Cosmetics in the 1920s were characterized by their use to create a specific look: lips painted in the shape of a Cupid's bow, kohl-rimmed eyes, and bright cheeks brushed with bright red blush. [1]
Cosmetics in the 1920s were characterized by their use to create a specific look: lips painted in the shape of a Cupid's bow, kohl-rimmed eyes, and bright cheeks brushed with bright red blush. [1]
The heavily made-up look of the 1920s was a reaction to the demure, feminine Gibson Girl of the pre-war period. [1] In the 1920s, an international beauty culture was forged, and society increasingly focused on novelty and change. [1] [2] Fashion trends influenced theater, films, literature, and art. [1]
The introduction of makeup was reasonably new to the society. Women were figuring out methods to apply it correctly, which later defined makeup looks.
Women also found a new need to wear more make-up, as a skewed postwar sex ratio created a new emphasis on sexual beauty. [2] Additionally, as women began to enter the professional world, publications such as the French Beauty Industry encouraged women to wear makeup to look their best while competing with men for employment. [2]
Lipstick became widely popular after Maurice Levy's 1915 invention of the metal lipstick container. [3] It was available in salve, liquid, and stick forms, [3] and long-lasting, indelible stains were the most popular. [3] Women chose their lipstick based on their skin complexion for a more natural look. Lip pomade, also called lip gloss, was later invented by Max Factor, Sr. in an effort to provide a glamorous appearance to actress' lips on film. [4] Soon after, 'natural' lip gloss was created, which used bromo acid to create a red effect as it reacted with the wearer's skin. [3] Finally, flavored lipstick was also popular, with the most popular variety being cherry. [3]
In 1916, Max Factor began selling eye shadow and eyebrow pencils. This was the first time such products were available outside of the movie industry. Max continued to be a driving force behind make-up until his death in 1938. In 1991, his company became a part of the Procter & Gamble family. [4]
In the 1920s, different products were also developed that showed the decade's preoccupation with shaping the mouth. [3] Metal lip tracers, made in various sizes to satisfy the wishes of the wearer, were developed to ensure flawless lipstick application. Helena Rubinstein created a product called "Cupid's Bow," that billed itself as a "self-shaping lipstick that forms a perfect cupid's bow as you apply it." [3] The development of the mirrored lipstick container in the 1920s also points to the importance of shaping the lips through the application of lipstick. [3]
During the 1920s, the messy elixir blushes of past years were replaced by creams, powders, liquids, and rouge papers. [3] Powder blushes became more popular after the invention of spill-proof containers and the compact. [3] Blush was applied in circular motions on the cheek and occasionally on the knees depending on the type of woman you identify within society.
Indelible blushes, like indelible lipsticks, were popular. [3]
In the early 1920s many women fulfilled their desire for darker fuller lashes by resorting to the use of common household products. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) was mixed with soot or coal. The resulting solution was a dark gel that was then applied to the lashes with a fine brush.
During the middle of the decade, mascara was available in cake, tube, wax, and liquid form and applied with a brush. Surprisingly enough, there were even waterproof formulations available.
The various forms of brush-on mascara served to darken the lashes but did not provide the sculpting abilities of modern-day mascara wands. For this, ladies used eyelash curlers such as the then popular Kurlash.
Eyebrows in the 1920s were very thin, resembling a straight line pointing downward toward the outside corner of the eye. Natural colors like black and brown colored eyebrows were in style. Clara Bow, famous for her dramatic Cupid's bow eyebrows.
Cosmetics are constituted mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources, or synthetically created ones. Cosmetics have various purposes. Those designed for personal care and skin care can be used to cleanse or protect the body or skin. Cosmetics designed to enhance or alter one's appearance (makeup) can be used to conceal blemishes, enhance one's natural features, add color to a person's face, or change the appearance of the face entirely to resemble a different person, creature or object. Cosmetics can also be designed to add fragrance to the body.
A pin-up model is a model whose mass-produced pictures and photographs have wide appeal within the popular culture of a society. Pin-up models are usually glamour models, actresses, and fashion models whose pictures are intended for informal, aesthetic display, such as being pinned onto a wall. Beginning in the 1940s, pictures of pin-up girls were also known as cheesecake in the U.S.
Lip gloss is a cosmetic used primarily to give lips a glossy luster, and sometimes to add a subtle color. It is distributed as a fluid or a soft solid The product is available in ranges of opacity from translucent to solid and can have variously frosted, glittery, glossy, and metallic finishes.
Mascara is a cosmetic commonly used to enhance the upper and lower eyelashes. It is used to darken, thicken, lengthen, and/or define the eyelashes. Normally in one of three forms—liquid, powder, or cream—the modern mascara product has various formulas; however, most contain the same basic components of pigments, oils, waxes, and preservatives. The most common form of mascara is a liquid in a tube with an application brush.
Max Factor is a line of cosmetics from Coty, founded in 1909 as Max Factor & Company by Maksymilian Faktorowicz.
