The Roaring Twenties! A decade of jazz, flappers, and revolutionary fashion, and of course, iconic makeup. The 1920s aesthetic, with its bold brows, dramatic eyes, and cupid’s bow lips, continues to inspire today. If you’re looking to recreate the glamour of the era, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, providing you with the knowledge and techniques to achieve an authentic 1920s makeup look.
Understanding the 1920s Makeup Philosophy
Before we dive into the step-by-step application, let’s understand the key elements that defined 1920s makeup. It was all about creating a youthful, almost doll-like appearance, a stark contrast to the more natural looks of previous decades. The main focuses were:
- Pale Complexion: A light, matte finish was essential. Tan was associated with working-class life, so a pale face was the ideal.
- Dramatic Eyes: Dark, heavily lined eyes were crucial. The goal was to make the eyes look larger and more expressive.
- Thin, Downward-Sloping Brows: Natural brows were reshaped into thin, defined lines that often extended beyond the outer corner of the eye and sloped slightly downwards.
- Cupid’s Bow Lips: Lips were painted in a defined, almost heart-shaped style, emphasizing the center of the upper lip.
- Rouge: Applied in circular motions on the apples of the cheeks, creating a flushed and youthful effect.
What You’ll Need: Your 1920s Makeup Arsenal
To create this iconic look, you’ll need the following makeup products:
- Light Foundation: Choose a foundation that’s a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. Opt for a matte finish.
- Loose Powder: To set your foundation and create a matte base.
- Dark Brown or Black Eyeliner: A pencil or gel liner will work best.
- Dark Eyeshadow: Matte black or dark brown eyeshadow is essential.
- Mascara: Black mascara to enhance the lashes.
- Eyebrow Pencil or Powder: To reshape and darken your brows. Choose a shade that’s slightly darker than your natural hair color.
- Red or Burgundy Lipstick: For the classic cupid’s bow lip. A matte finish is preferred.
- Rouge (Blush): A rosy pink or red blush.
- Makeup Brushes: Including a foundation brush, powder brush, eyeliner brush, eyeshadow brushes, and a lip brush.
- Cotton Swabs: For cleaning up mistakes.
- Makeup Remover: For any corrections needed.
Step-by-Step Guide to 1920s Makeup Application
Now, let’s begin with the detailed step-by-step application process:
Step 1: Preparing Your Canvas – The Foundation
- Cleanse and Moisturize: Begin with a clean and moisturized face. This will create a smooth base for your makeup and prevent it from looking cakey. Apply a light moisturizer and allow it to absorb fully before moving to the next step.
- Apply Foundation: Using a foundation brush or sponge, apply your chosen light foundation all over your face, ensuring even coverage. Blend it carefully into your hairline and jawline to avoid any harsh lines. Remember, the aim is to achieve a pale, matte finish.
- Set with Powder: Once the foundation is evenly applied, use a large powder brush to set it with loose powder. This step is crucial for achieving the matte finish characteristic of the 1920s. Focus on areas prone to shine, such as the forehead, nose, and chin.
Step 2: Sculpting the Brows – The Thin, Defined Arch
- Conceal and Reshape: This is arguably the most challenging part of recreating the 1920s look, as it involves dramatically altering the natural brow shape. If you have very thick brows, you may need to use a bit of concealer to neutralize the outer half of your natural brow, so you have a new clean slate to work on. You can use concealer to define the area just above your eyebrow to create a slimmer look.
- Draw the New Shape: Using your eyebrow pencil or powder, begin to draw the desired thin, downward-sloping line. The highest point of the arch should be shifted slightly inwards compared to your natural brow. Extend the line slightly beyond the outer corner of your eye and give it a slight downward slant. The line should be thin, but avoid making it look too pointy. Remember, the goal is to make them look dramatic, but not sharp or cartoonish. It is important to create the same shape in both eyebrows. Take your time and look in the mirror as you do this. You could use an eyebrow stencil or tape to help you achieve this shape. If you’re just using an eyebrow pencil, start with light strokes and gradually build to the shape you’re after.
- Fill In: Once you’ve created the shape, fill it in with light, feathery strokes. You are creating the illusion of having had your eyebrows plucked and reshaped, not painted on, so take your time. The inner part of the eyebrows, closer to your nose, should be slightly lighter than the outer part, giving it a subtle gradient.
- Set the Brows: You can use a clear eyebrow gel to set the shape if desired. This step is not required, but helps to keep the brow in place and can add a bit more definition to it, especially if you have coarse brow hair.
