Full Name: Eva Jacqueline Longoria
Date of Birth: March 15, 1975
Place of Birth: Corpus Christi, Texas
Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Nationality: American, Mexican
Height: 5′2″
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Ex-husband: Tyler Christopher
Boyfriend: Tony Parker
Occupation: Actress, Model

Eva Longoria Parker keeps her beautiful caramel and milk chocolate based hairstyles fresh by regularly altering the length, the fashion, the portions and even the trimming features. She wears a wide range of hair lengths, methods, shades and even borders ranging from none to side-swept and back.
 
Eva was last seen on July of 2009 while leaving her famous Los Angeles restaurant with her hubby Tony. Her latest July 2009 pointed, smooth haircut is mixed in length with much larger strings bending down towards her chin.

Before this hairstyle Eva was growing her hair and was seen in long verdant gloomy locks. Her hairstyle change was perfectly timed to acclimatize to the blistering hot temperatures in California and her home state Texas.

Besides going much smaller all around in an unreal bob style, Eva has a newly created full side-swept trimming which perfectly drops off a side part.

Eva Longoria’s Stunning Hairstyles

With her gloomy, spectacular beauty, Eva has acquired the hearts of many. This sexy star of Desperate Housewives certainly admired these past few years that many women all over the world have imitated her fashion and style.

Eva frequently wore her dark brown long and silky hair tresses. Her somewhat wavy long haircut matches her gloomy looks flawlessly. She was observed with her shiny layered long haircut which is parted properly on one side and the layers faintly bending inside.

Another layered haircut that Eva wore was one that includes layered trims diminishing just below her shoulders – but this time, it is parted nearly at the middle, paler in color and comes with tender playful waves instead of shiny layers. With this same paler brown shade; Eva had worn her hair very long and straight with the sides clearly covering her face in a layered cut.

Although she’s most of the times seen with long hairstyles, Eva also wore an angled bob hairstyle in medium brown color. This haircut is very short at the back, increasing in length towards the side with its bottoms bending inside to border the face, this bob is evocative of the Victoria Beckham-popularized edition of the bob known as the “pob.”

How to Get Eva Longoria’s Hairstyle

Step 1: Begin with dry hair. Apply a nickel-sized quantity of hair cream all over the outer surface, dispensing it slowly and regularly. Be cautious not to apply the product to the scalp. If the scalp gets oily, it will make the hairs even.

Step 2: Next, by using a big natural-bristle brush, sweep the hair backwards, up and away from the face, and let them fall in a free off-center part.

Step 3: Smoothly finger-comb backwards and sideways of the hair into a short ponytail. It is recommended that you use an elastic, so you don’t frizz or harm your hairs. Don’t pull too firmly.

Step 4: Now you are going to style the ponytail you made into a little round shape at the joint of the neck, which is called as “easy swirl.” Do this by pouching the bottom of the ponytail, and, while holding the tail, wrapping it around the base of the elastic, as if you’re sculpting a donut.

Step 5: Holding your small carved donut, you need about 8-10 hairpins to fix it against the joint of your neck. Place the pins steadily, until you have a complete circle.

Step 6: Scatter with tight holding spray. Remember, because the hair’s pulled into a unfastened spin, it’s okay, and even projected, that some of the trimmings will come out, which will give a very pretty and casual style.

Name: Brad pitt
Date of Birth: December 18 1963
Place of birth: Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Star sign: Sagittarius.
Parents: Mother Jane is a school counselor; father Bill is a trucking firm manager.
Education: Kickapoo, high School in Springfield, Missouri. He studied journalism and advertising at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He left for Hollywood before graduating.
Previous jobs: Earlier than his big break he worked as a waiter in a fast food restaurant, chauffeured strippers, cleaned the Arquette family’s swimming pool in LA and posed in a chicken costume for a restaurant.
Lives: LA.
Love life: Married to Friends star Jennifer Aniston. Previously engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow. She was said to be heartbroken by the end of their affair. Lived for three years with Juliette Lewis, who was 16 at the time they met. Also dated Mike Tyson’s ex-wife Robin Givens, actress Jill Schoelen and 80s popster Sinitta.

