Women who lived during the Soviet era always tried to look good. And it did not depend on the shortage of cosmetics, which our mothers and grandmothers still had, or on its quality. Using "Leningrad mascara" was almost a punishment, however, everyone coped with it and looked very good.
This article will discuss cosmetics in the USSR, with photos and names of popular brands. First, let's turn to the history of the cosmetics industry and perfumes used by Soviet women.
Even in those days, ladies wanted to hide their shortcomings with the help of cosmetics produced in the USSR. How they succeeded and what means helped in this, we will consider further.
History of the cosmetics industry
The most popular Moscow stamps in Soviet times were Svoboda and Novaya Zarya. The first production was based on the perfumery enterprise of the Frenchman Alphonse Rallet. The second is supposedly a "legacy" of soap making, the owner of which was also a Frenchman with Russian roots - Heinrich Brocard. Thesetwo firms were opened in the 19th century, after the revolution they were nationalized.
In the USSR, women had to work almost as much as men, maybe that's why they didn't have enough time for themselves. Around the 1930s, the leadership of the country came to the conclusion that more attention should be paid to cleanliness and personal hygiene.
The slogan was proclaimed that hygiene is an integral part of human life. It is thanks to this that they began to produce even more shampoos, soaps and other products. Shops began selling decorative cosmetics.
In 1937, the Moscow Institute of Cosmetics and Hygiene was opened. In the same year, the Trust of Essential Fatty Essences began its activities. It was headed by Polina Zhemchuzhina, wife of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR Molotov.
The TEZHE company produced various cosmetics from the times of the USSR, it produced perfumes, lipsticks, mascaras, powder, creams and other products in assortment. The cost of such cosmetics was a penny, so the products were always on the shelves in abundance. People gradually learned to take care of their bodies. Posters were put up everywhere, promoting cleanliness and hygiene.
In the 60s, USSR cosmetics began to be produced in Leningrad, Kharkov, Simferopol, Krasnodar and other central cities. But at the same time, there was already a shortage.
By the way, the company "Freedom" produces cosmetic products today. Cosmetics are made according to the same recipes as in Soviet times. You can not only remember the cosmetics of the USSR, but also buy, and if you wish, eventry it out for yourself.
Face tone
First of all, consider the way to create the perfect makeup. Tone for the face is an integral part of a flawless image, it helps to mask imperfections, even out the shade. Women in everyday life almost did not use the tone, but the powder was in the arsenal of almost every Soviet beauty.
To make the skin look more well-groomed, soft and tender, the girls used children's face creams. After all, these funds were made from natural ingredients.
Foundation
If the conversation turns to the cosmetics of the USSR for the face, then the tonal base called "Ballet" pops up in memory. It is a cream with a very thick texture, some have even compared its consistency to window putty. There was a feeling of a mask on the face.
The main disadvantage of this remedy was that the skin under it did not breathe at all. Cream "Ballet" was produced in one shade. Young ladies mostly used it only when they were going to a party. Indeed, in daylight, he looked very rude and sloppy.
The foundation was produced not only by this company. The company "Freedom" produced foundation cream-powder "Zheme". In terms of quality, it was slightly better than "Ballet". Cream powder was produced in three colors: beige, peach and natural. But most often on sale you could find a natural color.
Not only in tubes there were tonal foundations, they were also sold in a liquid state in glass jars,which looked a bit like medicine bottles. Photos of USSR cosmetics can be seen in the article.
Powder
The range of powder was much wider than that of foundation. All of them were crumbly and differed only in particle size and the presence of a pad for applying the product to the skin:
- Top quality. These included "Ballet", "Velvety" and "East".
- Group A. This category of powder was of good quality from companies such as Skazka, Hellas, Krasnaya Moskva, and the Kremlin.
- Group B. The quality of the products was average: Chypre, Camellia, Mask.
- Group B. This is the "mass market". These included the following funds: "Violet", "Lilac" and "Carmen".
In addition to the presented groups, there was also "Leningrad" powder. It is suitable for oily and normal skin types. The shades were the most popular: white, flesh, yellow, peach and pink. The composition of all funds was almost the same. But the girls preferred powder, which included rice flour, it was she who matted the skin a little. The consistency of all products resembled crushed chalk.
Powder packaging was peculiar. Funds were sold in tin boxes, on which any sights of the USSR were depicted. The packages could also be silver.
After the war, the box changed somewhat, more often in steel productionuse cardboard and plastic. Cardboard was decorated with a floral pattern. The big disadvantage of this powder was that it did not have a sponge for application. It had to be purchased separately, but not everyone was lucky, because it was a scarce product. Manufacturers recommended using ordinary cotton wool instead of puffs. Although it was more hygienic, it was not very convenient to use it to apply powder.
