Resourcefulness, rationing, and the creativity that kept women glamorous through WWII.
When the 1940s rolled around, it was a decade of sacrifice, it was however, also a decade of ingenuity. With rationing, shortages and factories re-directed to the war effort, women had to reinvent their beauty routines using whatever they could find at home. These weren’t just “tips,” they were survival strategies for staying polished in a world turned upside down.
Below are the real beauty hacks/tips women relied on during World War II.
1. Beet Juice as Lip and Cheek Tint
With cosmetics being scarce, women became creative and clever having had turned to the kitchen. A dab of beet juice created a natural, long‑lasting stain that mimicked the era’s iconic red lip (before Victory Red shade of lipstick was released) and rosy cheek.
2. Pencil‑Drawn Stockings
Nylon was rationed for parachutes, so women improvised:
- drawing a “seam” up the back of the leg.
- shading the legs with gravy browning, tea or tinted lotion.
It gave the illusion of stockings when there weren’t any available.
3. Petroleum Jelly as Mascara and Brow Gel
Mascara was hard to obtain, so women used Vaseline to darken lashes, add shine and groom brows.
It was the 1940s version of a multi‑use beauty balm.
4. Soap as Setting Gel
Before modern gels, women used a damp bar of soap to slick down brows, shape Victory Rolls, and tame flyaways.
Soap offered strong hold and soap was always available.
5. Sugar‑Water Setting Lotion
Salon products were scarce, so women mixed sugar with warm water.
This homemade setting lotion helped sculpt curls, pin curls, and Victory Rolls that lasted all day.
6. Lemon Juice for Highlights
A natural brightener, lemon juice was used to lighten hair in the sun — a DIY alternative to salon color.
7. Cold Cream for Everything
Cold cream was a wartime essential because it replaced:
- cleanser
- moisturizer
- makeup remover
- hand cream
- cuticle softener
Got to love Pond’s Cold Cream! It’s a miracle cream in a jar. After all, one jar did the work of five products.
8. Burnt Cork or Soot for Eyeliner
When eyeliner ran out, women used burnt matchsticks and soot mixed with petroleum jelly.
It created a soft, smoky line reminiscent of Hollywood glamour.
9. Homemade Perfume Sachets
With perfume expensive and scarce, women scented their clothing with dried lavender, rose petals and herbs tucked into drawers.
It kept garments smelling fresh without wasting precious fragrance.
10. Hair Nets to Preserve Styles
Women slept in hair nets to protect Victory Rolls, pin curls and pageboy sets.
This saved time, effort and precious setting lotion.
11. Red Lipstick as a Symbol of Morale
Even when makeup was rationed, women prioritized red lipstick. It was seen as patriotic, morale‑boosting and a symbol of resilience.
Some women even tinted their lips with food colouring when lipstick ran out.
12. Olive Oil for Hands and Nails
With hand cream scarce, women used olive oil to soften dry hands, cuticles and elbows.
It was inexpensive, accessible and effective.
13. Baking Soda as Tooth Powder
Toothpaste shortages led women to brush with baking soda, which is a simple, effective alternative.
14. Homemade Dry Shampoo
Women used talcum powder or cornstarch to absorb oil between washes, also known as the original dry shampoo.
15. Sewing Their Own Hair Accessories
With rationing limiting purchases, women made bows, headbands, turbans and snoods.
These accessories kept hair tidy during factory work and added a touch of style.
Wartime beauty wasn’t vanity, it was morale. Governments encouraged women to “keep up appearances” in both the United States and Canada, as a patriotic duty. These hacks allowed women to stay polished, confident and resilient despite shortages and sacrifice.
Beauty became a quiet act of defiance, a way to hold onto normalcy in extraordinary times.
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading. Until next time!
do you feel fabulous today?
Face by Stace 