Review of my Eliza Fragrances! ♥

 My perfume has been reviewed on the blog Pink Clouds!  :D

http://pinkcloudsz.blogspot.com/2011/12/evening-in-ceylon-solid-perfume-by.html

Handmade Lip Rouges--Attempts 1-4 (and 5)

My lip rouge supplies arrived Christmas Eve, and I managed to make five shades!  None are a true red, however, and I've come to the conclusion that I need to order carmine coloring to achieve a red.  The online shop is now closed until January and is sold out of carmine, so until they have more in stock, I'll have to return to perfume making for a while.

The shades I made are not bad; one is a reddish orange, another a fig-brown, one is a rich terracotta-type orange, the fourth is like raisin with brick undertones.  I made another that is deep mauve but I'm not going to post a photo of it because it's darker than what I wanted, so I'm going to work on it some more.  Here are the shades I've created:

'Carmen'--festive reddish orange!  This one I'm going to reformulate a bit so it is less glossy.

'Clara'--raisin-berry with brick undertones.  Quite 1920s!

'Mae'--a sort of terracotta orange, great for blondes and brunettes.

'Veronica'--a rich, fig-brown.

Now, the lip rouge names have a theme.  Can you guess what it is?  I'll just tell you.  I'm naming all my lip rouges after classic Hollywood actresses.  'Carmen' is for Carmen Miranda, 'Clara' for Clara Bow, 'Mae' for Mae West, and 'Veronica' for Veronica Lake.  I have many more shades and names planned, but I'm not going to spill them until I have them made!

If you're interested in more information, visit the Eliza Fragrances Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/eliza.fragrances

Lip Rouge

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm planning to make lip colors soon!  I make perfumes and lip balms, and it has always been a sort of dream of mine to do lipsticks, so I thought now seemed a good time to start.  However, these won't be lipsticks, but old-fashioned "lip rouge" in a pot, the type you apply with a brush.

Ava Gardner

After all, if you would like to know a little secret, the names I gave to my perfumes, "Eliza Fragrances" was one I came up with easily because I once wanted to start a company called "Eliza Cosmetics."  Why 'Eliza'?  It's the first half of my middle name, 'Elizabeth.'  But the name 'Eliza' is classy and alluring, a bit like the name 'Ava' or 'Rita'.  At least, I think so.  Anyway, my dream of my 'future' cosmetic company was that I would have lipsticks, nail colors, and nail files, which I was fashioning myself with some kind of filing stone.  That was before my vintage days, before I discovered my true style, and the dream died out--all except for the lipstick part.

So, why am I choosing potted lip rouge instead of lipsticks?  A few reasons; one, lipstick molds are VERY expensive.  I don't really want to think of all the work involved of pouring into molds and assembling the lipstick in the tubes.  Besides that, it's necessary to find a base with just the right balance of creamy and soft, yet still firm enough to hold its shape in tube form. 

Photo of a lipstick mold from the TKB Trading website.  Looks rather like some torture device.  D:

 Another reason, so you won't only suspect me of laziness (ha, ha), is that potted lip rouge is quite a novelty.  Unmistakeably vintage.  And that's what my perfumes are all about; bringing back classy vintage scents that one can't get a hold of anymore.  Now I might be able to do this with lip colors--if all goes smoothly!

While I'm really excited, I'm also pretty nervous.  I have a lot of shades planned, but will it work out?  I'm afraid the color will come out sheer, or that the base will be too oily.  Or I won't get the color just right.  I ordered some samples from the mineral makeup supply company TKB Trading last week.  There are a few suppliers out there, but I really liked TKB Trading's extensive information on the pigments (i.e. specific FDA approvals), and the site seemed very user friendly and organized, with articles, recipes, user reviews, lots of how-to.  I emailed them and the response I received was prompt.  I'm hoping these are all good omens!

There is a remarkably vintage twist to these lip rouges; not just the colors, but the theme of what I plan to name them.  This I'm keeping secret until I start making them.  Whether I fail or succeed, I'll share this with you sometime after my first few attempts.  If I have luck making the lip colors, I'll post photos and let you know how to get in touch with me if you're interested in trying some.  Wish me luck!  :)

Happy Holidays to all!  ♥

Keep Your Eyes Young!

