Hey, everyone, and welcome back to part five of 25 forgotten beauty secrets women in the 1950s part 5!
It is so fascinating to discover or re-discover beauty secrets from the 1950s, specifically with women. From Pond’s Cold Cream and Vaseline petroleum jelly, such as did you know Kleenex facial tissue was invented in 1924, by Kimberly-Clark through the global phenomenon of Pond’s Cold Cream? How about additional inventions through the miracle in a jar, Pond’s Cold Cream, which include, in addition to the invention of Kleenex facial tissue, but not limited to, cream-based cleansers and cleansing balms that evolved from Pond’s Cold Cream? And Vaseline petroleum jelly? Oh, and those Old Hollywood icons from Marilyn Monroe, to Jackie Kennedy in her early years, and more of whom relied on Pond’s Cold Cream as a “primer” and for everything, even though they had their skin-care doctor to prescribe high-end luxury products, as well as Vaseline as another primer option. Marilyn Monroe’s make-up artist applied Vaseline before make-up application, whether its for film, photo-shoots or whichever. On film it delivered a natural glow, if you will. Check out 25 forgotten beauty secrets women in the 1950’s part 1!
Check out part two, discover Joan Crawford’s pore tightening secret, her infamous ice water facials; Do you want to take a bath like Marilyn Monroe? Then you’ll love to re-create her documented ice bath; pin curls; sleeping in pin curls and why women resorted to this method; silk (and satin) pillowcases, how to refrain from waking up with “the frizz” or “bedhead frizz”; hair; vinegar, lemon juice and beer hair rinse; and why the ladies of 1950s relied on hair rinses. Rainwater, anyone?
Enjoy part three, household skin-care remedies (Aspirin Masks, Witch Hazel and Baking Soda), homemade hair masks and conditioners (egg, mayo and olive oil treatments and Rita Hayworth’s documented hair treatment!), cold spoons for de-puffing the eyes, scalp oiling & packing (Black hair-care) and Aerosol Hairspray.
Enjoy part four that consists of Hair Accessories and Ornaments (Ribbons, Flowers and Combs), 1950s make-up look, nail care and Max Factor Pan-Cake Make-up.
In this section of part five, Milk Baths, Cat Eye (Re-create Marilyn Monroe’s classic cat-eye by her make-up artist), Sleeping Gloves and Socks, Homemade Perfume Layering, Home Perms and Cold-Wave Kits.
Sleeping Gloves and Socks
Women of this decade regularly wore cotton sleeping gloves and cosmetic socks overnight as a core part of their intensive bedtime beauty routines to lock in heavy moisturizers to achieve soft, youthful skin.
The 1950s Overnight Beauty Routine
During this era, flawless, porcelain-like skin was the ultimate beauty standard. Magazines and advertisements heavily promoted overnight masking as a domestic duty and a pampering ritual.
Before bed, women applied thick layers of heavy creams, such as Jergens Lotion, Pond’s Cold Cream, or Pacquin’s Hand Cream, slipped on white, breathable cotton gloves. The gloves prevented the greasy creams from staining bed linens while forcing the skin to absorb the moisture.
Similar to hand care, women slathered their feet in petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or specialized heel salves, pulling on thin cotton or wool socks to heal dry skin to eliminate roughness overnight.
The gloves and socks were almost exclusively made of 100% white cotton. Cotton was favoured because it was lightweight, highly breathable, washable, and did not trap sweat, which could cause skin irritation.
Cat Eye Eyeliner Look (aka Winged Liner)
Initially referred to as the cat eye. When I think of cat eye make-up look, I think of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.
The winged or cat-eye eyeliner became a defining feature of 1950s makeup, popularized by icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Cake eyeliners and gel liners were used to create this classic eyeliner look that has retained its popularity decades later.
The cat eye trend took over women’s fashion and beauty, emerging as a defining symbol of the 50s glamour through iconic upswept eyewear in both fashion and beauty.
