Embrace the 1940s: Beauty and Hair Inspiration for D-Day’s 80th Anniversary
Copyright Source：
Yueke
Tue, May 21, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
June 6th marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the historic Normandy landings during World War II. While much has changed in fashion and self-presentation over the decades, the classic beauty looks of 1944 continue to influence today's standards.
Makeup brands like Max Factor and Maybelline, launched in the early 1900s, offer products that surprisingly resemble those from the 1940s. Here are some iconic 1940s makeup trends and how to recreate them today:
Powdered Skin
In 1944, the trend favored overly powdered, matte skin, a stark contrast to today's preference for natural, dewy finishes. Women used pale, heavy powdered foundation paired with a touch of pink blush for a flawless complexion. To achieve this look today, use a powder foundation or set your liquid foundation with a loose setting powder for an airbrushed, matte finish. This look is best for those with oily skin, as it can be drying for others.
Red Lips
A bright red lip was the hallmark of 1940s makeup. To get the perfect red lip, start with a high-quality red lip liner to outline and fill in your lips, creating a base for your lipstick. Opt for a matte red lipstick for longevity and a classic 1940s look.
Soft Curls
The popular hairstyle in 1944 featured soft, delicate waves, often in a bob cut. This style evolved from the tighter finger waves and pin curls of the 1920s, becoming looser and more relaxed. To channel this look, use a curling iron or rollers to create gentle waves and brush them out for a soft, vintage feel.
Arched Brows
In the 1940s, women favored overly arched, thin eyebrows, a departure from today’s trend of natural, bushy brows. To achieve this look without over-plucking, use brow gel to shape your eyebrows or apply concealer around the edges to create the illusion of a thinner brow.
Barely-There Eye Makeup
With the emphasis on bold red lips, eye makeup in the 1940s was kept minimal. Avoid dark or statement eye makeup to stay true to this era. Instead, use brown mascara or pencil liner on your waterline to subtly define your eyes without overpowering the red lips.
By embracing these classic 1940s beauty trends, you can pay homage to the timeless elegance of the D-Day era while incorporating a touch of vintage glamour into your modern look.
Makeup brands like Max Factor and Maybelline, launched in the early 1900s, offer products that surprisingly resemble those from the 1940s. Here are some iconic 1940s makeup trends and how to recreate them today:
Powdered Skin
In 1944, the trend favored overly powdered, matte skin, a stark contrast to today's preference for natural, dewy finishes. Women used pale, heavy powdered foundation paired with a touch of pink blush for a flawless complexion. To achieve this look today, use a powder foundation or set your liquid foundation with a loose setting powder for an airbrushed, matte finish. This look is best for those with oily skin, as it can be drying for others.
Red Lips
A bright red lip was the hallmark of 1940s makeup. To get the perfect red lip, start with a high-quality red lip liner to outline and fill in your lips, creating a base for your lipstick. Opt for a matte red lipstick for longevity and a classic 1940s look.
Soft Curls
The popular hairstyle in 1944 featured soft, delicate waves, often in a bob cut. This style evolved from the tighter finger waves and pin curls of the 1920s, becoming looser and more relaxed. To channel this look, use a curling iron or rollers to create gentle waves and brush them out for a soft, vintage feel.
Arched Brows
In the 1940s, women favored overly arched, thin eyebrows, a departure from today’s trend of natural, bushy brows. To achieve this look without over-plucking, use brow gel to shape your eyebrows or apply concealer around the edges to create the illusion of a thinner brow.
Barely-There Eye Makeup
With the emphasis on bold red lips, eye makeup in the 1940s was kept minimal. Avoid dark or statement eye makeup to stay true to this era. Instead, use brown mascara or pencil liner on your waterline to subtly define your eyes without overpowering the red lips.
By embracing these classic 1940s beauty trends, you can pay homage to the timeless elegance of the D-Day era while incorporating a touch of vintage glamour into your modern look.
Foundation is a key component in any make-up bag, alongside concealer, powder, and blusher. The application method can make a significant difference in the final look. Some prefer a make-up sponge, others use a brush, and some find their fingers work best. Each method affects the foundation's appearance and how it sits on the skin.
Make-up artist Rose Gallagher offers basic tips for foundation application. She suggests starting with the area needing the most coverage and working outwards. Gentle pressure is crucial, regardless of the application method, to avoid moving the product around and to ensure it sits well on the skin. If your neck is a different color, use a color-correcting cream instead of foundation.
Using a brush can achieve a flawless finish. A flat foundation brush is ideal for full coverage, while a rounded, dome-shaped brush allows for customizable coverage. Apply foundation to the back of your hand and pick it up with the brush in small amounts, using gentle strokes.
For a sponge application, dampen the sponge, apply foundation to the back of your hand, and gently press it into the skin. Bouncing the product onto the skin with the sponge ensures a skin-like finish without smears. However, a sponge may require more product to achieve the same level of coverage as a brush or fingers.
Gallagher prefers applying concealer last to address areas needing extra coverage after foundation. Primer use is a personal choice, but she often finds it unnecessary if skincare is effective.
For layering blush, bronzer, and powder over foundation, use similar textures together. Apply cream products together and finish with powder. If using powder blush and bronzer, set your make-up first with setting powder to avoid pigment clinging to dewy surfaces.
For mature skin, Gallagher advises minimal powder to allow movement of creams and avoid settling into fine lines. Lightweight formulas are recommended to reduce product gathering in lines. A small amount of talc-free setting powder can enhance make-up wear time without emphasizing lines.