Brad Pitt is known as ‘Mr. Perfect’ all over the world. He stir the fashion industry with his ideal features that credited to his thriving career in Hollywood. Brad Pitt came into the limelight in the 1990s for his superb performance in various Hollywood blockbusters. He was awarded the Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his mind-blowing performance in Twelve Monkeys in 1995. Pitt played the lead role in his super hit film Meet Joe Black in 1998. In 1999, Pitt acted in another thriving thriller Fight Club that portrayed him as the complex and colorful character of Tyler Durden. The movie elaborated seven distinct hairstyles of Brad Pitt.

Brad Pitt’s Hairstyles are well-liked by his fans all over the world. He is not only known to keep in touch with the recent trends of the fashion industry but also has the ability of altering his image overnight.

Popular Brad Pitt Hairstyles

Sexy Shaggy
With cutting the ends all over the sliced or razored cut, his hairstyle looks sexy and shaggy. This style is easy to maintain and can be achieved with little effort with a small amount of wax or casting gum. He vaguely styled the trimmed hairs with the help of a razor cut at the 13th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards.

Chipped Ends
At the Cine Vegas Opening Night Screening of his hit movie Ocean’s Thirteen, Pitt was in the dappled corners. He looked great with a simple and basic cut. Pitt just pointed his sides up to a longer point towards the top and the trimmings were fragmented to boost a textured finish. This style is best suite for the thin hairs.

Brad Pitt Long Style
In troy Brad Pitt wore wavy long hairs. Long hairstyles looks great on him. In long textured styles, the hairs cut below the shoulder level and a ‘bit to no’ layers are cut to craft body and give the chimera of volume.

Semi-Spike
Pitt never trims his hair in full punk spikes but his semi-spike hairstyle gives him a great look. In this hairstyle, the emphasis is on quality and sharpness of the hair. His amazing use of brown highlights adds unbelievable depth to the style. This type of hairstyle is one of the quickest and easiest to maintain.

The Brad Pitt Mullet
Pitt’s blonde, shaggy hairs were styled in a conventional mullet, which happened to be the style of the moment in the mid-1980. He played a few unaccredited roles in Less Than Zero, and Now Way Out, No Man’s Land. With time Brad Pitt finally formally broke into the business after he was did a guest appearance beside Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street.

Brad Pitt Short and Cropped Haircut
As Brad came to the top and his love life with Jennifer Aniston made the headlines, he picked a traditional cropped bunch cut with a very small highlights. This hairstyle really worked with Brad’s natural beckon and helped the “bed head” look for men gain popularity.

Brad Pitt Today
Today, Brad Pitt still changes his goatee and hair length from time to time, it seems his tentative days of hairstyles are over, mostly the Brad Pitt mullet! Today it’s all about maintaining his typical sex appeal.

How to Wear a Brad Pitt Mullet Haircut

Cut your hair into a conventional mullet by keeping the top and sides short while leaving some length in the back. If you have wavy hair, you will have a bit more styling choices. A blow dryer and a brush required to shape the mullet. Direct your hair towards back when you have completed your hair drying carefully. A little gel into your mullet before drying will help to add hold and shine. People who want a completely coifed mullet, style with a blast of hairspray.

The term “natural hair” encompasses a wide array of styles, from short naturals to thick Afros, from braids to locks. By natural it means hair that is not chemically treated, hot-combed, or weaved. The advantage of such styles is that they tend to work with the hair’s texture instead of against it, minimizing the potential for damage. It also reflects and proudly displays our ethnic heritage. In recent years, these often low-maintenance styles have become more popular and accepted in our culture and in the mainstream. But don’t forget-having a “natural” hairstyle does not mean that you do nothing to your hair.

