Historically Accurate Makeup: 1920's

I've always been a big fan of history, with a special interest in the evolution of beauty throughout our civilization. Beauty standards reflect so much about where a society is on a number of important levels. Plus, it's hella fun to recreate vintage looks. So for any of you ladies (or gents!) looking to rock the liberated, fun-loving flapper look, read on and you'll be dancing the Charleston at the nearest speakeasy in no time!

The 1920's was a revolutionary decade for beauty. Gone were the days of bare faces and the sort of stigma around cosmetics that forced well bred ladies to sneak around if they wanted to acquire any beautification tools. Makeup was no longer reserved only for prostitutes and lowly actresses, it existed for everyone. 
This newfound freedom lead the more daring of the era, generally those in the progressive flapper crowd, to use a heavy hand when applying their makeup. Dark eyes paired with dark lips were very much the thing. 

Silent film actress Clara Bow sporting the iconic look of the era.

• Unlike the thick, arched eyebrows of today, ladies of the 20’s opted for thin, rounded or flat brows that ended at their temples. Though I couldn't do much to combat the thickness of my own brows, I was able to flatten the arch and extend them using a dark brown eyeshadow.

• Pale skin was in. In fact, the term ‘Blue Bloods’ refers to the social elite of the period who kept out of the sun to such an extent that their skin was nearly transparently pale, enough to see the blue of their veins in some places. If you’re naturally pale, be sure to play it up. If you’re of a darker complexion, you can either opt for a foundation a few shades lighter than your own skin colour, or rock the heck out of what you got. I used a light coverage foundation a shade or two lighter than my own skin colour for this look.

• Downturned eyes and lips with over exaggerated cupid’s bows were very much in vogue. If you’re lacking in either, eye and lip liners can help you fake the look. I toyed with the idea of thinning out my lips, as it was stylish for lips of the era to be almost heart shaped and a good deal less full than my own, but ultimately decided against it. Feel free to play with your own lip size and shape though!

• Opt for a cooler toned brown eyeshadow in a dark colour. I used mine as a wash for all over the lids and then blended upwards to create a smokey effect, rather than adding a separate crease colour. This look is meant to be a bit hazy rather than polished.

• Lipstick should be a deep, opaque berry or brown red. Flappers were notorious for their rebellious, progressive nature, so vamp it up!

Products used:

• Caribbean Scents foundation in Tan Opal
• Key Botanicals concealer in Light
• The All Natural Face cream blush in Tequila Sunrise
• Tarte eyeshadow palette, using the darkest shade
• Mineral Fusion eyeliner in Black
• Physician's Formula Organic Wear Fakeout Mascara
• ZuZu Luxe lip liner in Port
• Ilia lipstick in Femme Fatale

Next week's beauty time machine will be landing somewhere in the 1950's, so be sure to stay tuned!