As the roaring twenties come to life in all its 1920s glory, we turn to arguably its most iconic example — The Great Gatsby and its iconic representation of style. An integral part of the entire look is the makeup style that helps capture the essence of the era and the culture that surrounded it. From finger waves and bold lips to mascara and smoky eyes, the ’20s makeup look still resonates with modern beauty trends. In this article, we will explore the influence of ’20s makeup and the ways in which its influence can be channeled today.
1. An Iconic Look: Exploring the Glamorous Makeup of the Roaring Twenties
The makeup of the Roaring Twenties is iconic. Vibrant colors, vivid textures, and bold looks distinguished the style from the rest. Women embraced their freedom and their creativity when it came to makeup. It was seen as a modern day art form that could be used to express oneself. Like an artist with a canvas, women of the twenties used makeup to create looks that pushed boundaries and became coveted by others.
One popular look of the era was the smoky eyes with bronze and copper tones. This trend was also accompanied by false lashes, rouge lips, and glimmering face powder. Such glamour was seen after hours at parties or in the early evening visiting a local speakeasy. Though it’s been decades from its first appearance, the smoky eyes and copper tones of the twenties have seen a revival in our modern day cosmetics.
To achieve the iconic makeup of the twenties, you’ll need to curate a few key items to get started:
- A metallic copper eye shadow, for creating the famous smoky eyes
- False eyelashes, to add extra volume and drama to your look
- Rouge lipstick and face powder to add more texture and color to your makeup
There is so much to explore with 1920s makeup. Let your wildest imagination be your guide and get creative with your look. Once you’re done, all that’s left to do is flaunt your iconic twenties style.
2. Transforming Beauty Standards: How 1920s Makeup Broke the Mould
The Jazz Age: Reforming Beauty Standards
The early 1920s were a period of rapid changing – a time of rebirth and innovation. Music and fashion alike were undergoing a major transformation, and modern beauty standards were no exception.
The jazz age saw the emergence of the flapper girl as the ideal beauty standard – a look far ahead of its time. Flapper girls had short hair often bobbed around the ears and neck, and employed makeup to enhance natural features as oppose to completely changing them. Red lips and black mascara, to lure in attention, became prominent icons of the roaring ’20s. And most notably, false eyelashes were popularly used to create an overall look of sophistication and sensuality.
- Smokey Eyes
- Red Lipstick
- False Eyelashes
By prioritizing classic, au naturel looks, the makeup techniques used in the 1920s directly challenged the previously established beauty standards. As a result, the flapper era inspired a revolution in makeup. Products of the time were formulated to emphasize one’s natural beauty instead of simply concealing or covering it up. Smokey eyes, red lipstick, and false eyelashes became signature pieces that highlighted the beauty of women.
In this way, the flapper style served as a precursor to the modern beauty culture. Despite the fact that it was 97 years ago, the flapper aesthetic still echoes in the makeup trends of today. Without the beauty standards of the 1920s, makeup as we know it today would not exist.
3. Unpacking the Gatsby Look: Recreate a Classic Flapper Style
The roaring 1920s are making a comeback! Current fashion trends are taking cues from the classic flapper girl style, with some modern-day flair. If you want to try your hand at nailing the Gatsby-chic look, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got all the tips you need to get you well on your way to being a roaring twenties success.
- Start with a cloche. Nothing says classic twenties style quite like a timeless cloche hat. Whether it’s felt or straw, this silhouette is a must to achieve the look.
- Go for a drop waist. Flapper style is all about that drop waist, which makes a garment hang just below the natural waist. Lace hems can also make for a great focal point.
- Look for unique accessories. Put a modern spin on the classic Gatsby style with bold jewelry, modern sunglasses, and intricate hats. This is also a great way to reflect your unique personality.
- Don’t forget the shoes. Whether you’re rocking a pair of heavily beaded maryjanes or art-deco webbed sandals, shoes are an opportunity to really bring the look together.
Finally, don’t forget your attitude! Be confident and embrace the glamour of your style. Wearing Gatsby-style attire gives you a leg up when it comes to expressing yourself and having a good time, so dress up and get ready for a dazzling night.
4. Breaking Down the Golden Era Makeup: Face, Eyes and Lips look Bold
The golden era of makeup was all about making a bold statement. Bold, dramatic eye looks, full coverage base makeup, and over the top lips – the classic golden era style was all about making heads turn. Here’s how you can break it down and replicate the classic look for yourself!
Face: High coverage foundations and pressed powders were integral to the golden era look, leaving you with a flawless canvas for the rest of your makeup. If you prefer to use a dewy foundation for a more modern look, top it off with a sheer pressed powder to replicate the ‘porcelain doll’ mien. Or take it up a notch with contouring and blush for maximum drama!
Eyes: Long-lasting eyeliner and voluminous lashes were the key players of the eye look. Choose a waterproof liner that won’t smudge and apply a generous winged shape to create drama. You can even recreate the unmistakable ‘cat eye’ look for added effect. Don’t forget to finish off with a set of glamorous false lashes – the thicker, the better!
Lips: Finally, create the perfect statement pout using a traditional ‘summer red’ color. To make sure lips stay looking bold and beautiful all-day long, apply a lip liner beforehand and go in with a bright red lipstick. To finish off, top it with a translucent gloss for sheer, glossy drama.
- For the face: use a high coverage foundation and a sheer pressed powder for a flawless canvas.
- For the eyes: apply a waterproof liner and a generous set of false lashes.
- For the lips: use a bright red lipstick and layer it with a glossy layer of transparent gloss.
Recreating the golden era of makeup is a fun way to mix up your look and make a statement. Go bold or go home!
5. Renaissance of the 1920s Aesthetic: How Modern Style Trends Tap into the Decade’s Glamour
In the past decade, the 1920s aesthetic has been making a comeback in the fashion world. The inspiration behind the trend is a desire to express the glamor associated with the glamorous decade. Here are ways which modern fashion trends have tapped into the glamor of the Roaring Twenties.
Vintage-Style Flapper Dresses
- Recently, vintage-style flapper dresses have been making a big impact on the fashion industry. Designers have been taking the classic Roaring Twenties silhouette and modernizing it by using different textures, colors, and finishes. The result is beautifully intricate pieces which are perfect for flaunting in any modern-day event.
- Flapper dresses are all about expressing individual style and making a statement. This means that no two dresses will ever look identical. From ribbon accents to sequins to beaded fringes – there’s something for everyone!
Gatsby-Inspired Accessories
- The fashion industry has also been channeling the glamour of the bygone era through accessories. Designers have created a range of Gatsby-inspired bags, hats, jewelry, and shoes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
- These items not only look great but they have a practical function too. For example, Gatsby-inspired shoes are often designed to include special padding so they can keep wearers comfortable in any High Society event.
The fashion industry has clearly had no issue tapping into the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. With the trend of vintage flapper dresses and Gatsby-inspired accessories, 1920s fashion is now more accessible than ever before. There’s no doubt that this trend will continue to be seen on the fashion scene for a long time.
Ultimately, the makeup styles of the 1920s remain timeless and inspiring even to this day. As we channel the elegance and glamour of the Great Gatsby, let us all take a step back and remember the timeless influence of this decade. Let’s continue to be inspired and recreate the iconic styles of the Roaring Twenties.
