Now that we’ve laid out the political, economic, and social foundations of Prohibition, we can finally turn to how this era reshaped the fashion and beauty industry. Prohibition re-shaped more than nightlife. It re-shaped the aesthetics. When alcohol went underground, glamour followed — slipping into speakeasies, private clubs/speakeasies, and hidden rooms where fashion and beautyContinue reading “Prohibition and Style: How Canada and the United States Reimagined Fashion + Beauty in the Dry Era”
Tag Archives: Makeup
Beauty During the French Revolution
When the French Revolution erupted in 1789, beauty did not simply change, it was weaponized. The elaborate aesthetics of Versailles, once symbolized royal power, became evidence of corruption, excess, and detachment. Beauty had helped build the monarchy’s image, and now it helped dismantle it. In the streets of Paris, powdered wigs, towering poufs, and jewel‑encrustedContinue reading “Beauty During the French Revolution”
What Women Kept on Their Nightstands + Vanity Tables in the 1930s
The 1930s vanity was a small universe of feminine ritual, a curated collection of objects that reflected both the austerity of the Depression and the glamour women still craved. A glass dish of cold cream was almost always present, its thick, velvety texture used nightly to remove makeup and impurities, and to restore softness toContinue reading “What Women Kept on Their Nightstands + Vanity Tables in the 1930s”
Napoleonic Era, Part I: Re-building Beauty After the Revolution (1799–1804)
Welcome to the Napoleonic Era in French Beauty History! Have you got your snack, a drink perhaps? Get oh-so comfortable, as we begin the next journey into French Beauty History, by delving into the Napoleon era! When the French Revolution ended, France entered a strange, suspended moment — a nation exhausted by terror, stripped ofContinue reading “Napoleonic Era, Part I: Re-building Beauty After the Revolution (1799–1804)”
What Happened When Nylon Stockings Were Scarce During WWII? Women Got Creative! Plus, the Birth of Leg Makeup & Sally Henson Leg Makeup
Before we begin, I’ve got a question for you. Have you tried painting the legs to appear like nylon stockings? Including drawing the line at the back of the legs? And I’m not referring to a spray bottle like they have today. It isn’t as easy as it looks I can tell you that much.Continue reading “What Happened When Nylon Stockings Were Scarce During WWII? Women Got Creative! Plus, the Birth of Leg Makeup & Sally Henson Leg Makeup”
The Story of Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder was not simply a beauty founder, she was a visionary who re-shaped the modern cosmetics industry. Her story is one of ambition, intuition and relentless determination. She understood women, she understood desire and she understood the power of transformation long before beauty became a global business. Her rise from a modest New YorkContinue reading “The Story of Estée Lauder”
