Makeup Tutorial – 1920s Flapper

I don’t know why but ever since I watched Thoroughly Modern Millie as a kid, I’ve been kind of obsessed with the 1920s. If you haven’t seen it, it features Julie Andrews as a wannabe flapper, looking for the perfect man – one who respects her as a woman and as a person. It’s one of my favorite musicals, and it even has a very young Mary Tyler Moore as Miss Dorothy Brown. Such a fun film.

Anyway, a few years ago I went as a Flapper for Halloween, and it didn’t really work. I just couldn’t get the makeup right. There’s a very specific look to the 20s, so I thought we’d do a little tutorial with one of our models today.

Apply foundation and thin eyeliner like you would with your normal makeup routine. Liquid eyeliner works best, but use what you are comfortable with. Make a cat eye with the eyeliner, so it’s easier for the other makeup to have an outline to use.

Apply charcoal (or any dark gray-ish) eyeshadow to the inside and outside of the eyelid. Add silver eyeshadow to the middle, and blend both inwards and outwards.

If you need help keeping the eyeshadow in a straight line, use some clear tape at an angle and just remove the tape after you’ve applied the eyeshadow.

Apply the charcoal eye shadow to the underneath of your eye – right under your water line.

It’s important to blend the entire time you’re doing this look, because of the dark colors. If you don’t, it will look sloppy.

Add mascara – you can be a little heavy handed here because it’s a darker look. If you’re doing this for a costume party or Halloween, you might even want to add some 1920s inspired eyelashes to complete your look.

Feeling pale? Add some pink circles to your cheeks. Fill in your eyebrows, then apply some bright red lip stick! Apply the lipstick only to the middle of your lips for a more dramatic effect.

Katie Reed

Katie Reed is a passionate writer and mother of four vivacious boys from Salt Lake City, Utah. Drawing from her own journey through TTC, pregnancy, and the joys of raising children, she offers a wealth of insight into the world of motherhood. Beyond her heartfelt tales, Katie delights her readers with family-friendly recipes, engaging crafts, and a curated library of printables for both kids and adults. When she’s not penning her experiences, you’ll find her crafting memories with her husband and sons—Dexter, Daniel, Chester, and Wilder.