Makeup

[Amanda]

I would like to know what were her favorite cosmetics/brands.
Her makeup is very iconic but I havent found much about it.
I know she talks about makeup in her 1971 book but she is
not very specific.
She was able to look very young in her 1950s movies do I wonder
how was her make up done? She obviously had lots of control when it came
to outfits, hair and makeup in her films.

[davidmorrocco]

I know that Joan did get massages regularly in the 1950’s. She also had a dermatologist. She learned how to apply her makeup early on in her career before being with the MGM girls backstage. They all had makeup tables set up in long rows like an office. I’m sure she was a perfectionist and had a daily ritual too. The ice cold face baths. Being on the big screen with all her closeups, she had to look her best. I would think she changed out her makeup brands as the years went by. I know that many brands of makeup and hair products and perfume were sent to her to use in hopes to endorse different companies. I found out Max Factor was high up there on the list for the makeup she would use. She also liked to keep the movie sets cold to help keep her pours closed. If you’re watching a Joan Crawford movie and like her makeup, check out who the makeup person was in the movie credits and perhaps a Google search can lead you to that person and see if they list his/her favorite movie makeup brands. Remember, that stage and movie makeup is not the same as regular makeup. Just like your day time makeup is not the same as putting on your your evening makeup. I hope that I was able to help a little bit with this one. It’s a great inquiry.