How to Imitate 1920s Flapper Makeup

Capture some of the magic of the Roaring 20s with a fringy, feathery, fabulous flapper costume! The decade was all about freedom, self-expression, and having a ball; they really knew how to party. Flappers were among the first women to popularize the use of makeup, and they really had fun with it. You can follow their example and get an authentic 1920s look with these easy tutorials.

Fast and Loose Flapper Makeup

A basic but effective 1920’s look encompassing eyes, cheeks and lips. At the 4:30-minute mark she gives a really cute description of the perfect flapper lips: you want them to look as if they are "always kissing!" The tutorial finishes with a quick and wild 20’s inspired hairdo.

Clara Bow 1920s Makeup Tutorial

The 1920s were the golden age of silent films, and saw the rise of the first real movie stars. The ultimate “It Girl” of the era was Clara Bow, and this tutorial will show you how to recreate her famous face. The most useful hint comes at the 2:20-minute mark, where you are shown how to “soap down” your eyebrows so that you can achieve and authentic 1920’s shape without plucking! This is a really authentic look, so if you have a little extra time to spend on your makeup, it’s well worth trying.

1920s Nighttime Drama

A dark and dramatic version of 1920s makeup, perfect for going out. This tutorial is very detailed, with a lot of great pointers. For example, as she says at the 6:20-minute mark, use a foundation that’s a shade or two lighter than your usual color to achieve the pale ivory skin that was so popular with the flappers. This is the ultimate “jazz baby” look!

On the Fringe Flapper Makeup

This is a really fun and flattering take on the classic flapper makeup with a few modern touches. It’s a bit less extreme and a bit more wearable than some of the other looks. Just wait till you get to the 10:30-minute mark, where she adds some fabulous beaded fringe to her eyelashes. It’s not as crazy as it sounds, and it will look amazing with your flapper costume! The video ends with a quick and quirky hair tutorial.