We thought we’d give a nod to the women who attended to the appearance of middle- and upper-class ladies throughout the ages – the lady’s maid. Employed by the lady of the house, the lady’s maid was a female personal attendant whose specific duties included helping her mistress with her appearance (including makeup, hairdressing, jewellery, clothing Read More …
A collection of photographs that show everyday British women in a variety of classic hairstyles from this era with rolls, curls and waves. They also give an insight to the fashions worn during this time. The black and white photographs below were taken between 1940 and 1945 in a professional photographic studio in Lancing, West Sussex, Read More …
Homemade recipes for skin and hair care were very popular during the Regency period. Here are some homemade lotions for dealing with all sorts of things, from brightening the complexion to softening hands. The three makeup items seen commonly during this time – rouge, white powder and lip salve – also had recipes for making Read More …
In the United Kingdom, the Regency is a sub-period of the Georgian era (1714-1830) and runs from 1811 to 1820. It is named after the Prince of Wales who, as Prince Regent, took over rule from his ill father, George III, during this time. In 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV on the death Read More …
Hair and beauty adverts from the 1940s, showing the fashionable colours of the decade, as well as hairstyles, clothing and accessories. Max Factor was the big name of the 1940s, with its hugely successful products Pan-Cake and Pan-Stik (released to the public in 1948). Film stars often lent their face and name to advertisements, where Read More …
Once upon a time, it was all the rage to adorn oneself with beauty patches – little material creations stuck onto the skin to emphasise the whiteness of the complexion and to conceal blemishes. Here’s a look at the patching rage and what the little spots came to signify. History Roman woman wore small, round beauty Read More …
Following from the 1940s wartime austerity , the 1950s was a time of growth and prosperity. Many economies around the world blossomed and grew. Consumers had more spending money available and the end of rationing opened up the way for new products. New colours and makeup products appeared, and the luxury cosmetics market took off. Read More …
The advertising industry now had more power than ever before. More people were buying a television for the home and TV advertising had a meteoric rise as, one by one, the commercial channels launched throughout the decade. Print advertising didn’t suffer either, with magazines galore aimed at different consumer groups, all targeted accordingly by the Read More …
Following on from the hardship of World War II and rationing, the fifties was a time of relative prosperity. Disposable income combined with an increase in mass media encouraged the consumption of fashion. New hair care products, including one-step colours, were designed to allow women to do their own hair easily at home – and women Read More …
The majority of adverts from the 1920s use illustrations – even famous faces were most likely drawn. Photography was used occasionally. Some adverts have a lot of narrative, describing in great detail how wonderful their products are and how to use them – a real insight into the thinking of the era. The way women Read More …