3 vintage make-up looks to recreate for your Jubilee party
Ayesha Muttucumaru
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 4 minutes
Celebrate the historic occasion in style with these vintage-inspired make-up looks from the Boots archive
It’s finally here – the Platinum Jubilee, where Her Majesty becomes the first British monarch to reach 70 years of service.
So, how will you be seeing in this once-in-a-lifetime event? Whether you’re headed to a street, garden or house party, taking in the Trooping of the Colour or attending the Platinum Party at the Palace, the bank holiday weekend is set to provide us with plenty of opportunities to let our hair down and have some fun – particularly when it comes to our make-up.
Considering the occasion, it’s only apt that we look to decades gone by for Jubilee make-up inspiration. So, we delved into the Boots archive to source all the tips and tricks you need to know about to make your look as authentic as possible.
But just what is the Boots archive? "The Boots archive acts as a physical corporate memory for the company," says Sophie Clapp, a Boots archivist. "It contains documents, images, film footage and products that chart the development of the business since its beginnings in 1849. It also provides a fantastic look into social history, detailing how we have shopped and the products we’ve purchased."
From adverts to photographs showcasing the key influences and launches of the time, it’s a beauty fan’s dream.
Using three adverts and magazine covers from the Boots archive for inspiration, we asked Sophie and a trio of beauty pros to provide three vintage-inspired make-up tutorials that span the 50s, 60s and 70s. With tips on how to make each look your own and give them a modern twist, they’re sure to see you through Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations and beyond.
50s make-up
What was trending
"The look was sophisticated, grown up and feminine," Sophie tells us. "Hair was neat, lips were full and in bold reds or pinks. Eyebrows were dark and thick, eyelashes curled and darkened, and eye make-up was usually in a single shade, with darker shades recommended for the evening." A winged eye and a generous serving of face powder completed the look.
Front cover of No7 Magazine, 1953
The decade’s key influences
The post-war era marked a change in attitudes when it came to beauty. "Women had tired of the ‘make do and mend’ ethos of the previous decade and were ready for a bit of decadence," says Sophie. "Many women were frustrated by the enforced return to domesticity after the freedom of wartime work. However, there was a definite shift that gradually saw more women venturing out into the workplace and establishing their independence."
The golden age of Hollywood was also a driving force. "Film stars featured heavily in advertising for beauty products throughout the 1950s – Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were style icons in the world of beauty. Figures were curvaceous and lips were full and luscious."
50s make-up tutorial
Klarissa van Looveren-Baines, Boots beauty trainer, recreates a 50-inspired party face @klarissa_baines
1. Create the perfect canvas by exfoliating, applying a brightening eye cream and a hydrating moisturiser. Prepping the skin can make all the difference. Next, apply a primer, such as Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer to help smooth and create a long-wearing base.
2. Then, foundation. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream gives a natural-looking finish that can be built up where you need it. Start in the centre of the face, blending outward in circular motions.
3. Next, use 17. Second Skin Enhancing Concealer under the eye to help lift and brighten the area. Apply it to the inner and outer corners, before blending together – less is more when it comes to the eyes.
4. For the cheeks, apply No7 Lip and Cheek Tint in Dusk Pink, to add some colour. I always start the application further back from the apple of the cheek as this allows space to work the product into the skin for a more natural flush.
5. To set, use a translucent powder, such as IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Loose Powder. Roll it onto the skin using a powder puff as this avoids lifting the product underneath.
6. To achieve that distinctive 50s arched brow, try mapping the shape out to provide a guide. Use an angled brush to apply Anastasia Beverly Hill Brow Powder Duo, to build depth, starting at the base of the brow and working outwards.
7. For the eyes, take a neutral contour shade from the Revolution Forever Flawless Dynamic Serenity palette and work it through the socket, blending outwards with a fluffy brush. Next, apply a softer, highlight shade on the inner corner, taking this over the lid. Remember: contouring creates shadow and highlight brings areas forward.
8. For the winged eye, use a liquid eyeliner with a fine tip, such as No7 Stay Precise Felt Tip Eye Liner. Look straight on into a mirror to stop your lines from going wonky. If you make any mistakes, don’t worry! Just take a small brush with a flat edge to apply some primer or concealer to tidy them up and make them instantly sharper. Give the look an extra edge by making your lines more dramatic.
9. Finish the eyes with a coat of No7 Lash Extender Fiber Mascara and some soft false lashes, such as Ardell Fashion Lash Demi Wispies, for an extra flutter.
10. Finally, that classic red lip. Line lips with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry and then use it to fill in the lips to give your lip colour added staying power. Take a step back and make sure it’s even, before applying MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red on top.
60s make-up
What was trending
"It was all about the eyes in the 1960s as pale lips and doll-like liner defined the decade’s look," says Sophie. The new mascara wand, liquid liners and false eyelashes became make-up bag essentials. Smokey eyes and cat’s eye flicks were the new techniques to master. Teenage model, Twiggy, became the face of the 60s and Boots responded with a brand for teenagers – 17.’ Launching in 1968, the initial range consisted of 15 products, which included eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, lashes, lipstick and nail polish.
The full pouting mouth made a fashionable appearance for the first time and was often coloured in soft nude or pink shades. "Lipsticks were pearlised, which gave a transparent shine and a glossy texture," adds Sophie.
Advertisement, 1969
The decade’s key influences
A feeling of free-spiritedness was evident during this era thanks to widespread social change. "Women had more choice through greater social liberation, educational opportunities and increased spending power," says Sophie. Celebrity-wise, Elizabeth Taylor was again the era’s standout. "Films such as Cleopatra influenced the trend for heavily defined, dramatic eyes."