Lately, I've had trouble sleeping.  Maybe it's the winter, the fact that it's dark so early.  Whatever the cause, I generally tend to oversleep this time of year.  So, what to do with those tired, puffy eyes?  Well, how about some 1930s advice from The Daily Mail?

"Eyes show the strain of life before almost any other feature."  Very true!  How often have we been reminded that the skin around our eyes is delicate and tender, yet we still continue to rub them, squint, and expose them to merciless sunlight.  And letting them swell up after sleeping in doesn't do much good, either!  According to the above article, "three things are essential if you would keep your eyes young and beautiful.  They must be cleansed, exercised, and rested daily."

Let's divide this into sections!

1.  Daily Cleansing of the Eyes.

"Bathe your eyes last thing at night and first thing every morning to remove every little particle of dust from under the lids, and to tone up the muscles."  As shown in the photo at right, it is recommended to wash eyes with an eye-cup filled with a "mild lotion".  This doesn't mean the lotion you put on your skin!  What I use: spring water combined with rosewater.  It sounds wild, but I have given up commercial eye drops in favor of this concoction.  I have also heard of tea made from the herb eyebright, diluted with water, but have never tried it.  As always, be sure to research whatever herb you consider before actually using it.

2.  Exercises!

Two exercises: First, "open the lids as widely as possible and rotate the eyeballs rapidly--ten times to the right, ten times to the left.  Next, look straight ahead, keeping the lids wide apart until the eyes tingle.  Close the lids and count slowly to ten.  Open them, and repeat the exercise five times."

Second exercise:  This "should not be done more than twice in one day.  Hold the right arm straight out in front of you, keeping the forefinger in a direct line with the nose.  Move the finger slowly towards the nose, keeping the eyes focused on it until the finger is within five inches from the tip of the nose, then slowly withdraw the finger until the hand is in its first position.  Close the eyes and count slowly to twenty, the repeat the exercise once more.

3.  Relaxing the Eyes

"Hot salt-water compresses are an effective remedy for tired eyes.  They help to relax the tense nerves and stimulate circulation, thus removing the tired, drawn appearance from round the eyes."  At first, I was skeptical.  But I tried it a few days in a row and it seems better than putting ice cubes on puffy eyes.  Since puffy eyes are often the result of excess fluid pooling there overnight, wouldn't it make more sense to use a warm-treatment method to get the fluids flowing?  But I should warn you--DO NOT GET THE SALTWATER INTO YOUR EYES.  It will burn like you can't imagine.  Okay?  Here we go.

"Dissolve one teaspoonful of ordinary table salt in half a tumblerful of very warm water."  (I used one teaspoon in one cup of water.)  Dip two cotton balls or pads in the water (I have used folded pads of paper towel when I'm out of the cotton), wring them out, and apply these to closed eyes, "replacing as it cools with a fresh, hot compress."  The article recommends fifteen to twenty applications while in a darkened room.  Keep in mind that the compresses cool very quickly, so fifteen to twenty will probably take only a few minutes.

Next, apply a nourishing cream around the eyes, working in lightly, "beginning at the bridge of the nose and gently drawing the fingertips outwards over the upper lid and back under the eyes towards the starting point."

Another refreshing treatment is to apply cotton compresses soaked in witch hazel to closed eyes for ten minutes.  I've yet to try this, but witch hazel is known for its soothing, cooling properties, so it's definitely something I need to try.

Well-kempt, defined eyebrows and appealing daytime make up are also key.  Some do not need daytime make up, but if you like to use a touch of shadow on the lids and discreet penciling on the brow, this will enhance your eyes, as well!

Once again, I've been busy with my vintage-inspired, solid perfumes!

I've been able to upgrade to classier screw-top tins, and I've developed samples.  But there's something else I've been considering, which has interested me for some time.  What about...LIPSTICK?  I want to do the very old-fashioned potted lipstick, which you don't really see anymore.  I think that's so glamorous and intriguing!

I was hoping to make this a neat little post filled with lots of photos of vintage, potted lipsticks but can't find any photos, so I'll just tell you about it.  If perfume sales are good for me this month, then early next year I will consider making this very vintage lipstick!  Already I have name and shade ideas, and I think I'll accent the perfumes with a bit of peppermint oil or rose oil.  What do you think?

