Beauty Through the Ages: Flashback Friday

1940s

1940's women were asked to do a lot, and working for the war effort took a toll. But glamour was in, fresh from Hollywood, and women who were earning their first paychecks were also shopping, dressing elegantly and more and more makeup.

"Putting on a brave face "  was expected, this encludes being optimistic and looking your best at all times.

Use gravy browning as fake tan
Blend lipstick on your cheeks for rouge
Get your friend to draw a pencil up your legs to look like you are wearing stockings
Wear bright red lipstick
Blondes use lemon in their hair, brunettes use vinegar
Coal was mixed with Vaseline for eyes
Do your own hair, you don’t need a hairdresser just some hair pins and creativity.
Use talc on your face, as a replacement for smooth face powder
Pin curls and bits of torn up material to curl hair

 Women were heavily recruited to join the forces. Nurses particularly were expected to look their best. This was thought to cheer up the men coming in from the front lines. 

Of course they were still making movies during the war and women looked to the movie stars for inspiration. Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Veronica Lake and Vivien Leigh were some of the most famous screen stars of the 40s.

Varga Girls

The Varga girls became so popular that from 1942-1946, due to a high volume of military demand, 9 million copies of Esquire magazine-without adverts and free of charge was sent to American troops stationed overseas and in domestic bases. Nevertheless, not one picture could be as significant or memorable as the Varga Girls nose art of the WWII bombers; not seen as prostitutes but patriots for good luck

 Until Next time..