Emulating the beauty looks of the times

Towards the fabulous fifties

Throughout the war, women had worn trousers, uniforms and utility clothing to be able to perform practical duties. But with the late ‘40s and ‘50s came the desire for luxury femininity, says Marsh. “There were two main looks – very elegant and ladylike, or sexy like Marilyn Monroe. ‘Immaculate grooming’ is a phrase that occurs again and again in makeup adverts. If you were putting on your Max Factor Pan-Stik foundation, you made sure you covered your décolletage as well as your face,” she adds.

Many women were back in the home and all the advice in women’s magazines was about what kind of lipstick to be wearing when your husband gets in, or how to get the right look when meeting a prospective mother-in-law.

But for those who aspired to the seductive siren look, lipsticks were bold with a luscious sheen and came in fuchsia and bright coral as well as soft reds. And a subtle version of the classic winged eyeliner made an appearance, although Audrey Hepburn popularised the thickly-lined doe-eyed look later in the decade.

During the ‘40s, makeup containers and packaging were plain plastic or cardboard due to the wartime metal shortages. But the ‘50s made up for it and dressing tables sparkled with luxurious gold and diamanté.

Whatever your post-war persona, get some inspiration for the era with our 1950s style guide.