Cupid’s bow was just as popular in the 1930s, as it was in the 1920s, just more refined in the 1930s; the shape simply evolved. Come the 1930s, the mouth became one of the most expressive features of the face. After the dramatic, doll‑like lips or the “bee stung” lips of the 1920s, the new decade softened the shape into a sleek, sculpted Cupid’s bow that was complimentary when photographed under studio lighting. It was a lip shape designed for elegance, refined and elongated.
Cupid’s bow of the 1930s:
- Defined at the peaks but not sharply pointed
- Slightly rounded, creating a soft heart shape
- Fuller at the centre, tapering gently toward the corners
- Extended just beyond the natural lip line for a lifted, elongated effect
Hollywood shaped this trend that caught on with regular women. Actresses like Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Ginger Rogers wore lips that looked polished yet natural. This was a departure from the exaggerated “bee‑stung” look of the previous decade. Their make-up artists would sculpt the bow with precision, often pairing it with blue undertone-based red lipstick. So a cool red lipstick. Blue undertone is referred to as a cool shade, whether it’s in regards to colour, colour theory which also extends to lighting. Orange undertone is warm.
Popular colours included of the decade for lipstick shades are blue-red, crimson, wine and raspberry.
These tones created depth on camera and gave the Cupid’s bow its signature definition.
To achieve the look, women followed a simple ritual:
- Trace the Cupid’s bow with a fine lip pencil, rounding the peaks slightly. (I use a lip brush and lipstick that’s it, it’s how I have re-shaped lips for photo-shoots).
- Fill in the centre with lipstick, concentrating pigment toward the middle of the mouth.
- Soften the edges with a brush for a velvety finish.
- Add a touch of powder to set the shape and prevent shine under bright lights.
The Cupid’s bow lip look felt more on the romantic side, feminine and glamorous. The sculpted Cupid’s bow remains one of the most recognizable signatures of the decade, a timeless shape that still influences modern make-up today.
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading. Until next time!
do you feel fabulous today?
Face by Stace 