Creating a 1940s Make-up Look

Each month, expert vintage hair and make-up artist Sarah Dunn of Sarah’s Doo-Wop Dos will be creating a different vintage look, this month she creates a 1940s look, perfect for the summer.
Hair-Mar06-06-176Make-up was in short supply during the war years of the 1940s so women had to get creative swapping mascara for burnt cork, starch powder for face powder and beetroot juice for lipstick.

Step 1 Foundation and Blush:
The beauty advice of the time was to eat well and keep your face clean for a good complexion but that was a tough task when food and soap where both rationed! So for an authentic 1940s look keep your base light and flawless. To start the look you will want to create a good base with a primer, this will help the foundation go on smoothly. Then use a good coverage foundation and blend well so you have a flawless finish before adding a pop of colour to the apple of the cheeks with a soft pink blush.

Tip: To find the ‘apple’ of your cheeks, smile as you apply the blusher. Make sure to blend the product out well to keep it soft.

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Step 2 Brows:
Brows in the 1940s were well groomed but kept natural. They can be filled in lightly for definition with a brow product. The arch was a popular feature and it can be highlighted using a light powder blended in.

Step 3 Eyeshadow:
Neutral shades; browns, pinks, beiges and greys work best for a 1940s look. Start by going over the lid with a base colour and then thicken up the lash-line with a slick of dark liner.

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Step 4 Lashes:
To further enhance the eyes, a favourite feature of the 40s, give a good coating of mascara to the top lashes and add natural looking false lashes.

Step 5 Lipstick:
The natural lip shape was popular in the 1940s, so to create this look just follow your natural lip line using a lip liner. Then fill in the full lip with liner to help the lipstick stay in place, before applying the lipstick with a lip brush for precision.

Tip: Try swapping out your red lipstick for a dusky pink to create a softer daytime look.

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Credits:
Article: Sarah Dunn for Twinwood Festival. Twinwood Festival is the UK's biggest vintage dance and music festival and takes place in Bedfordshire every August bank holiday. The festival encompasses music from the 1920s & 30s right up to the 60s with some of the best retro music and performers, as well as plenty of shopping and dancing. www.twinwoodevents.com
Hair and make-up: Sarah’s Doo-Wop Dos www.doowopdos.co.uk
Model: Gina
Photography: Jez Brown www.facebook.com/jezbrownphotography