Lipstick is a cosmetic product used to apply coloration and texture to lips, often made of wax and oil. Different pigments are used to produce color, and minerals such as silica may be used to provide texture. The use of lipstick dates back to early civilizations such as Sumer and the Indus Valley Civilisation, and was popularized in the Western world in the 16th century. Some lipsticks contain traces of toxic materials, such as lead and PFAS, which prompted health concerns and regulation.
Rouge, also called blush or blusher, is a cosmetic for coloring the cheeks in a variety of shades, or the lips red. It is applied as a powder, cream or liquid.
Eye shadow is a cosmetic applied primarily to the eyelids to attract attention to the wearer's eyes, making them stand out or look more attractive. Eye shadow can also be applied under the eyes, on the cheeks, or to brow bones.
Parfums Christian Dior is the perfumery and cosmetics line of the French fashion house, Christian Dior SE. However, the line belongs to the perfumes and cosmetics portfolio of the world's largest luxury group, the LVMH Group. Nevertheless, both Christian Dior SE and LVMH are headed by chairman Bernard Arnault, and Christian Dior SE is the major shareholder of LVMH.
The history of cosmetics spans at least 7,000 years and is present in almost every society on earth. Cosmetic body art is argued to have been the earliest form of a ritual in human culture. The evidence for this comes in the form of utilised red mineral pigments including crayons associated with the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa. Cosmetics are mentioned in the Old Testament—2 Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyelids—approximately 840 BC—and the book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well.
Foundation is a liquid, cream, or powder makeup applied to the face and neck to create an even, uniform color to the complexion, cover flaws and, sometimes, to change the natural skin tone. Some foundations also function as a moisturizer, sunscreen, astringent or base layer for more complex cosmetics. Foundation applied to the body is generally referred to as "body painting" or "body makeup".
Western cosmetics in the 1970s reflected the multiple roles ascribed to the modern woman. For the first time since 1900, make-up was chosen situationally, rather than in response to monolithic trends. The era's two primary visions were the feminist-influenced daytime "natural look" and the sexualized evening aesthetic presented by European designers and fashion photographers. In the periphery, punk and glam were also influential. The struggling cosmetics industry attempted to make a comeback, using new marketing and manufacturing practices.
Lip liner, also known as a lip pencil, is a cosmetic product. It is intended to fill in uneven areas on the outer edges of the lips before applying lipstick to give a more even shape. It is also used to outline the lips, keeping lipstick inside the lip area and preventing it from "bleeding", to suggest the illusion of larger size, or to create a sharper demarcation between lips and skin so that the lips stand out more.
Theatrical makeup is makeup that is used to assist in creating the appearance of the characters that actors portray during a theater production.
A cosmetic primer is a cream applied before another cosmetic to improve coverage and lengthen the amount of time the cosmetic lasts on the face.
e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. is an American cosmetics brand based in Oakland, California. It was founded by Joseph Shamah and Scott Vincent Borba in 2004. Items include bath and skin-care products, mineral-based makeup, professional tools, eyeliners, lipstick, glosses, blushes, bronzers, brushes, and mascara, among others.
A makeup brush is a tool with bristles, used for the application of makeup or face painting. The bristles may be made out of natural or synthetic materials, while the handle is usually made out of plastic or wood. When cosmetics are applied using the appropriate brush, they blend better onto the skin.
Kylie Cosmetics, LLC is an American cosmetics company founded by Kylie Jenner. The company began selling Kylie Lip Kits, a liquid lipstick and lip liner set, on November 30, 2015. Formerly known as Lip Kit by Kylie, the company was renamed Kylie Cosmetics in 2016.
Jeffree Star Cosmetics is an American cosmetics company founded by Internet personality and musician Jeffree Star. Star invested his life savings to start the company's makeup line in 2014, later detailing the bankruptcy he had been facing following his music career. It launched with three liquid lipstick colors. The company is estimated to sell US$100 million annually. All products are vegan and cruelty-free. The company is co-owned by Star and his business partner Jeff Cohen.
Bésame Cosmetics, Inc. is a color cosmetics/makeup company founded in 2004 and based in Los Angeles, California. It was founded by makeup historian and author Gabriela Hernandez, who is the current C.E.O. Bésame Cosmetics recreates makeup shades, packaging, and products from the 1920s-1970s. They are known for their cake mascara, several collaborations with the Walt Disney Company, and creating the lipstick worn by actress Hayley Atwell on the ABC Marvel show Agent Carter.
De Castelbajac, Kate. The Face of the Century: 100 Years of Makeup and Style. Rizzoli International Publications (1995), ISBN 0-8478-1895-0.
Mychaskiw, M. (2015). The Most Popular Brow Shapes by the Decade. InStyle. https://www.instyle.com/beauty/eyes/history-eyebrows?slide=872c2225-4a8e-4db7-bbc5-778dc9931cc6.
Says, B. F., Says, V. D., Says, J., & Says, D. S. (2013). 1920s Makeup Starts the Cosmetics Industry - History. Vintage Dancer. https://vintagedancer.com/1920s/makeup-starts-the-cosmetics-industry/.
