The cosmetic routine at this time involved a simple powdered
face, pinching to bring colour to the cheeks, and darkening
eyelashes with burnt matches. Coloured petals or wet red
tissue paper were used to colour the lips.
With the movie industry boom, Hollywood began having a huge
impact on popular cosmetics in the 1920s. Makeup artists of
popular actresses dramatically influenced how the public used
makeup, and it was at this time that big names such as Max
Factor rose to prominence.
Designers followed Hollywood’s lead, and Coco Chanel
popularised a now classic look: dark eyes, red lipstick and a
suntan.
The new, accessible approach to makeup hit a stumbling block
during the Second World War as cosmetics were in short
supply.
This didn’t stop British women staying glamorous, however—
after all, the government constantly reminded them that
‘beauty is a duty’.
"Beauty is a duty"