Hair Washing
Natural hair should be washed once a week. Look for shampoos that contain moisturizers as well as mild cleansers. Products formulated for “dry or damaged” hair may work best. Use a small amount of shampoo to cleanse the scalp and hair strands; rinse thoroughly. If you wear braids or cornrows, wash every one to two weeks, paying extra attention to the scalp. Women who wear locks should shampoo weekly or every ten days with products for dry hair.

Hair Conditioning
After shampooing, follow with an instant conditioner. Distribute the conditioner throughout the hair, especially on ends, then rinse. If your hair is dry and coarse, treat it to a deep conditioner once a month or so. These treatments will coat the hair shaft and give your natural tresses the shine they need to look healthy and lustrous.

Hair Styling and Trimming
Depending on your style choice, “natural” hair styling may take some time and patience. And you’ll still need to be careful not to damage your hair in the process.

Naturals
Whether close-cropped or Afro length, a “natural” cut probably requires the least amount of at-home maintenance. You can air-dry .hair or use a low wattage hair dryer. Use a soft-bristle brush, wide-toothed pick, or your fingers to detangle. A light hair oil or pomade can be used for moisturizing. You may want to also apply a light gel or pomade for styling. You’ll need frequent trims-once or twice a month-to maintain the shape of your hair. Wrap hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to prevent frizzing and drying.

Hair Braids/Cornrows
To tame fizzing of braids while air-drying, tie a thin scarf around them. Washing regularly is the key to preventing itching and dryness. Individual braids can be worn loose or pulled back in an elegant chignon. You will need to have your hair re-braided every two to twelve weeks. To protect your roots, make sure the hair braider is qualified and experienced. You’ll need to make sure she avoids two common mistakes braiding the hair too tightly and braiding with heavy extensions. Either practice will put stress on your roots and may lead to permanent hair loss. How do you know if the braids are too tight? If you cannot move your forehead or temples or raise your eyebrows after the braids are put in, they are too tight. If you have a headache afterward, they are too tight. Too-tight braiding is responsible for the receding hairlines seen on many black women who have worn braided styles for years. Wrap hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to prevent frizz and drying.

Hair Locks
Locks take a good deal of work and they are not maintenance-free. You must be committed to their care and have patience. If you use twists to initiate your locks, you will need to re-twist hair frequently-several times a month as the new growth appears. To do that, divide just-washed or moistened hair into sections (the smaller the section, the tighter the twist). Divide section in two and twist by either inserting a comb at the ends and turning the comb or by rolling the sections between your palms. Wrap hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to prevent frizz and drying. Variations on locks include yarn locks and silky locks. Don’t over-twist or twist too tightly as hair loss could develop. Avoid long, heavy locks, which could lead to hair loss.

Hair Twists
This popular style is a great way to give your hair a rest from chemicals, heat, and styling. Twists are also less permanent than locks and terrifically versatile. From flat twists and two-strand twists to corkscrew twists, you can experiment and find a style that suits your hair texture and length. “If you’ve never had your hair twisted, you might want to go to a salon for a professional twist or you can do it yourself. Avoid pulling on hair to while twisting. Most twist styles last two weeks. Wrap hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to prevent frizzing and unraveling of the style. At the end of the two weeks, take the time to untwist your hair gently to avoid breakage and knotting. Wash with a conditioning shampoo and conditioner. Trim every eight weeks or so. Again, to avoid hair loss or breakage, don’t over-twist or twist too tightly.

The production of all hair starts beneath the skin surface at the base of the hair follicle. Hair is made of the protein keratin, which also occurs in skin. Each hair strand is composed of three layers, including the cuticle, or outermost layer, the cortex or pigment-producing layer, and the medulla or innermost layer. Though keratin is a strong substance and the hair cuticle is designed to resist penetration of excess moisture and chemicals, our hair is by no means indestructible and each layer can be damaged by styling processes we use every day.