The 1950s Cat-Eye Makeup Look
The 1950s marked the birth of the modern winged or cat-eye eyeliner technique, heavily influenced by the pin-up aesthetic and a shift toward eye-centric make-up looks.
Several iconic Old Hollywood film stars prominently wore the cat eye look in the 1950s, defining and popularizing the trend. These Old Hollywood icons whom loved this eye make-up look are Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is arguably the most famous champion of both cat-eye forms in the 1950s.
Monroe popularized “bedroom eyes,” using a subtle, elongated flick of brown or black eyeliner on the upper lid. Her make-up artist, Allan “Whitey” Snyder, famously used a tiny extra downward triangle of shadow on the outer lower lash line to mimic the shadow of her upper lashes, giving her eyes a naturally cat-like tilt.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn brought an entirely different, ultra-chic energy to the now classic look.
In the early 1950s, Hepburn popularized a very distinct outlined cat eye. She favoured a thicker, highly precise wing that swept outward to complement her striking, thick gamine eyebrows.
Brigitte Bardot
While her peak “beehive and heavy liner” look defined the 1960s, the French star actually started the trend in the mid-to-late 1950s.
Following her break-out role in the 1956 film And God Created Woman, Bardot became globally recognized for her heavy, smudged, inky-black cat-eye liner. She made the look appear effortlessly smoky and rebellious rather than perfectly pristine.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was a massive fan of emphasizing her beautiful coloured eyes, Taylor wore a highly glamorous, defined wing of eyeliner throughout the 1950s.
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren began her signature look in the late 1950s. Loren used an exaggerated, graphic double-wing technique, by lining both the top and bottom lids and pulling them upward to elongate her striking, almond-shaped eyes.
Home Perms and Cold-Wave Kits
The desire for long-lasting curls led to the popularity of home perm kits, such as Toni and Lilt. These kits democratized salon treatments, though the process could be challenging and odorous.
Hair was washed, wrapped around rods, and treated with a chemical solution. After a set time, a neutralizer was applied. The result was a head of curls that could last for months.
Milk Baths
Milk baths became increasingly popular during this era, it received such a revival. A major mid-century revival, transitioning from an ancient elite secret into a highly commercialized, essential weekly ritual for regular women seeking soft, porcelain-smooth skin. In addition, to providing exfoliation (lactic acid), often scented with rose petals, honey or essential oils; they were promoted in magazines and home beauty guides as an at-home luxury rather than a medical treatment.
Driven by the post-WWII booming cosmetics industry and Old Hollywood glamour, the milk bath became the ultimate symbol of domestic self-care and relaxation.
Milk baths fit the era’s beauty ideals, which are pale, smooth, camera‑ready skin and were framed as a genteel, feminine luxury.
Typical 1950s recipe and ritual
- Base: Whole milk, buttermilk or powdered milk dissolved in warm bathwater.
- Additives: Rose petals; a tablespoon or two of honey; oatmeal for soothing; a few drops of perfume or essential oil.
- Method: Soak for 15–30 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Women often followed with body lotion or talcum powder as part of the evening routine. The ritual emphasized relaxation and “soft, pale” skin rather than clinical exfoliation.
Housewives relied on convenience and the rapidly growing commercial beauty market.
Commercial “Milk Bath” Products
Major cosmetic houses began manufacturing luxury, shelf-stable powder and cream bath additives that mimicked the properties of milk while adding beautiful perfumes.
- Brands like Shulton sold Desert Flower Milk Foam Bath, which came in beautifully illustrated vintage boxes.
- Luxury fashion houses hopped on the trend, offering highly coveted items like Chanel No. 5 Milk Bath Creme to scent and soften the water.
- Later in the decade and into the 60s, door-to-door sales companies like Avon found massive success selling packaged Avon Milk Bath Powders in decorative, retro plastic milk jugs.
Well that’s a wrap on this series except there are more beauty secrets from the 50s I’ll share separately – it’s so good!
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading. Until next time!
do you feel fabulous today?
Face by Stace 