Anyone for Some SAMPLES?

Hello there!

I've talked quite a bit about my vintage-inspired perfume hobby/business on this blog.  Now, something exciting: Samples are available!  If you would like to try one or maybe a few of the perfumes I have made, you can order samples free of charge.  Just send me an email at eliza.fragrances@gmail.com or you can contact me on my Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eliza.fragrances.  If you like vintage looks, my perfumes might give you an idea of the scents of the past.

Lipstick Cravings!

Not sure what it is, but this year I have been struck with wild lipstick cravings.  I have bought so many new tubes this year!  I guess part of what fed this was when I bought a horrible Revlon mascara.  I love Revlon; if you dislike something, all you need to do is politely write them about it, and they will do their best to make it right.  Because I was so disappointed in this mascara, they sent me some coupons for their products.  I LOVE their lipsticks, which are not heavy and waxy like others.  They also contain aloe and vitamin E!  So much to love.  Well, I bought some new shades.  And some more new shades.  While some lipstick lines advertise being inspired by vintage-shades, there are lots out there not labeled as such that work for the vintage lady.  I'm planning to share these with you sometime soon!

I know...I keep promising more posts of vintage-friendly lipsticks and never seem to get around to it.  Once again, I apologize.  Guess it's something with the weather getting chilly, I procrastinate about going out in the cold sunshine to model lipstick.  Well, when I find my motivation, get ready!  There will be lots of lip color shades for you to try out for yourself.

♥

A Treasury of Vintage Perfumes

I don't know how many of you are interested in vintage perfumes, but I find them quite fascinating!  Since I model many of my handmade perfumes after vintage ones, I'm always trying to read up on perfumes of the past, from the 1920s through the 1940s, especially.  Therefore, when I found the blog Yesterday's Perfume, I was quite overjoyed.  What a gem!  Not only is there a list off to the side of specific perfumes with the date of their debut, but each one has a review, a bit of information on the creation of the perfume, what scents star in it, and--my favorite--vintage perfume advertisements!

This blog will be such a wonderful source of information and inspiration for my perfuming.  If you are a"vintage perfumaniac" like me, visit Yesterday's Perfume!

Halloween and Perfumes

Wow!  It has been a while.  Don't worry--I have lots of plans for more of those vintage-friendly lipstick posts!  It's just getting difficult, being autumn, to get out on an ideal sunny day to take photos when I'm not occupied with something else.

I have some news I am pretty excited about!  I finally have a website for my perfumes!  I supposed I ought to have gotten a website a while back, but I'm glad I at last seized the opportunity and created one.  Now maybe my business will pick up!  I still have a lot of photos to add, so it is a work in progress.  You can view it here: http://elizafragrances.webs.com/

As has become my yearly custom, I've been reading a lot of ghost stories over the last month or so!  This is just the perfect time of year to read them; it adds to the mysterious spookiness of the season.  People say you outgrow Halloween, but is that really so?  Can you really outgrow it if you have always loved it?  Halloween is one of my favorite "holidays."  Anyway, this year I have read some great ghost stories by E.F. Benson, particularly one called "The Room in the Tower."  I read another, "The Tower," by Marghanita Laski that left a lot to the imagination--and that's what it's all about!  Recently I found a book, The Haunted Looking Glass: Ghost Stories Chosen by Edward Gorey.

It is also illustrated by Edward Gorey, whose work I have learned to appreciate and enjoy, particularly in relation to the ghost story field.  In the above book, there unfortunately is no story entitled "The Haunted Looking Glass," but it is a nice collection, nevertheless.  My absolute favorite collection of supernatural tales is entitled Hauntings: Tales of the Supernatural, edited by Henry Mazzeo, also illustrated by Gorey.  I believe the book is out of print; I snatched it from a pile of books my grandmother planned to send off to Goodwill years ago.  :)

What are everyone's plans for Halloween?  Do many of you celebrate or do anything festive?  I would love to hear your plans and costume ideas, if you're dressing up.  I generally dress up and get together with friends every year that I'm able to.  This year I plan to dress as a gypsy.  I've gone as many things in the past, and I'm surprised to realize I've never dressed as a gypsy before.  I was once obsessed with their mystical culture as a child, and I suppose I've never really gotten over it.  ;)

Elgin American Compact Treasure!

