In the early 1970s, there was a definite ’70s does ’40s makeup and fashion trend. This 1972 Coty Originals ad is a great example. Coty was celebrating the 29th anniversary of the Coty American Fashion Critics Awards, and saluted the jitterbug, the upsweep, the funnies, short shorts and the oomphiest reds since ’43. With a… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Beauty
Vintage 1940 Elegant Modess Sanitary Napkins Ad
This charming Modess sanitary napkin ad is from the October 1940 issue of Woman’s Home Companion magazine. It was likely at the start of their long-running advertising campaign of using elegantly dressed models and subsequent “Modess…because” tag line. This ad uses “Soft as a fleecy cloud” caption, with emphasis put on the comfort and security… Read more »
Vintage 1945 Leslie Brooks for Max Factor’s Pan-Cake Makeup
This Max Factor ad from 1945 is very glamorous! It is for the original Pan-Cake foundation makeup created by Max Factor for Technicolor pictures. Pan-Cake was touted as creating a lovely new complexion, helped to conceal tiny skin flaws and it stayed on for hours without re-powdering. It must have been revolutionary at the time… Read more »
Vintage 1940 Max Factor’s Hollywood Red Lipstick
Max Factor cosmetics was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1909 by Maksymilian Faktorwicz, a beautician from Poland. Max Factor specialized in movie makeup, and demonstrated the importance of custom, technical makeup application according to individual nuances and facial structure. He was originally satisfied to remain a specialized supplier to the film industry, but his… Read more »
Yardley’s English Lavender: 1940s and Now
Yardley’s signature scent, English Lavender, has been around since 1873 when it was launched in England. It was popular during the Victorian era in England, and was imported to the USA in the 1880s where it also grew in popularity. This fabulous ad, from the October 1940 issue of Woman’s Home Companion magazine, shows a… Read more »
Vintage 1930s Coty Air-Spun Face Powder Remains a Classic Today
This really pretty Coty “Air-Spun” Face Powder ad is from 1939. Facial powder seemed to be the most popular makeup foundation in the 1930s and 40s. Women applied it directly over their facial cream. Air-Spun powder was made by actually swirling each powder particle by racing streams of air. A texture of cloud-like softness is… Read more »
I'm Marilyn, and I'm obsessed with vintage clothing, thrift stores, clotheslines, and Chanel. Welcome to my down-to-earth world!