Step 3: Mastering the Eyes – The Dramatic Gaze
- Apply Eyeshadow: Using a flat eyeshadow brush, apply your chosen dark eyeshadow (black or dark brown) all over your upper eyelid, from the lash line to just above the crease. You don’t want to blend the eyeshadow too much. Keep it as a block color and give it a semi-matte or matte finish. Don’t take the eyeshadow outwards or upwards, focus on keeping the shape relatively contained within the eyelid.
- Line the Upper Lash Line: Using your black or dark brown eyeliner, apply a thick line along your upper lash line, starting from the inner corner of your eye and extending slightly past the outer corner of your eye. The line should be thicker at the outer corner to emphasize a more elongated and dramatic eye shape. You can create a straight line or give it a small upward flick, but keep it contained and don’t try to make it a cat eye. It should look quite dramatic, as it is the main focal point of the eye.
- Line the Lower Lash Line: Line your lower lash line with the same eyeliner, starting from the outer corner and extending to about halfway towards the inner corner. Blend the line slightly with a small brush to soften the edges. Again, you can keep this relatively sharp, or soften slightly.
- Apply Mascara: Finish the eye makeup by applying several coats of black mascara to both your upper and lower lashes. Pay special attention to the outer lashes to emphasize the eye’s shape and overall effect. If desired, you can use an eyelash curler to give your lashes a lift before applying mascara. You could also use false eyelashes. Make sure to keep the lashes straight rather than curling them upwards.
Step 4: Creating the Cupid’s Bow Lips – The Heart-Shaped Pout
- Outline the Lips: Using your red or burgundy lip liner, carefully outline your lips, focusing on creating the classic cupid’s bow shape. This involves defining a sharp peak at the center of your upper lip. The corners of your mouth should be defined and relatively sharp. The goal is to create a defined, heart-shaped look. The lower lip should also be outlined, following your natural shape but making the corners sharper than natural.
- Fill in the Lips: Using a lip brush, fill in the outline with your chosen red or burgundy lipstick. Work carefully to ensure a smooth, even finish within the defined outline. Blot with a tissue to remove excess lipstick. You can apply a second coat to create more opacity and intensity.
- Perfect the Shape: If needed, use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to refine the edges of your lips and make sure the shape is crisp and clean. The cupid’s bow is the most important part of the lips for this look. Be sure to use a lip brush and be careful not to round the shape of the lips.
Step 5: The Finishing Touch – The Rosy Cheeks
- Apply Blush: Using a blush brush, apply a small amount of your chosen rosy pink or red blush to the apples of your cheeks. The application should be in a circular motion, creating a youthful, flushed appearance. Be careful not to apply blush too far towards the temples, as the focus is on the apples of your cheeks. The blush is not contoured, so keep the color focused on the fleshy part of the cheeks and try not to take it out too far.
- Blend: Blend the blush slightly outwards to soften any harsh edges and make it look more natural.
Tips and Tricks for a Flawless 1920s Look
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Recreating a 1920s makeup look takes practice, so keep experimenting until you feel confident.
- Use References: Look at pictures of 1920s movie stars and flappers to get a feel for the style and techniques. There are many pictures online you can use as a reference.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: While the basic principles of 1920s makeup are important, don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Play around with different shades and techniques to create your unique take on the look.
- Less is More: While the 1920s makeup is bold, avoid overdoing it. Focus on creating a defined look without making it appear too heavy.
- Pay Attention to Detail: Small details can make a big difference when recreating vintage looks. Take your time and pay attention to every step, from shaping your brows to outlining your lips.
- Take Your Time: Don’t rush. Applying makeup like this takes time, and doing it slowly is better than doing it quickly and not getting the desired result.
Completing Your 1920s Transformation
Once your makeup is complete, you can further enhance your 1920s transformation with the right hairstyle, clothing, and accessories. Here are a few suggestions:
- Hairstyles: The classic 1920s bob is the most iconic hairstyle for this era. If your hair is too long, you can create a faux bob by styling it up and under. You can also create finger waves or use other vintage hair styling techniques to further enhance the 1920s look.
- Clothing: Choose loose-fitting dresses or skirts with a dropped waistline, typical of 1920s fashion. Fringes, beads, and sequins are also great embellishments for this look.
- Accessories: Add a long string of pearls, a cloche hat, or a feathered headband to complete your 1920s-inspired outfit.
In Conclusion
Recreating 1920s makeup is a fun and rewarding experience. By following the steps and advice in this guide, you’ll be able to achieve a stunning and authentic look that captures the glamour and style of the Roaring Twenties. So, put on some jazz music, grab your makeup brushes, and get ready to step back in time!
Remember, practice makes perfect. Have fun experimenting with the look and don’t hesitate to put your own spin on this classic style.
