Preen Cosmetics

I was just looking at some old 50’s adverts on the digital collections from Duke University Libraries, which is simply wonderful for looking and reading through old adverts (which are more like mini articles than the bits of strap lines you get today) and found this one from Helena Rubinstein.

I just love it.

I love the opening to the ad that says, “Glamorous vibrant colours are your natural birthright…” of course they are!  How did we forget that?

And this bit later on where it says, “for you – the exotic brunette!”

Mae West

Something I’ve been looking at lately, and if I’m honest, getting a little obsessed with, is the make-up used by the glamorous Hollywood stars of the 1930’s.

Mainly because they are so cool, and even though I know it took ages to achieve the look, the starlets of the time make it somehow look effortless.

At the close of the 1920’s there was a crash in the stock market and a huge financial crisis (sound familiar, anyone?) so the ladies changed their attitudes towards hair and make-up.

Up till then it had all been flapper girls and rebellious Read more