Take your cue from the glam era of the 50s with perfect skin, winged line and a bold red pout. The post-war era of the 50s were a signal to go from minimalist to all-out glam. The goal then was to create the perfect canvas with a matte type of foundation, to add definition for eyes using only neutral hues and an intense black liner paired with lustrous lashes, and a glaringly red lip. Here, with a few tweaks here and there, we’ll teach you how to wear a 50s-inspired look that’s appropriate and practical today.
Foundation
The 50s were all about perfect skin, and foundation was rather thick. To get a similar yet not too-made-up look, choose a matte foundation that’ll cover up imperfections yet look natural at the same time.
We love Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation, P399. Check out the Calyxta Crew’s review here.
Brows
Arches in the 50s were drawn high and with precision. Using a dark brown brow pencil, fill in sparse areas and draw hair-like strokes in an upward manner to create brows that stand out.
Try L’Oréal Paris’ Brow Artist Designer in Dark Brown, P500.
Eyes
Vintage glam veered away from colorful peepers so the palette stayed close to neutral hues like browns and beiges. A soft brown can be used all over lids, then a darker brown can be blended into the crease to lend definition. Finish off with winged eyeliner plus 2 to 3 coats of deep black mascara, and you’ve got yourself classic 50s glam eyes.
Our product recos? Pixi by Petra’s Book of Beauty Minimal Makeup, P1290, Missha’s The Style Sharp Eyeliner, P209, and Eye of Horus’ Goddess Black Mascara, P990.
Cheeks
Pronounced cheeks are also synonymous to the 50s, so load up on intense cheek color, and make sure to use pinks or peachy-pinks as these were the popular hues back then. Bronzers didn’t play a particularly big role yet in the 50s.
Our fave blush these days? Pink Sugar Sweet Cheeks HD Cheek Color in Summer Nights, P299.
Lips
A classic 50s pout requires a bright, cherry red lip, and would be best work with some shine. Use Medusa’s Makeup Lipstick in Rio, P295 to get a lovely red opaque finish that lasts.
Text by: Agoo Bengzon