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 Ballwith 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.