Some ladies managed to get imported Lancome powder, it was French-made. A plastic container with a distinctive feature - a golden rose, and inside there was a mirror and a sponge. The quality was top notch. The powder lays well on the skin of the face and does not crumble. At the end, the packaging was not thrown away, Soviet girls kept it in their purse instead of an ordinary mirror. And the packaging kept a pleasant aroma of cosmetics for a long time.
Eye Makeup
After performing facial skin procedures, the ladies proceeded to eye makeup. Many tried to highlight them, a little imitating foreign actresses. Long arrows, bright shadows and boldly painted eyelashes were used in make-up not only for an evening out, but also in everyday life. Despite the fact that perfumery and cosmetics were in short supply in the USSR, ladies managed to use artistic products - crayons and pencils for drawing.
Shadows
The situation with the vintage cosmetics of the USSR, and especially with the shadows, was very difficult. A Moscow factory called "Dawn" produced sets of shadows"Elena": a square package with two shades, but there was an option in the form of a fish, three shades of shadows were placed in it. Also in the packages was a sponge brush. On the shelves you could also find large sets of shadows. The color scheme was extravagant, mostly purple, hot pink, emerald, turquoise and similar shades. A little later, calmer ones began to appear on sale: beige, brown and gray. Shadows and other cosmetics of the USSR in the photo can be seen in the article.
It was rare to buy Polish shades of Pollena Miraculum. On the packaging was a drawing of a flower and the inscription "Eyeshadow". They were sold in a set of three colors. They were very bright and saturated, they held up a little better than the Soviet ones.
During perestroika, Ruby Rose shadows appeared and gained popularity. They were mother-of-pearl and differed in the presence of sparkles. They did not last very long, crumbled after a while.
Cosmetics of the USSR in the 80s began to be sold in sets. But not many girls managed to get the coveted Pupa set. Scarlet packaging, in which there were not only shadows, but also powder with blush. Many fashionistas dreamed of just such a set.
Ink
Many people remember the mascara called "Leningrad". This black bar cost 40 kopecks. The packaging was cardboard or plastic. In addition to the mascara, the box contained a hard plastic brush. After the first use, it clogged, became unusable, it was necessary to constantly rinse it. Girls instead of this brush managed to use toothbrushes. The composition of the "Leningrad" carcass included the following components:
- soap;
- beeswax;
- stearin;
- ceresin;
- vaseline oil;
- soot;
- perfume.
Recommendations for use indicated that the mascara first had to be slightly moistened with water and only then used. To save time, the girls simply spit on the bar and brushed it over it. After soaking, apply it on the eyelashes. To make them bright and boldly made up, all actions were repeated a large number of times.
After application, the look of the girls was simply amazing. Eyelashes were long and black. But after a while it loosened up a bit. The big disadvantage of this tool was that it was not waterproof. If the lady was accidentally caught in the rain or her eyes got wet for some other reason, then the spectacle was not for the faint of heart. The ink drained completely. And if a small particle got into the eyes, then discomfort and tingling were inevitable.
Arrows
Arrows came into fashion around the 60s. On sale were pencils called "Cosmetics". At that time, a pencil was very expensive, almost 1 ruble. But it was not so easy to buy it. Many women even to this day remember the softness and durability of that pencil. Some used pencils for drawing. But there were also those who got used to drawing arrows with ink, using a match or a toothpick.
Appetizinglips and rosy cheeks
The final touch in creating the perfect makeup was lip coloring and blush. The simple rule has always been to focus on one part of the face, but mostly the girls did not follow this. They painted their lips with bright lipstick and highlighted their cheeks too much with blush. But many young ladies still had pale lips.
Lipsticks
The most famous lipstick companies were the following: "Northern Lights", "New Dawn", "Freedom" and "Neva Cosmetics". The color range was small, however, they were bright and saturated. The quality and aroma of lipsticks was, to put it mildly, not very good. They blurred, rolled, had to update makeup.
Older ladies preferred to paint their lips bright red. But due to the fact that the lipstick included carmine pigment, the lips were bright for a few more days. It had to be applied with extreme care so as not to resemble a clown.
Blush
Blush in the USSR was different from today. They were too greasy, the consistency resembled a cream. The color scheme was not too diverse, with pinks, reds and plums available for sale.
Very often girls used blush as lipstick. But it also happened that they applied lipstick on their cheeks and shaded. Also, pink shadows were often used instead of blush. Everyone got out of the situation as best they could.
The most famous brand was Este Lauder. This blush was sold in high-end stores, you can buy themit was big money. The blush was sold only in pink, but this did not stop the lovers to make their cheeks more attractive.
Cosmetics "Secrets of he alth resorts of the USSR"
Today, the company manufactures products for the fair sex of different ages. The range of cosmetics is quite wide. The composition of the new series of cosmetics "Secrets of the USSR" includes natural ingredients, the latest technologies are used in the production. The main task of cosmetics of this brand is to improve the appearance and overall he alth.
