1920s Makeup: How to Recreate the Most Iconic Beauty Look in History

If you’ve ever wanted to capture that bold, glamorous, vintage vibe, there’s no better inspiration than 1920s makeup. This was the decade that changed everything. Women weren’t just dabbing on powder—they were making a statement. Dark, smoky eyes, pale skin, thin brows, and those unforgettable Cupid’s bow lips defined an era that was daring, dramatic, and totally revolutionary.

Ready to recreate a fully authentic 1920s makeup look? This step-by-step routine is built entirely on how it was actually done at the time—no modern shortcuts, just pure vintage beauty.

A Quick Bit of History Before We Start

Before the 1920s, makeup wasn’t exactly “respectable.” In fact, most women avoided it unless they were actresses—or trying to avoid being seen altogether. But that all changed in the post-WWI years. Suddenly, beauty became power. Advertisements, movies, and shifting social norms pushed makeup into the spotlight, and women grabbed their compacts and jumped in.

The 1920s were all about contrast: pale skin, dark lips, dramatic eyes. And for the first time, regular women were wearing it out in public, not just behind closed doors.

Step 1: Smoky, Smudgy Eyes

Forget precision. 1920s eyes were smoky, messy, and totally dramatic.

• Start by lining your upper lash line with a black pencil.
• Then dot along the lower lash line—not a full line—and smudge it out using a small smudging brush.
• It’s okay if it looks a little raccoon-y at first. You’ll clean it up with concealer later.

Next, layer your shadows:

• Apply a silver-toned shadow across the entire lid and slightly above the crease.
• Add a darker shade like charcoal or gray just on the lid to deepen the color.
• To soften the top edge, blend with a light neutral or cream-toned shadow toward the brow bone.
• Add a final touch by smudging a bit of dark shadow along the lower lash line for extra drama.

Step 2: Thin, Drooping Brows

Eyebrows in the 1920s were nothing like today’s thick, feathered arches. They were:

• Very thin
• Lightly plucked
• Drawn downward toward the temples

To replicate the look:

• Don’t overfill or darken.
• Just one light swipe of brow pencil, dragging the tail down further than usual, is all it takes.

They were inspired by the exotic, Egyptian influence that swept pop culture during this time—so think mysterious and slightly dramatic, not bold.

Step 3: Long, Dark Lashes

Mascara in the 1920s was still new, but women were obsessed with it.

Before mascara tubes hit the market, women mixed Vaseline with soot or charcoal and brushed it on with tiny applicators. (Yep, seriously.)

To recreate that look today:

• Curl your lashes with a traditional curler.
• Apply a dark, matte-finish mascara from root to tip.
• Go heavy at the base.
• Add falsies for extra drama (it’s a cheat, but hey—it works!).

Step 4: Pale Skin, Powdered Matte

Forget bronzer. In the 1920s, the paler, the better.

Women wanted their complexions porcelain and powdered. The reason? It made their eyes and lips stand out even more.

Here’s how to get the look:

• Apply a full-coverage foundation—even one shade lighter than your skin tone, if you’re not already fair.
• Set it generously with loose translucent powder for that soft, matte finish.
• Don’t worry about glow. This look is all about that velvety, doll-like canvas.

Step 5: Blush in Round Circles

No sculpted cheekbones here. Blush in the 1920s was applied very differently:

• Use a light pink or rosy cream or powder blush
• Apply it in a small circle on the apples of the cheeks
• Blend it out just slightly, but keep the shape round

This technique made faces appear softer, younger, and more doll-like—very in line with the “flapper” aesthetic.

Step 6: The Famous Cupid’s Bow Lips

This is maybe the most iconic part of 1920s makeup—the lips.

• Use a deep red, burgundy, or plum lipstick if you’re going for early 1920s
• Choose a raspberry or medium red shade for a late-1920s vibe
• Draw a dramatic Cupid’s bow, with emphasis at the center of both upper and lower lips
• Do not follow your natural lip line all the way to the corners—you want to create a smaller, more rounded mouth shape
• After applying lipstick, clean up the edges with a little foundation or concealer to perfect the shape

If you want to go full vintage, skip overlining altogether. The look was about charm and expression—not fullness.

Recap: 1920s Makeup in 6 Steps

1. Smoky Eyes: Smudged liner, silver shadow, and charcoal lids for full drama.
2. Thin Brows: Soft pencil brows with a dramatic downward tail.
3. Dramatic Lashes: Dark mascara and a bit of help from falsies.
4. Pale, Matte Skin: Full coverage + lots of powder = porcelain finish.
5. Blush Circles: Soft, rosy cheeks in perfect little rounds.
6. Cupid’s Bow Lips: Bold, defined, and centered—never overlined.

1920s Makeup: Final Thoughts

1920s makeup wasn’t subtle. It was expressive, bold, and sometimes a little over the top—and that’s exactly why it’s still inspiring beauty lovers today.

If you’re into vintage beauty or just love experimenting with dramatic looks, this routine is a total must-try. It’s a perfect blend of history, style, and glam. And when you finish the look, you won’t just feel like you stepped out of the past—you’ll feel powerful, artistic, and iconic.