Black hair differs from white hair in a number of ways. For example, the follicles of our hair tend to be curved instead of straight. This curvature contributes to the hair’s curl. It also contributes to our tendency to develop ingrown hairs after shaving and may even be partly responsible for our propensity for hair loss or alopecia. Because our hair is so tightly coiled, it is often dry since the oil naturally produced in the scalp does not flow down from the curved follicle as readily and does not slide down the curled, knotted hair as it does down a straight follicle and straight hair. That’s one reason black women do not typically need to wash our hair as often as Whites-our hair simply does not get as oily. So we do not need to wash our hair every day or every other day like women with straight hair. But we do need to wash it more than once a month, which is not the practice of many black women. Washing weekly is a real must for all black women. Our grooming practices- relaxing, blow-drying, hot combing, washing once or twice a month-also tend to further dry out our scalps and hair.

Black hair, as seen in cross section under a microscope, tends to have a fiat, elliptical shape. A long strand viewed microscopically looks much like a twisted piece of ribbon instead of a straight one. This shape makes the hair more prone to forming very small knots. While this -knotting may make it easier to cultivate some styles like locks, it also makes it more difficult to comb and style straightened or natural hair. Because of this tendency, women of color may have more difficulty combing or brushing our hair without pulling on it with excessive force. “With constant and forceful combing and brushing comes breakage-a little breakage each day that accumulates. This continuous breakage is why many Black women can’t get the length that they desire, falsely believing that their hair won’t grow.

Another distinct difference between black and white hair is that black women have fewer elastic fibers anchoring the hair to the scalp at the dermal layer. “With fewer fibers, women of color may be more prone to hair shedding and loss. That characteristic, coupled with our culturally ingrained tendency to pull tightly on hair while braiding, for example, or while gathering hair into a taut ponytail, can lead to problems such as traction alopecia. The greater numbers of melanin granules in our hair, which account for its dark color, may also produce free radicals that can cause damage to hair and hair loss.

Black hair has many distinctive properties, but is not, by any means, all the same. Because our heritage often includes Native American, European, and/or Latin ancestry as well as African ancestry, “black hair” comes in endless variations. Hair type, texture, and length are all determined by genes, though some changes may come with age. As you learn about your hair’s unique texture and condition-and how to work with it-you’ll be closer to the healthy hair of your dream.

There is really no such thing as an honest-to-goodness, no-bother face. If there are only two things you want to do to make yourself presentable to go out, wear a dark hat and sunglasses. There is, however, a minimal, two-minute makeup routine that you will found adequate for some days. Please remember that you really are the best judge of what you need and want to do and what looks best on you. So you decide what you want to use and what options you want to leave out.

Assuming you have taken care of your skin, that it is clean, that you used your astringent and your moisturizer, you have the following choices (pick whatever things you want to do to your face):

1. If you have circles under your eyes, you will need to put a dab of concealer or your lightest foundation under your eyes, and blend well.

2. Now put a dot of your foundation on each eyelid, and blend again.

3. Take your cream blusher, and put under each cheekbone, and blend.

4. Curl your eyelashes with the eyelash curler, and apply one coat of mascara.

5. Dab on sheer lipstick or a little lip gloss.

6. If you have the time and the inclination, apply a second coat of mascara to your lashes, and you are done.

1. Blend the concealer under your eyes.

2. Dot your regular foundation with a sponge on your cheeks, forehead, eyes, nose and chin, and blend gently with your fingertips. Don’t stretch the ski n by pulling it!

3. Use your cream blush along the cheekbones, and blend.

4. Put a touch of beige powder eye shadow on your eyelids (this is optional).

5. Take black eye pencil, dip it in your mascara, and draw a fine line between and in your upper eyelashes. This will open up your eyes and will last all day. Use the same pencil on the lower lid (no mascara this time) and smudge the line with a cotton swab.

