, I went to the extreme. 

I went for a smoked pink and black eye over a pale, almost white, base, with lips that shaded from black on the outer line to a shimmer mauve-pink in the centre.  I retained the circular pink blushed cheeks of the Twenties, which were further emphasised by the white foundation.  I highlighted my models beauty spot by pencilling in tiny black love heart – bringing an almost circus feel to the look. 

The final touch to my modernised 1920’s makeup was the inclusion of insanely and unrealistically large and flamboyant black eyelashes, which consisted of individual black feathers.  Once I placed the black bob-cut wig onto my model her transformation was complete.  I had myself a 1920’s doll-like character that hinted of the circus and something a little bit eerie and creepy.  

If I was going to critique my own work I'd admit that these are not the most spotless lips I've ever done, they were a little crooked and I'll make sure to concentrate more on creating a balanced perfect lip shape for my assessment.  Overall though, I was happy with the result, what I had envisioned in my mind was fairly close to what I’d ended up with – it’s always nice when that happens.