Last month I went antique shopping for the first time in a long, long while.  I stumbled across a compact mirror with two leaping gazelles on it.  I really liked the design, even though I didn't decide to buy it until last-minute.  My guess would be late '40s, early '50s, but I'm no expert.  What do you think?

 

 It was only $2 because the mirror inside is cracked.  When I got it home, I found out that it is an Elgin American.  I'm having a bit of trouble finding information on the company; I've heard of Elgin Watch Company but I don't know if it is associated with the makers of the compacts.

 

The center is stamped "Elgin American" in elegant lettering.  The powder puff would go here...

And the powder goes here!

I was thinking about restoring it, and replacing the mirror.  But I like it so much, maybe it is best to just leave it the way it is.  Let me know what you think!

Cool Beauty for August

More 1930s advice for ladies from the book What Every Woman Should Know!

This article instructs you on how to be "complexion conscious" and practice proper facial care for the summer.  With different temperatures and humidity, the face requires different treatment than in winter.  After all, wearing your winter face cream and powder in the summer would be like "wearing a fur coat on a hot August day"!

Here are some tips on how to keep your face feeling cool and fresh through these hot days of late summer.

"To avoid clogging the pores should be our greatest concern."  Therefore, make-up should be renewed often; however, "it is a mistake at all times to put fresh cosmetics over old make-up."  Remove make up with a removal cream, and follow up by dabbing the face with an astringent or eau-de-Cologne.  Now fresh make-up is ready to be applied.  And--"remember to wash your powder-puff more frequently in the summer."

A tinted lotion is recommended for summer wear as a make-up base, so that only a "fine dusting of powder" is needed.  "Rouge, if used at all, should be put on most sparingly.  Be more delicate in tone."  Under lipstick, "dry lips may need a trace of oil"...use this method instead of using a "greasy" lipstick.

"For the fair English skin that cannot tan with safety, or for the cream and roses girl who wishes to remain her exquisite self, there is a new sun-proof cream that actually deflects the sunlight.  This can be used once or twice during the day as a powder foundation."  (Golly, sunscreen!)

Those girls who have "acquired the 'real thing' in tans needs little or no make-up...She looks best with her own glow of health--and so much cooler!  A dust of powder on the nose and a vivid lipstick...will be enough."

Protect your eyes!  "Eyes suffer in the heat.  They get strained and burned."  Don't forget your sunglasses, which not only protect, but are also fashionable.  Bathe the eyes in cold tea twice or three times a day.

"Eye make-up should be less exotic if we wish to be cool-looking."  As it is the 1930s, the popular "trace of oil on the lids and the brows" is recommended, along with a touch of mascara.  "If eye shadow is used let it be a shadow."

Another interesting tidbit which dates this article is the mention of "leg cosmetics," and treatments for the legs (either bleaching or bronzing was available, according to skin tones).  But what does apply today is that "legs must be smooth and evenly coloured."

Shampoo hair frequently, and "don't let your figure 'go' in the hot weather.  It needs support more than ever.  Wear the lightest type of belt and brassiere".  Also, it is advised to "take advantage of the fashion for linen shoes, sandals and fabric and organdi gloves."  Rest during the day, even for only a few moments.  "Relax completely, and keep the feet up."  When it comes to nail colors, if you aren't wearing your lovely gloves too often, during these warm spells, coral-tinted nails are considered "cooler-looking and are newer than blood red or exotic shades."

So, stay cool ( and "cool-looking"), ladies!

My grandmother, circa 1939.

 

 Kathryn Belle.

I wanted to share this photo of my lovely grandmother, who helped raise me, and who is the greatest inspiration when it comes to vintage looks.  This is her senior photo, and as she graduated in 1940, my guess would be that this was taken in late 1939.  I love that dress!

The photograph was torn when I found it, but I tried to repair it digitally.

Perfume Folly

So, I finally got to try Opium eau de parfum.  What a green thing I am, when it comes to perfume concentrations.  Why was I so silly to think that a higher concentration would mean a stronger version of the same scent?

I'm going to explain so that no one else makes the same mistake I did.  Being a perfume novice is not bad--but you don't want to spend $60 on something that disappoints.

