Learn everything you need to know about 50s makeup to do it like a pro!

Are you looking for chic and glamorous makeup for a party or event? Try the 50s makeup style!

From Audrey Hepburn to Marylin Monroe, via Liz Taylor, everyone popularized a way of makeup that has now become emblematic of this decade. Pin-ups and Vogue magazine also helped make eyeliner combined with red lipstick known to as many people as possible.

It can be noted that this style differs from that of 1940s makeup, which is more sober and less colorful. On the other hand, on the hair side, hairstyles from the 50s still give pride of place to curly, mid-length and lacquered hair.

So, ready to know everything about 50s makeup and learn how to do it very easily? So, follow the guide!

The context of the 1950s

Who popularized this style?

At this time, Haute Couture houses were booming , particularly in France.

The 1950s saw the appearance of Chanel's iconic Tweed suit and Dior's swing skirt. The Givenchy house is also gaining notoriety, thanks to film star Audrey Hepburn , who elegantly displays its creations in her films.

At the same time, the young actress popularized the most iconic makeup style of these years, namely eyeliner and luscious lips . Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell also helped popularize this look in the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

Finally, Vogue magazine also supports this trend, thanks to the models and actresses on the cover.

Examples of outfits

For an Audrey Hepburn look:

To imitate Liz Taylor's style:

Makeup from the 50s: characteristics

Face and skin

First of all, for the complexion, the trend was for porcelain doll skin, without imperfections.

We didn't hesitate to use excess foundation or choose one that was as thick as possible. The American cosmetics brand Max Factor has also launched the “pan-cake makeup” trend, which consists of a foundation with a fairly dense, heavy texture that is visible on the skin.

Regarding skin tone, the fashion is not yet for tanned complexions but rather, conversely, for pale complexions. This is revived by pink or peach cheekbones, always with the aim of having doll-like skin!

There was, moreover, a technique, used by Grace Kelly, to highlight the cheeks. It consisted of applying a light shadow as a base, on top of the cheekbone and a darker shadow under the latter to accentuate it.

Simple and effective, we could almost say that it is the ancestor of current contouring!

Eyes

As we saw earlier, for the eyes, it is eyeliner that is on the rise, propelled by Marylin Monroe or Audrey Hepburn to name a few. The line is fine, it goes up to the outer corner of the eye for a beautiful cat's eye effect.

The eyelashes are long and generally thin. Some icons of this era also use fairly light colored eyeshadow on the mobile part, to make the eyeliner and mascara stand out more.

Eyebrows

If the 1930s established very thin eyebrows as a beauty standard, in the 1950s, they were worn thicker. Often plucked despite everything, at the external part, the eyebrow is arched and long.

Lips

The essential red lipstick is undoubtedly one of the great classics of this era!

The fashion is for luscious lips , which is still the case today. But whether they were pin-ups or major internationally renowned actresses, no one went out without having applied an intense strawberry red to their lips!

Tutorial for doing 50s makeup

You need :

• A foundation with a thick texture preferably
• A concealer
• An eyeshadow base
• A peach or pink blush
• A loose powder
• An eyebrow pencil
• White or cream eyeshadow, if possible iridescent
• An eyeliner
• A mascara
• A red lipstick
• A red lip liner

Step 1: complexion

Using a makeup sponge, generously apply foundation to your entire face. Spread the concealer under your eyes , then blend it with a sponge.

Then apply the eyeshadow primer over the entire surface of the eyelid, up to the eyebrow. Using a large brush, put a little blush on the top of your cheekbones.

Then powder your entire face with a large brush or powder puff.

Step 2: eyebrows and eyes

Start by drawing the pencil line on the tip of the eyebrow, its outer part.

Slightly lengthen the eyebrow by drawing the hairs one by one, the final result will be more natural. Under the tip of the eyebrow, apply a little white or light eye shadow, you will accentuate the point of light located there.

Then draw a line of eyeliner. To achieve it for sure, you can start with the tip then connect it to the inner corner of your eye, taking care not to go too quickly and to keep the brush close to the eyelashes.

Then add mascara , making several coats until your eyelashes reach a satisfactory length. Be careful, however, not to overload the brush because the eyelashes must remain fine and without a “clump” effect.

Step 3: lips

Finally, let's move on to the last step of lip makeup. First outline your lips with red lip liner, slightly overflowing onto the Cupid's bow and the lower part of the lip.

You can now apply lipstick and you're done! You are ready to be complimented by everyone!

To conclude, remember that:

• The main features of makeup of this decade are thin black eyeliner, red lipstick, pink blush and thickly applied foundation.
• Popularized by cinema and modeling icons like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor or Marylin Monroe , this type of makeup was seen in films or in magazines like Vogue. 
• The clothes of this era are often very elegant, and haute couture houses also experienced a boom during this decade.

If you enjoyed this article and want to adopt a 50s star look, click on the 50s dresses section!