6. Curl your eyelashes with your curler (hold to a count of ten). Put on a layer of mascara.

7. Brush translucent powder all over your face to set the makeup.

8. Put another layer of mascara on your lashes.

9. Put lip gloss or your lipstick on your lips.

Dry Skin

Today the term ’skin type’ is something of an anathema. We all know that our skin can change – from greasy one day to dry the- next (depending on fluctuating hormones and outside factors like the weather), and that we need to change our skincare routine accordingly. While it is true that Mediterranean skin can be prone to greasiness, or an English rose complexion to sensitivity, remember that ‘it isn’t necessarily so.

If crocodile skin describes your face as well as your handbag, you probably have dry skin. While you do not suffer the acne angst of your oily counterparts, you are a walking advertisement for Old Mother Time. Dry skin tends to age quickly and can be flaky. Although its pores are barely visible, and sebum production is minimal, the idea that dry skin suffers no break-outs is a myth.

Most people try to combat dry skin by saturating it with oil- not the best plan if you realize that dry skin is actually thirsty. What it needs is a regular supply of water (taken internally) as well as a boost by using the right face creams.

Oil Skin

You win the jackpot on the ageing lottery if you suffer from oily skin. But while the unsightly lines and wrinkles of premature ageing are kept at bay until later in life, oily skin presents its owner with something of a paradox. Both the best and the worst thing about this skin type (typical of those with olive complexions and Mediterranean features), is that it secretes a lot of sebum. On the one hand this natural moisturizer protects the epidermis from external aggressors such as climate change and central heating, and keeps it young and supple, but on the other hand it leaves the skin susceptible to seborrhoea (overproduction of oil) and the accompanying open pores, angry red spots and break-outs.

In the vigorous attempt to combat the notoriously greasy T-zone, those with oily complexions are prone to over wash and over stimulate the skin. Sadly, instead of minimizing the problem, this serves to increase it as the sebaceous glands work overtime to produce even more sebum to compensate. Avoid the temptation to use harsh strippers in the treatment of oily skin, for although products with high alcohol content give a momentary sensation of freshness, they make it much worse in the long term.

If you do not want your beautifully painted face to slip down your chin and on to your cashmere sweater, you had better learn the meaning of some beauty jargon. Avoid, at all costs, products that claim to be ’satin finish’ or ‘glossy’. These contain fats and silicones that will slide around your face and end up looking greasy. Opt instead for ‘oil-free’ make-up and oil-free moisturizers to stay shine free. Avoid using foundation round the T-zone, and use powder blusher and eye shadow that will not only stay put but also help absorb any excess oil to keep you feeling comfortable. While some cosmetics companies insist that cream cleansers are fine for oily skins, you can find the wash-off type more helpful, as they leave you feeling squeaky clean, just like washing with soap and water.

Combination Skin

This is as near to ‘normal’ as any one skin type gets.Most of us at some time or another, go through dry, sensitive and greasy stages, and sometimes even a combination of all three at once. Combination skins have a T-zone that is generally oilier’ than other areas, with the cheeks suffering from intermittent dryness. Sadly, nobody has yet invented a product that can successfully deliver oil to certain areas while absorbing it from others, so the best way to treat combination skin is to treat it in separate sections. Buying products for dry and oily skin may sound like a double outlay, but each product will last you twice as long, so think of it as an investment.

Make-up choices are easier for combination skin, and really it is a question of a little of what fancy you does to be good. Trial and error is the best method of both elimination and choice here, with no particular rules to go by. The choice of cleansers is also greater for this skin type – either the wash-off or cream versions will do the job. Moisturize only the areas that need it, and do not forget that your skin is a living organism, and as such it changes. Summer and winter months call for different amounts of product, applied in different places.

Sensitive Skin

Nearly everybody experiences the odd allergic reaction at some point, but truly sensitive skin is quite rare. Beware the ‘fragrance-free’ label; however, as often this means that yet more chemicals are included to mask an otherwise noticeable scent.