Eau de parfum is a stronger fragrance than eau de toilette, but not only that--it is a completely different fragrance, at least to my nose.  And not the kind of different that I like.

 

 

Opium eau de parfum, when first sprayed, is rather heavenly.  One can smell the citrus notes and the spicy florals.  But dry-down is disappointing, to say the least.  What happened to the amber and vanilla notes that make Opium an oriental fragrance?  The dry down just smelled like...Soap.  I guess I should have listened to my intuition, as I didn't like the bottle much.  Looks like a stick of liquorice is stuck in it.

Today I'm going to try to get the eau de toilette.  While not as strong as I may like, it actually smells like the Opium I adore, with an addictively sweet dry-down of vanilla and tantalizing amber, and a hint of spice.

Vintage Perfume Obsession

Recently I was given Shalimar by a friend.  They were two sample bottles of the Eau de Toilette, and I was so excited, as I have been wanting Shalimar for a while now.  My grandmother wore it, and the smell of it reminds me of her.  I am fascinated by the fact that a perfume from 1926 is still admired by many--and its fragrance does not seem "dated."  It makes me feel so classy and enigmatic when I wear it, and the vanilla in the base note is not too cloyingly sweet.

 

One of the sample bottles looks something like this--so cute!

Another perfume I am absolutely obsessed with is Yves Saint Laurent 'Opium'.  I don't own any of this and it's driving me a little crazy.  The fragrance is so mysterious, spicy/sweet, and...addictive.  Absolutely one of the most seductive fragrances I've ever smelled.  I want to save up and buy some, but I'm not sure if I want the eau de parfum or eau de toilette.  I tried one back in December that I just loved, but I'm not sure which it was.  I tried this eau de toilette recently, and did not find it strong enough.

 

"EdT" spray I tried a couple days ago.

The very first opium I tried was spicier, lasted a couple weeks on the scarf I sprayed it on, and it came in a lovely glass bottle.  But there's a version of the eau de toilette that comes in the same bottle--I don't know which one is for me!

The one I really loved looked something like this...

Vintage-Friendly Lipstick #1: Revlon Teak Rose

 

The first vintage-friendly lipstick I would like to feature is Revlon's SuperLustrous lipstick in "Teak Rose."  This is a fabulous anytime shade, good for both casual and formal outings.  Also, the rosy pink is quite conservative, if you want a pleasant shade to wear to work.  It can be worn in the daytime or for evening outings.  It's very versatile, and the coloring is so flattering that I always keep a tube in my purse for those emergency days when I feel like I really need something to liven up my complexion.

With Ezra!

Recommended for: I would recommend this shade to just about anyone, and I think it is particularly great for redheads.

Adventures in Handmade Perfuming

While I'm getting prepared for the lipstick posts, I thought I would entertain you all with a little background on what I've been up to lately.  As I've mentioned before, I create handmade perfumes--although the ingredients are not 100% all natural.  My perfume business is called Eliza Fragrances (click here to visit my Facebook page).  Lately I've been intrigued by solid perfumes, and I'm thinking it may be something I want to specialize in.  There are a lot of benefits of solid perfume, in relation to alcohol-based; they are more skin-friendly and better for the environment.  The base of these perfumes is beeswax and jojoba oil.  Below is an example of one of my solid perfumes.

'Evening in Ceylon' is a classic oriental perfume with notes of bergamot, carnation, mandarin, jasmine, amber, and vanilla.

More information is available on my Facebook page, or you can email me at eliza.fragrances@gmail.com, or leave a comment here!

Coming Soon!--Vintage Friendly Lipcolors

Hello vintage lovers!

Once again, I'm sorry I have not been much of a blogger lately.  I've been working on my business, and my soon-to-be "official" photographer moved out of state, so I've been looking for someone else to shoot photos for me.  Maybe I just need to utilize the self-timer on my camera, eh?  ;)

 

The classy and sassy Ava Gardner; I love how her lipstick matches those polka dots!

A future post I would really like to do is a review of vintage-friendly modern lipstick shades.  They'll probably all be Revlon lipsticks, as that is usually the only brand I buy...I'll explain more about that later.  Anyhow, I'm hoping to provide a variety of lipstick shades that are true to 1930s-1940s vintage culture, with recommendations as to who can use them (i.e. blondes, redheads, or brunettes).  Stay tuned, and I hope I won't disappoint!

