If You Like Makeup Styles from the ‘50s, Try This Easy Tutorial

To say the 1950s represented an iconic era in beauty would be an understatement. Makeup styles from the ’50s embodied an ultra-glamorous approach influenced by the elegance of Old Hollywood, with bold red lips, fresh matte skin, and sultry cat eyes taking center stage. The overall effect was polished yet feminine—an intentional, camera-ready look that continues to inspire modern beauty routines. If that sounds like something you’d like to try for yourself, keep reading. Ahead, we’re breaking down a ’50s makeup tutorial that captures the timeless charm of the decade without feeling stale or dated. Plus, we’ll share a look at some of our favorite products to nail your ‘50s-style makeup with ease.

Key Characteristics of 1950s Makeup

While there are several ways to interpret a classic 1950s makeup look, most versions share a few defining features.

• Matte skin: Unlike today’s preference for glowy, dewy skin, women in the ’50s typically favored a matte finish. This was usually achieved with matte foundation and setting powder, which helped control shine and create a flawless, velvety base.
• Defined eyes and brows: Black eyeliner was a staple, often applied in a winged or cat-eye shape to elongate and define the eyes. Lashes were thick and voluminous, adding drama, while brows were full, arched, and carefully defined.
• Bold red lips: On the lips, red was the standout shade of the decade—whether worn matte or with a subtle gloss, it was always precise and polished.

How To Get a Modern 1950s Makeup Look

If the timeless elegance of ‘50s makeup appeals to you, keep reading. Below, we’re sharing a step-by-step ’50s makeup tutorial that breaks down how to recreate the vintage makeup look, complete with product recommendations and tips for perfecting your technique.

Step 1: Perfect your base

As mentioned, matte skin is a key component of a classic 1950s makeup look. But to keep your base from looking flat or one-dimensional, we recommend opting for a foundation with a softer finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Skin Ink Up to 48H Longwear 2-in-1 Foundation Concealer. This hybrid product—which, as you can probably guess, does the work of both a foundation and a concealer—glides on evenly, delivering full coverage with a weightless, soft matte finish. Unlike some matte makeup, it won’t cake or crease, and it can wear for up to 48 hours, even resisting sweat and humidity. If you prefer a more modern, skin-like finish over a matte look, even out your base with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32-Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, which offers buildable coverage with a natural-looking finish.

Step 2: Add color to your cheeks

Most popular makeup styles in the ‘50s were all about a natural flush—blush was present in most looks, but it was subtler than what we’d typically see today. To create a naturally flushed effect, sweep on a rosy powder blush, such as the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush in Tender Rose, blending the pigment onto the apples of your cheeks in a sweeping, upward motion. If you prefer liquid blushes, opt for a formula without shimmer, such as the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush in Dewy Worth It.

Step 3: Apply a neutral eyeshadow

Like ‘50s fashion, makeup was glamorous, but not overdone. Usually, the lips were the focal point of the look, with the eyes helping to balance things out. That doesn’t mean women of the era didn’t wear eye makeup—just that they tended to keep it pretty neutral to avoid overpowering their look. To create subtle definition, sweep on a matte, neutral-toned eyeshadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Alluring Rose. Apply the color to your lid, then use your finger to soften the edges for a soft, diffused effect.

Step 4: Line your eyes

Next, create your classic cat eye. Using a creamy eyeliner like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner, draw a thin line along your upper lash line, working from the inner corner out. Once you get to the outer corner, flick the liner upward (toward the tail of your brow) to create a short, defined wing. If you’d like to thicken the line or make the wing more exaggerated, you can trace over your original line to create a more dramatic look. For tips on nailing your wing, check out our article 6 Tips To Help You Achieve the Perfect Cat Eye.

Step 5: Swipe on a volumizing mascara

Finish off your eyes with a few coats of mascara for added depth and definition. The key here is to look for a mascara that adds drama without making your lashes appear clumpy or spidery. We’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Big Deal Buildable Washable Mascara, which is designed for layering. You can apply a few coats for a subtler lash look, or swipe on up to 30—no matter how many coats of the lightweight formula you apply, your lashes will resist clumping.

Step 6: Fill in your brows

‘50s makeup emphasized full, arched brows, so if your natural eyebrows are on the sparser or rounder side, you’ll need to enlist the help of an eyebrow pencil to help you get the look. Start by brushing up your brows with a clean spoolie brush to help identify any sparse areas. Then, use the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Mechanical Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil to fill in your brows, paying special attention to your natural arch. For a natural look, we recommend opting for a shade slightly lighter than your natural brow color—anything too dark could result in an unflattering blocky look.

Step 7: Finish with a bold red lip

Last but definitely not least comes the pièce de résistance: your timeless red lip. Start by lining your lips with a bold red lip liner, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in Le Rouge Paris. Overline your lips slightly for a pouty look, or define your Cupid’s bow for a distinctly retro feel. Then, fill in your pout with a red lipstick to complete the look. For a classic lip look, use the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Le Rouge Paris. If you prefer a high-shine lip look, try the same shade from the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lacque Resistance Liquid Lipstick—it boasts a glossy finish that wears for up to 16 hours without transferring or fading. And if a matte look is your go-to, you can complete your glam ‘50s makeup look with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rouge Paris.

3 Tips To Nail Your 1950s Makeup Look

The above tutorial can help you achieve a great-looking ‘50s makeup look, but if you’re looking to elevate it, follow these three tips.

1. Use a lip brush for precision

Applying your lipstick with a lip brush—rather than swiping it straight onto your lips from the tube—can help to ensure an ultra-precise application. Simply sweep the brush into the lipstick of your choosing, then use the angled bristles to fill in your pout, carving out your lips for a clean, defined finish.

2. Stick to a neutral eye palette

You don’t have to wear eyeshadow to embrace ‘50s-style makeup, but if you do, it’s best to stick with soft, neutral shades (think: light taupes, soft grays, or smokey pastels). Avoid anything too dark or shimmery—though these options can be great for a bold night-out look, they may compete with your red lip and make your look feel overdone.

3. Mattify oily areas with a setting powder

If you’re prone to oily skin, complete your routine by lightly dusting your face with a translucent setting powder, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder. This one helps to extend your makeup wear for up to 24 hours while minimizing shine and blurring the look of lines for a flawless-looking finish—no professional airbrusher needed. For extra staying powder, mist your finished look with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist before heading out the door.

Next Up: 13 Easy Makeup Ideas Perfect for Busy Mornings

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris