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Get the look: 1920s make-up and hair

The hair and make-up of the Roaring Twenties is one of the most glamorous eras of all time. We often get asked about the style, so here are some easy ways to recreate the most popular looks at that time.

The hair and make-up of the Roaring Twenties is one of the most glamorous eras of all time. We often get asked about the style, so here are some easy ways to recreate the most popular looks at that time.


MAKE-UP
The most defining make-up look of the 1920s was super-strong smokey eyes, with rose-coloured cheeks, dark-red lips and strikingly arched eyebrows.

Amy, our Savoy Kicks member, with 1920s make-up look

Amy, our Savoy Kicks member, with 1920s make-up look

The lips
The upper lip was heart-shaped with a thinner lower lip, which creates a round looking mouth.
To recreate the lips, you should start by covering your lips with foundation or concealer to get a smooth base for your lipstick. Then the best way to continue is by lining your lips with a dark lip pencil following your lip shape with light strokes, emphasizing the bend in your upper lip. After this, fill in your lips with a similar colour and your good to go. You may not want to go with the full ‘cupids bow’ but
stick to dark red shades to get the best 20s throwback, because in this decade the dark red lips was the only colour available.


The eyebrows
The eyebrows were dramatically dark, arched and much thinner than we tend to do now.
To get the 20s look: take a dark brown or black and darken your eyebrow. Try to do just a really thin and arched eyebrow, by turning your eyebrows slightly downwards with the eyebrow pencil. Extend the ends to make them look extra long.


The smokey eyes
The eye make-up in the 1920s was super-smokey, which means that with just a smudgy dark pencil you would be good to go. Or you could start off with a lighter grey shade by using this as your base and than just apply a dark eyeshadow on to your eyelids. The more dramatic, the better!
To top it off use a black eyeliner around the eyes, especially on the top lip and curl your lashes or use false lashes to make your eyes stand out even more.

If you need more inspiration for 1920s make-up looks here is the link to the Pinterest board we have created.

Louise Brooks with the popular straight bob

Louise Brooks with the popular straight bob

Greta Garbo and typical eyebrows of the 1920s

Greta Garbo and typical eyebrows of the 1920s

HAIR
In the 1920s there were many different types of hairstyles, but the most popular ones are straight bobs or finger waves.


Finger waves
To recreate finger waves hairstyle you need a lot of hairspray and pins to hold your hair in place.
If you have longer hair start by making a bun at the nape of your neck, which should be a little bit off-center, but leave some hair out of the bun on the side with more hair on it, so you can create the finger waves.
Now comes the tricky part: Take the hair you left out of the bun and a straighters and start by clamping your iron down on that piece and do half rotation outwards, to create a little wave. Hold it for a few moments and then move a little bit down to do this process again, but this time do a half rotation inwards. Do this as long as it takes you to complete the piece you left out. Now take the pins and pin your waved hair to the side of your face, secure it with hairspray and you are finished.


You could add a 1920s hair band or other hair accessories, which were typical for the 1920s to top off your look, but this isn’t a need.


In the YouTube tutorial below another easy way to do the 1920s finger waves is shown.


If you are looking to do a faux bob, check out blog piece here. and If you need more inspiration for your perfect 1920s hair and make-up look, you can visit our Pinterest board. MyCharleston put together a board with typical hairstyles and make-up looks. If you want to have a look, simply click here.

If you manage to recreate the look, email in your pics at hello@mycharlestondance.com

 
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Event Elena Burslem Event Elena Burslem

Everything you need to know about a Charleston Hen Party

Planning a hen party for your best friend or yourself can be a lot of hard work. Many things starts to crop up such as budget, location and accommodation not to mention what the activities are going to be. Having just organised my own hen party, the most important thing is to find an activity which is inclusive and breaks the ice. There will be groups of girls who have never met each other before so finding an something which gets everyone participating in, and most importantly having a good laugh, is ideal. 

Planning a hen party for your best friend or yourself can be a lot of hard work. Many things starts to crop up such as budget, location and accommodation not to mention what the activities are going to be. Having just organised my own hen party, the most important thing is to find an activity which is inclusive and breaks the ice. There will be groups of girls who may have never met each other before so finding an something which gets everyone participating in, and most importantly having a good laugh, is ideal. 

My Charleston hen party

Our Charleston hen parties tick all the boxes in terms of getting the party started. A vintage dance lesson is the perfect afternoon activity as they are inclusive, you can dress up, you will have a giggle and learn something new - maybe even a routine to perform on the wedding dance floor?

If the bride to be loves all things vintage then this is also the perfect opportunity to transform her into iconic flapper girl. Grab your pearls, bring headbands and pull on your gloves. Of course, if dressing up is not your thing, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in but it’s a nice touch to add a spot of glamour to your day especially if you are planning a vintage hen party. At the dance class we will factor in some short breaks so you can take snaps and videos of you in your finery and the teacher can take some group shots at the end of the session.

At the Charleston hen party, your packages include an hour and half dance class including warm up, fun games and a simple Charleston routine. We ensure that the routine is something that can be done at whatever your level and always includes the most iconic steps of the era.. We have 4 packages on offer which include learning the Charleston, a Chorus line routine or a dance inspired from the musicals Chicago. We put a lot of effort in putting together a great playlist to match to get your toes tapping and knees knocking!

Our most popular slots are straight after lunch and perfect if you are wanting to combine it with other vintage activities. 

We host all our hen parties in public venues, in the best dance studios in the centre of city which we can source for you making sure you have exclusive use of the space for the afternoon making you feel as comfortable as possible.

Prices vary depending on group size so please get in touch for a quote as we would love to host a Charleston hen party for you!

Make an enquiry



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Costumes Elena Collins Costumes Elena Collins

Get the look: 1920s make-up and hair

The hair and make-up of the Roaring Twenties is one of the most glamorous eras of all time. We often get asked about the style, so here are some easy ways to recreate the most popular looks at that time.

The hair and make-up of the Roaring Twenties is one of the most glamorous eras of all time. We often get asked about the style, so here are some easy ways to recreate the most popular looks at that time.


MAKE-UP
The most defining make-up look of the 1920s was super-strong smokey eyes, with rose-coloured cheeks, dark-red lips and strikingly arched eyebrows.

Amy, our Savoy Kicks member, with 1920s make-up look

Amy, our Savoy Kicks member, with 1920s make-up look

The lips
The upper lip was heart-shaped with a thinner lower lip, which creates a round looking mouth.
To recreate the lips, you should start by covering your lips with foundation or concealer to get a smooth base for your lipstick. Then the best way to continue is by lining your lips with a dark lip pencil following your lip shape with light strokes, emphasizing the bend in your upper lip. After this, fill in your lips with a similar colour and your good to go. You may not want to go with the full ‘cupids bow’ but
stick to dark red shades to get the best 20s throwback, because in this decade the dark red lips was the only colour available.


The eyebrows
The eyebrows were dramatically dark, arched and much thinner than we tend to do now.
To get the 20s look: take a dark brown or black and darken your eyebrow. Try to do just a really thin and arched eyebrow, by turning your eyebrows slightly downwards with the eyebrow pencil. Extend the ends to make them look extra long.


The smokey eyes
The eye make-up in the 1920s was super-smokey, which means that with just a smudgy dark pencil you would be good to go. Or you could start off with a lighter grey shade by using this as your base and than just apply a dark eyeshadow on to your eyelids. The more dramatic, the better!
To top it off use a black eyeliner around the eyes, especially on the top lip and curl your lashes or use false lashes to make your eyes stand out even more.

If you need more inspiration for 1920s make-up looks here is the link to the Pinterest board we have created.

Louise Brooks with the popular straight bob

Louise Brooks with the popular straight bob

Greta Garbo and typical eyebrows of the 1920s

Greta Garbo and typical eyebrows of the 1920s

HAIR
In the 1920s there were many different types of hairstyles, but the most popular ones are straight bobs or finger waves.


Finger waves
To recreate finger waves hairstyle you need a lot of hairspray and pins to hold your hair in place.
If you have longer hair start by making a bun at the nape of your neck, which should be a little bit off-center, but leave some hair out of the bun on the side with more hair on it, so you can create the finger waves.
Now comes the tricky part: Take the hair you left out of the bun and a straighters and start by clamping your iron down on that piece and do half rotation outwards, to create a little wave. Hold it for a few moments and then move a little bit down to do this process again, but this time do a half rotation inwards. Do this as long as it takes you to complete the piece you left out. Now take the pins and pin your waved hair to the side of your face, secure it with hairspray and you are finished.


You could add a 1920s hair band or other hair accessories, which were typical for the 1920s to top off your look, but this isn’t a need.


In the YouTube tutorial below another easy way to do the 1920s finger waves is shown.


If you are looking to do a faux bob, check out blog piece here. and If you need more inspiration for your perfect 1920s hair and make-up look, you can visit our Pinterest board. MyCharleston put together a board with typical hairstyles and make-up looks. If you want to have a look, simply click here.

Now you have got the moves why not learn the 1920s Moves with our online course.

 
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