Glove Love

Some vintage accessories I really need to seek out are gloves.  Oh, I have a few pair, but they are mostly cream and white shades.  There's nothing wrong with white gloves, but I would really like a variety of colors!  Two shades that pop into my mind's desire are navy and magenta.

How about these magenta suade 1940s gloves?  More for chilly weather, though.

Or these simple, yet elegant gloves that would match with anything?


And here is a link to some perfect wine-colored gloves.  I can't post the copyright photo.

What's sad and has got me flustered (all right, that's an overstatement) is that I once had at least six pairs of vintage gloves.  Now, somehow, I'm down to only three complete pairs...And I've got three other lone gloves who have lost there mates.  What's a girl to do?  Guess I'll have to try the antique shops and see if I can get a few other pairs for the summer!

Oopsie!

I must apologize for my lack of posting!  I have been busy at work with my perfumes, trying to get that business going!  It's a lot of fun, although it can be frustrating sometimes.

I'm not so sure that I'll be doing my 1940s party anymore; just don't know if there is enough time for me to make it really great.  However, I'm planning on doing more 1940s fashion shoots soon!

One Year of Happy Blogging!

It just occurred to me that the Gilded Slipper has been up for over one year!  I am a bit late; my first post ever was on March 5 of last year.

Over the course of one year, and after dealing with many doubts as to whether or not I should continue, I have to say that I am so glad I joined the vintage blogging community!  I have been so inspired by reading others' blogs, and I hope that my posts provide some inspiration, as well.

Here's to what I hope will be many more years of blogging in the future!

♥

~Tia~

Barbra's 1940s Makeover!

Meet Barbra.

Barbra is a thoroughly modern girl.  It would be impossible to give such a modern girl a 1940s fashion look, wouldn't it?...Not at all!  After a gander through her closet, we found some "modern" clothing with '40s reflections.  These consisted of black wide-legged slacks, a blouse with an elegantly bold floral print, and a ruffly cardigan.  But first, to complement the clothes, she gave herself a 1940s face.  Here is how.

1.  Barbra applied a powder foundation for a smooth, matte effect.  She used a large brush for even coverage.

2.  1940s eyes were "wide awake," so Barbra made sure her eyelashes were well-curled.

3.  To accentuate her eyes, Barbra applied a deep brown eyeshadow, working at the base of the lashes and moving away from the inner eye, up into the outer crease.  She used a brush for a soft look.

 4.  When it comes to 1940s eyes, emphasis is on the upper lashes.  Barbra applied a thin line of black liquid liner to her upper lids.  The key is to make a fine, even line.  I see some girls who really paint it on, way up their eyelids, and they end up with an early '60s look.  Keep it modest.  Remember--rationing!  ;)

5.  Blush should be applied, starting on the "apples" of your cheeks, and swept upward along your cheekbones, toward the temples.  Accentuate those cheekbones!

6.  Compete your eye look with very black mascara on the top lashes only.  But extra emphasis on the outer lashes, if possible.

7.  Lipstick--Although many people tend to think of red as the 1940s lipcolor, rose, coral, and "China reds" (orangy red), along with many other shades, were also popular.  Be sure the lipstick you choose is a non-shimmery type.  Barbra chose to go classic with a classic red shade.

8.  Hair--Barbra wanted to go all-out with her 1940s look, so I gave her the classic "victory rolls!"  Her thick hair worked wonderfully well for large, voluptuous rolls.

Bold floral-print blouse with frilly sleeves, tucked into wide-legged black slacks.

  

 "I simply love my ruffly cardigan!"

Getting a 1930s Face

It seems that in the late winter, I am often swept away by an immense affection for the 1930s. I always admire this decade, but I don't know why, at this time of year, I feel such a strong desire to emulate the style. Well, if it is a natural pattern, why resist it? ;)

The 1930s look takes a bit more time than the 1940s look, the latter being my favorite day-to-day style for its elegant simplicity.  However, the mystic allure of a 1930s face is worth the effort required!  I would like to thank my lovely friend Barbra for taking these pictures for me.  (Please excuse my puffy eyes in the pictures; I did not sleep so well the night before!)