Although the concept of natural ingredients is an attractive one, remember that sensitive skin can often react violently to products with live plant extracts. Instead, look for products that are labeled ‘hypoallergenic’ (although you would be wise to check the contents just in case), especially ones that contain skin soothers such as kaolin, chamomile and aloe. These days even make-up is packaged with extensive ingredients lists – check your cosmetics in the same way you check your skincare and you will minimize unpleasant reactions. Avoid the sun entirely or protect yourself with a high-factor chemical sunscreen such as titanium dioxide.

The secret weapon in your armory, the lip liner, used masterfully, is the quickest means of changing your lip shape. Used wrongly, or with a heavy hand, it will leave you looking more ugly.

While no make-up artist would be without a lip liner, the majority of women are rather scared of a product that most wrongly associates with looking unnatural and out of date. Produced in a multitude of colors and today’s lip liners blend beautifully with the natural tone and texture of the skin. Available in traditional pencil, push-up crayon and felt-tip form, they are simple to use and easy to carry.

For a modern look, always run the pencil over the back of your hand after sharpening before you actually line your lips. This will soften a very pointed tip, and ensure a more natural-looking outline. Always fill in the whole lip area with the same lip liner, otherwise when your lipstick fades you will be left with an obvious outline. A peachy lip liner used like this makes a great alternative to lipstick for a daytime look. If the lip liner you are using is too dark, tone it down with a little foundation. Keep your lips relaxed, and do not press too hard when applying lip liner. Using small feathery movements will keep the line looking more natural, but be careful not to end up with a broken lip line.

Semi-Permanent Make-Up

If you cannot be bothered to line your lips every time you go out, but like the effect that is achieved when you have done it, semi-permanent make-up (or a tattooed lip line) may be the answer for you. Many a celebrity who has decided against collagen has opted to enhance her pout with a subtle tattoo – very effective, and far less obvious. The process involves injecting color pigments around the shape of your natural lip line, in a shade that blends imperceptibly with your lips. The upsides to this are that it is low maintenance, and you will leave home every day with a pair of perfectly defined lips. The downsides are that it can be painful, some people have had allergic reactions, and it does not last for ever (treatments need to be repeated on average every three months). If you do choose to take this route, make sure that you find a reputable therapist, because ensuing infections can be nasty.

Creating Different Lip Shapes

Change your lip shape, and at once you send out different messages about yourself. If you were not born with lips big enough to rival a little cosmetic artistry can go a long way to improve what nature gave you.

Observe the Ground Rules

Before you apply any color, make sure your base is properly applied. Lips should be covered in foundation or concealer, and brushed with a whisper of translucent powder, to disguise your natural lip line and to create a ‘fixer’ for the new lip shape that you are about to apply.

Natural Lips

If you are content with your lip shape, take a sharp lip liner, and run it against the back of your hand. Then relax the mouth and gently trace your natural lip shape with the pencil. Fill in the lips, lightly, with the same pencil, and finally coat with clear gloss to finish the look.

To Create a Thinner Mouth

1. Use foundation on your lips to provide a base, even out any discoloration, and work as a fixative for lipstick.

2. For filling in, choose a matt color, which absorbs light instead of reflecting it, helping to make the mouth appear smaller. Either opt for the ‘dark slash’ look, or detract attention from the mouth by filling in the new lip shape with a neutral liner, and creating dramatic eyes, instead.

The birth of the 1960s signaled a decade of rebellion. The Pill, the Beatles and the youthful social revolution meant that teenagers finally had a voice. No longer had content to look like their mothers, English girls seen Twiggy as the epitome of a whole new look. Goodbye hourglass figures (throw out your ‘roll-ons’ and your ‘waspies’), hello small bottoms and skinny legs. This was a landmark in defining the new female shape: women no longer felt trapped by their underwear. To accompany this freedom came the introduction of pretty knickers, unpadded bras and tights.

