Vintage Make-up Tutorial: 1940’s Simplicity

Simplicity was the key word in the 1940’s. The make-up that we saw during this era was much more clean and natural than that of the previous decade as the US entered and ended the second World War. In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to do a classic 1940’s make-up application including a flawless foundation, full brows, bright eyes, classic red lip, and natural lashes!

Get This Look:

Base: As always, use Face Primer and a MUD Professional Make-up Sponge to prep the skin before applying the foundation. The base color best suited for this look is an ivory tone that may be 1-2 shades lighter than the skin. For our model, I blended together both the WB 3 Cream Foundation and CB 2 Cream Foundation and applied it with the #940 Foundation Brush for a flawless finish. To set the foundation, I dusted Loose Powder in Buttercream over the entire face and neck with the #510 Duster Brush. 

Brows: The brows were a lot more natural and a bit fuller than the thin sculpted brow we saw in the 1930’s. Using the #210 Angle Liner Brush and Espresso Eye Color, lightly fill in the brows as evenly as possible.   

Eyes: Now it’s time for the eyes. Start with the #800 Crease Brush and a small amount of Taupe Eye Color to create a bit of depth and a subtle crease. Place this color on the outer lid just above the lash line and extend it upwards ending at the crease. Blending is key here to diffuse any lines or harsh edges. Using the same brush, add a small amount of Smoked Sapphire Eye Color into the crease. Be careful not to create a smoky eye here! We are trying to create depth while creating a very bright Eye Color application. This is best achieved by blending out in circular motions. Along the lower lash line drag the #210 Angle Liner Brush and just a touch of the Smoked Sapphire Eye Color along the bottom there for a drop shadow. For a very subtle and clean line, use the #100 Round Liner Brush and Black Cake Eyeliner. Hug the lash line with the #100 Round Liner Brush as the goal here is just to reinforce the intensity of the lash line.

Highlights: After you’ve finished your shadow application, it’s time to put in your highlights. Start by using “Light” from the Highlight and Shadow Palette. Using the #300 Shadow Blender Brush, apply the cream highlight just beneath the brow. Once the product is where you want it, blend it softly downward into the crease. Then, place a bit more of the cream highlight just to the inner corner of the upper lid. Highlighting these two areas will brighten up the overall look of the eyes. After you have the cream placed and blended, switch to the #800 Crease Brush and apply Dulce De Leche Eye Color to both the brow bone and on the inner corner of the upper lid.

Lashes: For this classic 1940’s look use individual lashes for a more natural feel. Dip each individual lash-clump into Duo Eyelash Adhesive and apply carefully with tweezers. To complete the eyes, it’s time for a generous coat of Black Volumizing Mascara applied with our #500 Mascara Brush.

Cheeks: A combination of Rose Petal Cheek Color and Glow Cheek Color is the perfect cheek color for this time period. Apply both colors to the #710 Powder Blush Brush and lightly dust over the cheekbones in circular motions.

Lips: For the perfect 1940’s lip, line both the upper and lower lips with the Red Lip Pencil. Once perfectly symmetrical, fill in with the Lady Bug Satin Lipstick using the #310 Lip Brush.