by Lori Ritchie
Hollywood has always influenced America’s beauty and fashion ideals.
The 1950’s were no exception. Silver screen starlets
Marilyn Monroe
and Brigitte Bardot not only enamored audiences with their sublime
allure – they also set the standard for beauty in this era.
Television sweetheart Lucille Ball perpetuated the image of the
glamorous housewife with her memorable “I Love Lucy” appearances.
These women of Hollywood evoked images of elegance, dream, and
uniqueness.
They inspired within women of the 1950’s the desire to
possess these attributes for themselves. Cosmetics became a necessity
for every woman during this decade.
Bigger-than-life cinema screens showcased the flawless peaches and
cream complexions of 1950’s movie actresses. Max Factor, renowned
make-up artist to the stars, invented pan-cake makeup that expertly
covered any skin imperfections.
The cosmetics mogul introduced an
everyday version to women all over the world during the 1950’s. He’s
also credited with making available a broad range of eye shadows and
lipstick shades.
1950’s fashion magazines detailed step-by-step instructions on how to
apply lip colors with recently introduced lip brushes. Hazel Bishop
Inc. marketed the first smear-proof lipstick during this era.
The
names of the company’s popular lipsticks were named simply by color
description rather than fanciful names used by other companies.
Notable fashion magazine, “Vogue,” began to coordinate colors of the
season’s latest clothing trends with cosmetics. Make up companies
followed the lead of this influential publication producing an even
more vast selection of shades and colors for women to choose from.
Titanium became an essential ingredient in the cosmetics industry
during the late fifties resulting in lipstick shades with a pale
shimmering gleam.
Nail colors also were affected by this advent.
Frosted shades of pink and silver became widely available. The make up
company Gala first began marketing frosted lipsticks.
Brigitte Bardot made a name for herself with dark smoldering eyes and
pale lips. There is no doubt that this French-born
model-turned-actress influenced American women’s thoughts about
beauty.
Eyeliner of this day was available only in liquid form. Its
application provided a sharp and defining accent of the eyes very much
like the eye make up worn by Bardot.
The movie actress
Marilyn Monroe is a perfect example of the en vogue
look of the 50’s. The diva had narrowed eyebrows with minimal eye
shadow and blush.
Her complexion was unblemished. The over-all
resounding affects of this legendary film actresses’ appearances was
the feeling that she was born with her undeniable charms.
The epitome of the 50’s married housewife was
Lucille Ball
with her
coiffed poodle haircut and rosy pink lips. The television darling’s
wide-eyed baby blues, high heels, and white apron set the mark for a
nation of blossoming young women.
Ball managed to maintain her
timeless sense of beauty while expressing her unrestrained comedic
genius in a way that has since been unmatched by any modern-day female
comedian.
Evening cosmetic wear leant itself toward drama with shimmering shades
of pink for lips and eyes shadows reaching beyond the lid. Women of
the fifties appeared doll-like with pin-curls or fringe-like bangs
framing their perfectly made-up faces.
Bardot, Monroe, and Ball were a
few of the most influential starlets of Hollywood who propelled
cosmetics trends during the 1950’s.
