by BR Amelia
Many, many moons ago, I recall my mother laughing as I discovered the fashion trends that she'd grown up with. At the time I thought she was being ridiculous to be so amused, but now as I watch my friends' teens walk around in clothing that I wore back in the day, I can see that the laughter wasn't so much directed at me, as an expression of delight at seeing past trends embraced once more.
It's not just the fashion world that sees looks recycled; the beauty world does too! Which is why I thought I'd take a trip down history lane, immerse myself in beauty trends from the last 100 years, and choose the best from each...
1930s
Consider me shocked to have never noticed this before, but thin eyebrows were all the rage in the 30s! Who knew!? However, being that there's no way you'll catch me with skinny brows anytime soon, my pick for the best 30s beauty trend is the stunning ruby red lips with a pronounced cupid's bow that so many starlets sported.
1940s
Red lips carried over into the 1940s, but were paired with slightly more rosied up cheeks, as well as fuller brows that were groomed to within an inch of their life. Brows that could only be described as elegant. The kind of brows one could imagine raising while sipping on a martini as you chatted to a dapper dandy. Yes, it's the elegant arched brow for the win!
1950s
What's not to love about 1950s style? The fashion was fab, and the makeup was glorious. Red lips were still all the rage, skin was natural and dewy, eyeshadow was kept simple, but what made the peepers pop was lashings of mascara, along with eyeliner. Yes, the 1950s saw the increasing popularity of the cat's eye flick, a look we still love today.
1960s
My friend had a picture of her mother from the 60s. She was wearing a mini skirt, a matching top, knee-high white leather boots, her hair was in a big bouffant style, and her eye makeup was amazing, all black eyeliner and long, lush (possibly fake) lashes. To me, that was the vibe of the 60s - beautiful, bold eyes with a natural lip and simple skin. Stunning.
1970s
On the whole when I look back at the 1970s everything seemed pretty basic. Skin - natural. Lips - natural. Compared to the 1960s eye-emphasising looks, the eyes went back to basics with a little mascara and a shimmery shadow on the lid. Thankfully it was also the disco era. And when I think disco, I think glittery eyeshadow. Glossy lips were big on the scene too, but as gorgeous as they are, they don't give me Night Fever the way a sparkly eyelid does.
1980s
Where does one even start with the 1980s? It was all so big and bold. Stripes of blush. Bold, chunky brows. Loads of eyeliner. Lots of foundation. Massive hair. Colourful eyeshadow that could be seen from space. Bright lipstick. Frosted lipstick. And, often, it was all plastered on the face at the same time. I'm sorry to say (especially as a child of the 80s), but was there any good here? Really? Truly? I've tried my best to find something I'd embrace today... and if I had to choose it would be bright lipstick. But I'd still question the choice of lipstick shades worn back in the day. That era might just have to get in the sea, sink to the bottom and stay out of sight.
1990s
The 1990s was the decade I discovered makeup. But also didn't. You see, as a grunge-loving tom boy, the look - so often influenced by pop princesses - just wasn't my cup of Coka Cola. Pencil thin brows, shimmery blue eyeshadow that stretched up to the brow, frosty lipgloss - cute on some, but not for me. Luckily, the 90s also had a very natural looking vibe going on. Embraced by the supermodels, it was a trend a makeup beginner, like myself, could appreciate. Simple foundation, a little brown eyeshadow and mascara, with the lips being the focus. And this is where my favourite trend for the 90s was found. Brown lipstick. Brown shades of lipstick - from light to dark - rock. Then. Now. Always.
2000s
Juicy Tubes!!! When I think the 2000s, I just recall splashing the cash on a Lancome Juicy Tube and feeling so freaking fantastic! Glossy lips were big! Looks from the 90s carried over for some time, but eventually it became a case of 'you do you', which brings us to...
Today
In the lat ten years or so we've seen contouring come, and go. We've seen matte, liquid lipstick be big, then not so big. We've seen brows go bold, eyeliner go bright. Rumour has it bright blush is making a comeback, not to mention - shock horror - skinny brows, but more and more the beauty world has become a case of people wearing what suits them, what makes them feel comfortable in their own skin, and, for me, that's the best trend of them all!
So, my beauties, do tell... what's your favourite era for makeup? What trends do you hope to see come back? Are there any you'd gladly see the back of forever? Chat below!
I love the 40s and 50s. Beautiful!