Through The Decades Series-1930’s

Hello Lovely!
Welcome to the second post of the Through The Decades Series. During this series I’ll be talking about the beauty trends popular during these times. If you missed my first post all about the 1920’s, you can check it out here. I hope this series inspires you to try trends of the past, and learn about how far the beauty industry has come.

In this blog we’ll be talking about the ever so glamorous 1930’s. Much like the 1920’s, beauty trends were highly influenced by the Hollywood stars of the silver screen. They brought a desirable charm that led the entire country to follow. These silver screen stars were always seen dressed to their best and had perfectly applied makeup. The new beauty trends of the 1930’s were more feminine and women preferred to go ‘soft’ in their makeup. (Although I wouldn’t consider bright red lips and blue eyeshadow soft haha.) This was quite the difference from the 1920’s, where women desired a more dramatic makeup look, and a more boyish look as well. The art of women’s makeup took off in new strides in the 30’s being influenced by the Hollywood stars and the colored covers of the fashion magazines.

The makeup industry took a huge leap with the help of the 20’s. More makeup colors became available, from thousands of new brands. There was a huge shift going from the dramatic flapper-inspired look to a much simpler feminine and glamorous look inspired by Hollywood. Budgets became tighter and luxuries became fewer, for many people whose lives were deeply shaken by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. This led makeup to become simpler and cleaner, setting a tone that would continue on in future decades.

In the 1930’s fair skin with light pink blush on the cheeks was considered ideal in that era. Most of the film stars kept their skin very pale. To get this look, they applied rice powder or ivory-tinted powder on the top of their classic ‘Vanishing Cream. Blush was used minimally, if any was used at all. Blush was more understated during the 30’s as compared to the 20’s. Bright pink cheeks like in the 1920’s was no longer found in vogue. A light application of cream blush high on the cheekbone, and finished with a pat of translucent powder. The shades of the cream rouge varied from apricot, raspberry to rose.

The brow of the 1930’s is extremely skinny! As was true in the 1920’s, the brow is plucked into a single, thin line. In some cases even the brow is shaved off entirely, then drawn in with a pencil. The difference from the 20’s is in the 30’s the arch of the brows was made much higher, forming a half-moon shape, and the outer edges winged out. Jean Harlow is a great example of how this brow was worn.

Rather than the dramatic kohl smokey eye look of the 1920’s, the 1930’s was an era of minimal eye makeup. Liner was lined tight around the upper lash line and just on the outside corner of the lower lash line. Eye shadow was applied on the upper lid in a pear shape sweeping lines outwards to make eyes appear more rounded. Because of the growth of the makeup industry, eyeshadow colors became more of a variety from blues, greens, purples, pinks, and browns. Shimmer and cream eyeshadows were also introduced by brands such as Elizabeth Arden, these became more popular for a nighttime look. An interesting trend that was reserved mostly for daytime looks was to just smear a little petroleum jelly or olive oil(rather than eyeshadow) on the upper lid for a shiny look. Dark lashes were very much desired, and henna was often used to create a more long lasting stain. The look of the era was a defined, separated lash that could be sharp, or curled, with individual lashes standing clearly in a stark line.

Unlike the flapper’s round, “bee-stung” pout of the 1920’s, the lip-line of the 1930’s was longer and sleeker. Some women still applied a cupid’s bow shape, but it more so followed the natural shape of the lips. If a woman wanted a bolder look, she occasionally elongated the bow to create a perfect pouty look. To get this effect, the lip line was contoured with a lip pencil and the upper lip was exaggerated into a sharp “bow”. Joan Crawford became known for her “overlip”. Women mostly applied shades of red such as maroons, dark reds, and raspberry shades. It was later blotted because the formula was so heavy. This process of applying dark red lipstick, blotting, and then reapplying, created a lasting red colored lip.

The sleek bob and the tight ringlet curls of the 1920’s gave way to the natural and soft waves of the 1930’s. Side parting and middle parting was the new trend with hair falling into natural waves. The beginning of the era saw men and women sport shorter hair, but as the years went by, more and more women started opting for longer hair again. But whether you had short or long hair you were bound to have waves in your hair. Not only was more styling done with the hair, but it began to take on more shape and a life of its own. Hairstyles became lush and full and very wavy to keep up with what the stars in Hollywood were modeling on the big screen. Hats were in style to coordinate these new and very feminine hairstyles. Many times the bulk of a hairstyle consisted of waves but smaller curls were created around the parameter of the hairstyle. When women used this hairstyle and then would offset the entire look with a stylish hat, they were in high fashion by 1930’s standards.

Myrna Loy 1930’s

Jean Harlow 1930’s. Back then, there was no hair color on the market that could make someone’s hair as white-hot as Harlow’s. Her personal hairdresser, revealed the secret decades later, saying, “We used peroxide, ammonia, Clorox, and Lux flakes. Can you believe that?” This makes the hairstylist in me cringe!

Carole Lombard 1930’s

The glamorous 1930’s set way for the future decades. The 30’s gave the world its first introduction to the power of Hollywood glamour. Stars like Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, Mae West, Myrna Loy, and Carole Lombard were influencers who had brought us beauty trends that blossomed from the trends they made popular in their time. I dare you to add a touch of the Old Hollywood glamour to your modern day routine. I had so much fun creating my 1930’s inspired look. I can only hope my blog can give you some inspiration to try this look for yourself.

If you enjoyed this blog, make sure to SHARE with all your friends/family. Don’t forget to COMMENT below and tell me your favorite beauty trend of the 1930’s. Also be sure to SUBSCRIBE below so you don’t miss out on any blogs to come.

Be kind, and spread love.

cb