Retro Fashion Guide: Complete The Look

As a complement to the Retro Fashion Guide: Clothing, here’s a listing of retro make-up, hair, and accessory resources to complete the look.  Note: Although donning full retro garb, hair and make-up may be tempting, be sure to dilute the look with something modern.  Think Scarlett Johansson, Gwen Stefani, or Dita Von Teese on the red carpet–all retro-inspired looks that are still very today.

MAKE-UP

• Besame Cosmetics:  Started in 2004 by Gabriela Hernandez, Besame Cosmetics is a high-quality line inspired by the pigments and packaging of the 1930s and 40s.  The popular Enchanting Lipstick Set is pictured at left.
• ReVamp Vintage: Under Chapter VI (left side), find links to make-up guides for the 1920s & 1930s (no direct links).
• Short and sweet make-up guides to the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s.
• Here’s a vintage make-up thread on The Fedora Lounge.  Products from Besame, Benefit, and MAC received frequent mentions.

HAIR

Image at right courtesy of Paula Wirth, via Flickr.

Websites

• ReVamp Hair:  Under Chapter VI (left side), find links to hairstyling guides for the 1910s-1940s (no direct links).
• Hair Archives:  A good resource, although the most useful section for DIYers is The Archives.
• Nocturne: The place for finger-wave and pin curl how-tos, among other things.

Books

• 1940s Hairstyles by Daniela Turudich:  This out-of-print, 110-page book is the only semi-available book on the subject.  As a result, prices start at $100.00 on eBay and $175.00 on
  Amazon (original price: $15.95).  Don’t even think of buying it–I only mention the book because it’s rather well-known.  Turudich’s Vintage Face and 1920s Hairstyles are equally mispriced.
• Vintage Cosmetology Books: As an alternative, take your chances on period cosmetology books (specifically beauty school
  textbooks).  Most of the information in 1940s Hairstyles was apparently lifted from vintage beauty books anyway, and you can find books regularly on eBay for $10.00-$20.00.  A particular inspiration for Turudich’s book, according to rumor: Creative Hairshaping & Hairstyling You Can Do, by Ivan of Hollywood (aka Ivan D. Anderson).  It’s extremely hard to find, but I did see it for sale for $10 AUD.  More info: printed in 1947, ASIN: B0007J4UIM, 113 pages.

BUST Magazine Back Issues

BUST’s Hair Hopper column gives step-by-step retro hairstyle instructions.  I’m not sure when the column started–I think 2004–but
it’s fantastic.  Keep in mind that most BUST back issues can be had for under $4.50 (stand price is $4.99), so ignore the $20.00 offers.  Find the following on BUST’s website or eBay:

• June/July 06: Gibson Girl [also short article on Stop Staring! dresses]
• April/May 06: Retro Makeup Tips by Besame Founder Gabriela Hernandez
• Feb/Mar 06: The Flip
• Oct/Nov 05: The Frida Kahlo
• June/July 05: The French Twist
• Feb/Mar 05: The Finger Wave: See a fuller, on-line version here.
• Fall 04: The Beehive

[Note to BUST readers: Of the issues from Spring 04 to the current one, I’m missing Apr/May 05, Winter 04, & Summer 04.  If there’s
another Hair Hopper in these issues, let me know.]