60s make-up tutorial
The eyes have it in make-up artist’s Lauren Montgomery’s 60s-style look @lvmontgomeryhmu
1. Skin prep is paramount in any make-up look. I always spend a few minutes massaging in a hydrating serum – it makes skin look plumper and more radiant. Try applying a lip balm, too, so that by the time it comes to adding lipstick, lips are well conditioned.
2. A medium-to-full coverage foundation, such as No7 Stay Perfect Foundation, is perfect for recreating this look – it’s lightweight, but long wearing.
3. Apply Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer underneath the eyes and anywhere else where you may need a little extra coverage. Use one shade lighter than your foundation if you want to subtly highlight.
4. Next, apply KVD Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder sparingly on the T-zone to help control shine.
5. Use the NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil in an upward flicking motion to emulate natural brow hair. Finish by combing with the spooly end to distribute the product evenly. You can sharpen the brow with a flat brush and concealer – a clever but discreet way to highlight the brow without actually adding more brow product.
6. Apply the shade Saltwater from the e.l.f Earth & Ocean Eyeshadow Palette over the entire eyelid. A light blue creates a nice contrast to the black liner in the next step.
7. Define the upper lash line with 17. Eye Flicks Pen. I find it easiest to slightly tilt my head back when looking in the mirror to give a clearer view. Keep as close as possible to the lash line, before extending the lines beyond the eye corner, making the line thickest in the centre of the lid.
8. Use a darker blue shade, such as Abyss from the above-mentioned e.l.f. palette, to outline the socket crease and underneath the waterline, following the shape of the winged line on the lash line. Add further definition with the 17. Eye Flicks Pen.
9. Apply Huda Beauty Faux Mink Lash in Farah 12, for that 60s flutter, and then lashings of No7 Lash Extender Fiber Mascara on the top and bottom lashes. Lashes should look long and thickly coated, so don’t be afraid to layer up.
10. For cheeks, the aim is to create an imperceptible glow. Go for a pink that complements your skin tone and lip colour of choice. I used Natural Collection Powder Blush in Pink Cloud.
11. Finish with a pearlised lip colour, such as Maybelline Colour Sensational Pearl Lipstick in Rosewood Pearl. Dab a little onto cheeks and blend with fingers to add a subtle highlight.
70s make-up
What was trending
It was all about artistic self-expression during the 70s. "Make-up became more playful, with eye products and lipsticks available in crayons and paints," Sophie tells us. Product formats saw the greatest change during this decade with the addition of roll-on lip glosses and stick shadows. "Products in tubes brought greater portability and miniature sizes encouraged experimentation," says Sophie. "17’s product range grew from 15 products in 1968 to 130 products just four years later. No7 also placed greater importance on make-up choice and innovation, with a focus on mascara, cream eyeshadows and seasonal colour palettes."
Advertisement, 1974
The decade’s key influences
Everyone from Bianca Jagger to Farrah Fawcett and David Bowie contributed to the era’s carefree and fun vibe. "The influence of the space age was visible in make-up, through pearlised and sparkly eyeshadow shades and glossy lips," says Sophie. "Colours were bright and the applications were bold, and using your fingers for applying make-up became fashionable, making it a more tactile experience.
"Musical influences, such as glam rock and disco permitted men and women to be more creative and provocative."
The result? Glowing skin, high-shine lips and glitter lids that changed with the light when you moved...
1. To begin, prime your skin with 17. Base Glow Illuminating Primer, to create an ideal canvas for make-up.
2. Next, apply Nars Light Reflecting Foundation, for make-up that looks like skin and feels light as air. Take a pearl-sized amount and, starting at the centre of the face, blend out with fingertips.
3. Then apply Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick to cover discolouration, such as dark circles and pat with fingers to blend.
4. For an all-over glowy finish, apply Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer in dots along the cheekbones and blend well.
5. Apply e.l.f. Putty Blush in Maldives, by gently patting over the apples of your cheeks. Add more for an intense pop of colour.
6. For a lit-from-within look, apply Kylie Cosmetics Kylighter Illuminating Powder in Ice Me Out. This will create a multidimensional glow. Sweep over the upper cheekbones, blending upwards.
7. Set your base with Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Oil Control Setting Powder in Translucent, to help achieve a flawless-looking finish.
8. For an electric disco eye look, apply the above-mentioned Kylie Kylighter to the inner two thirds of the lids. Next, take the teal colour shade from the 17. Eyeshadow Palette 050 Glitter and apply it in the area remaining and towards the outer eye. It’s key to blend both the colours where they meet to ensure there are no harsh lines.
9. Create some drama in the lash line with No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil and apply Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in, short, even strokes close to the lash line from the inner to the outer eye corner.
10. Amp up the look with Eylure Volume Lashes No.005. To finish, add a gorgeous hint of sparkle on top of the Kylie Kylighter using the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Smouldering Satin, for extra dimension.
11. Complete the look with nourished and hydrated lips. Create shape with MAC Lip Pencil in Ruby Woo using light, feathery strokes. Then, fill in the colour with one of the bright shades from the Pixi + Louise Roe Collaboration Cream Rouge Colour Palette or No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Pillarbox, working from the middle outwards. For an extra glossy finish, apply Smashbox Clear Lip Gloss Angeles Extra Shine.
If you need any advice on the perfect products to suit you, head in-store to speak to one of our Boots beauty specialists