What You Will Need:

-Eyeliner in black or brown.
-Eyeshadow in two corresponding shades, one light, one dark.
-Lipbalm.
-Lip liner to correspond with the below shades.
-Lipstick in rose, raspberry, or a rich red.
-Powder with a matte finish.
-Blush in rose or raspberry.

-Brow brush (optional).

-A very black mascara.

Step 1--Complexion

The face of the 1930s was smooth, "flawless" skin.  Not many of us have truly flawless skin, so you may choose to begin this look with a base of liquid foundation.  Personally, I don't care for foundation, and I really don't mind a few flaws here and there.  After all, they add character!  I begin by applying a powder to a clean, moisturized face.  My powder of choice lately is Aubrey Organics Silken Earth, but if you don't mind talc-based powder, I highly recommend Coty's Airspun loose powder.  First created in 1935, it is an authentic choice which gives a smooth, almost porcelain look to skin.

Step 2--Eyebrows

The typical eyebrow look of the 1930s were thin, arched brows, well-defined, extending toward the temple.  If you don't wish to change your brow shape, you must at least make sure that they are well-kempt and cleanly plucked.  Brush them gently into place with a brow brush, if you have one.  If you wish, you may dress them with petroleum jelly or olive oil for a shiny effect.  If your brows are pale, darken them with a pencil.

Step 3--Eyes, Part One

Eyes of the 1930s were defined, but much more modestly so than the previous decade.  Apply eyeliner in black or brown to your upper lid and a very fine line along the edge of your bottom lid.  Don't go all the way around the eye.  

 For a glossy daytime look, you can apply a very small amount of petroleum jelly or olive oil to the eyelids (to match your shiny eyebrows).  For a more alluring evening look, I like a light, shimmery shadow paired with a dark gray or brown eyeshadow.  However, there were many shades of shadows in the '30s, ranging from green, blue, violet, orchid, and brown.  Eyeshadow was applied from the top eyelid up toward the eyebrow.

CoverGirl Sterling Blue

   You can smudge a darker shade of shadow in the crease for a deep-set appearance.

We'll come back to finish the eyes after lips and cheeks are done.

Step 4--Lips

(*I always recommend beginning with a thin layer of lip balm before making up the lips.  This will keep your lipstick from drying out too quickly.)

Lips in the 1930s were full; the top lip with a rounded "bow" shape.  This look is sometimes described as the "rosebud mouth".  The points of the top lip are softened and rounded (as opposed to the sharper, thin look of the '20s).  If you have this look naturally--great!  But if these features of your lips are more sharp, like mine, you may want to do some shape-tweaking with a lip liner.

To ensure that color will last and you won't be left with a ring around your mouth, fill your lips in with the lip liner.

After this, apply a 1930s-friendly lipstick (non-shimmery)--preferably in a shade which corresponds with the lip liner you used.  Here is a list of some modern lipstick shades I've used which could be used for 1930s lips.

Revlon Super Lustrous in Teak Rose (my personal pink favorite)

Revlon Super Lustrous in Rose Velvet

Revlon Super Lustrous in Blackberry

Yes, I love Revlon lipsticks!  If you do not, simply aim for shades of deep red, rose, raspberry, or, if it agrees with your coloring, tangerine.  While not on some authentic '30s color charts I've seen, I do like plum and wine shades when in a '30s mood.

 

I chose Revlon Super Lustrous in Blackberry.

If you like a bit of shine, lip gloss was invented in 1930 by Max Factor, so don't feel guilty about daubing some on your colored lips for a finish.  :)

Step 5--Cheeks

Apply a raspberry- or rose-colored blush to the apples of your cheeks for the complete 1930s complexion.  Begin and the apple of your cheek and sweep back toward your temple.  I really love Aubrey Organics Silken Earth in 'Warmed Rose.'  Another great '30s shade that is more generic is  I like CoverGirl Cheekers blush in 'Rock N Rose'.

Step 6--Eyes, Part Two

Make sure your lashes are well-curled.

Apply a very black mascara to bot the top and bottom lashes.  If you are more daring, and would prefer an even more dramatic look, you can use false eyelashes.

Step 7--The Look

This could quite possibly be the most important factor achieving this look!  In order to truly complete your 1930s face, you need an expression to go with it.  Don't forget to exude a Garbo-esque aloofness.