Sixties’ girls quite literally let their hair down. The formal styles of the 1950’s were replaced by long, straight locks, a Vidal Sassoon ‘bob’ or detachable hairpieces and ponytails. The babydoiliook, miniskirts and knee-high boots, formed the basis of a new uniform (the young didn’t want to look like their parents but they did want to look like each other). Now that the baby-boomers had come of age, a generation of disposable income became available. (Estee Lauder cashed in on this with a nail varnish called 24K gold, which was made of exactly that.)

Make-up provided as good a badge of membership of the new minted social group as miniskirts: kohl-lined eyelids and blue eye shadow (courtesy of Mary Quant) greeted you on every street corner, and false lashes – and even eyebrows – lent everybody the same defined curves and exaggerated eye sockets. Blusher (the new name for rouge) was big news in the 1960s. Every shade from pink to pearl was available in washes, creams and cakes of color. These were blended into the hairline, under the chin and on to the neck – the creation of a healthy, outdoor look was of the essence.

Food for skin became food for thought in this decade. For the first time skin was given independent status as the starting point for make-up. High-protein skin treats included ingredients such as honey, royal jelly, vitamins and minerals; bestsellers were Innoxa’s Living Peach face cream, and Lentheric’s Special Formula Skin Food. It wasn’t just topical nourishers that were given the ‘good enough to eat’ treatment: flavored lipsticks and roll-on glosses in cola, cherry or strawberry also made great headway on the make-up front.

Now that color cosmetics were as sophisticated as they were popular, the professional make-up artist came into being. Not just an advisor to the business but a mouthpiece for the public, the noble Italian make-up artist Pablo (with his staple colors of mauve and pistachio) won Elizabeth Arden much-coveted press attention.

Men enjoyed the cultural revolution, too, with males spending fortunes on tinting their eyebrows and having body waves and blow-dries. Twiggy, Catherine Deneuve, Natalie Wood and Bridget Bardot were the icons of the decade.

Escapism was also the byword of the 1940s. While the onset of war threatened to deal a hard blow to the cosmetics industry (short supplies entailed limited alcohol for perfume, reduced supplies of fats for lipsticks, and little or no plastic for packaging), women’s attachment to make-up increased. With the conscription in the war years of single females aged between 18 and 25, imagination and initiative were key to survival; although rations could curb a woman’s spending, they served only to increase her vanity. When stockings proved impossible to come by, leg make-up provided the perfect answer – seams penciled in with eyeliner became so common that they were almost fashionable, and body make-up caught on.

The sale of men’s products soared, too – the great morale boost of luxury products meant that scents for men and soap in ‘man-sized bars’ became number one gifts for servicemen. Even those who would balk at the mention of ‘face powder’ were happy to cover themselves in talc. The American influence hit Europe big time -the presence of American Gis (with their gifts of nylon stockings) added a thrill of excitement to an otherwise tense and worrying time. Hollywood was still the biggest influence on beauty, with Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall and Rita Hayworth as memorable icons.

Glamour, glamour, glamour was the mantra of the 1950s, as the end of the war signaled the beginning of a whole new era. Dior’s New Look revolutionized the world of fashion, with models on the Paris runways boasting pinched-in waists and sculpted busts. This overtly feminine look was accompanied by unashamedly made-up faces and the resumed supply of cosmetics meant that women would make the most of it; eye make-up became a special focus, with false lashes, plenty of shadow and liner, and lashings of lengthening mascara. Now that the grey war years were over, blue, green and violet shadow signaled the embrace of a whole new world of technicolor luxury.

Short haircuts were a form of liberation for women, everyone reeked of violets, and Coty, Rimmel and Charles of the Ritz became big names in the world of make-up. Revlon put cosmetics truly on the fashion map – thanks to Charles Revson, a new shade of lipstick and nail varnish would now be launched at six-month intervals instead of once a year. This gave women more choice than ever before, a phenomenon reflected by the differing icons of the era: while Grace Kelly, Vivien Leigh, Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe offered womanly beauty on the one hand, Audrey Hepburn introduced gamine chic on the other.