1960’s Makeup Tips by Pattie Boyd

1960’s makeup tutorials by model and Beatle wife Pattie Boyd. Like Twiggy, she helped popularize the London look of the Sixties.

Pattie Boyd photographed by Barry Lategan for the 16 Magazine article series Pattie Boyd’s Beauty Box in 1965.

1. Pattie Boyd’s Beauty Box – Hair Care Secrets

Since a girl’s “shining glory” truly is her hair, I think it is very important to pay extra special attention to your “Barnet” –– that’s London slang for hair-do.

My hair is long, so I am writing this only for girls with long hair (or girls who plan to grow long hair). First off, cleanliness is the number one beauty secret when it comes to long hair –– or any hair, I s’pose. I usually wash my hair once a day. I dry it in a clean linen towel, then carefully and gently comb all the tangles out.

You will have to experiment with various shampoos to find the one that is right for you. You don’t have to use expensive shampoos. There are very good ones in your five and dime stores. I think a shampoo with olive oil added is good for most normal hair.

Just before my hair is completely dry, I give it a good brushing with a natural bristle brush. Be sure your hair is not still wet, or you will “stretch” it and break off the ends. When my hair is gleaming (still dampish), I take about eight big round rollers and carefully roll up the ends. I curl them over about three times. You have to use more or less turns, depending on how much natural curl there is in your hair.

When my hair is dry, I remove the rollers. Then I lift the hair at the top of my head and back-comb or brush it until there is enough teased up to give me a little “crown.” Next, I comb over the teasing gently until the crown looks smooth and neat. Now I comb my bangs down, over my eyebrows and, holding them lightly, flick the ends up so that I get a curved line (which is very flattering to the eyes).

Finally, I carefully comb the sides and ends, also flicking the bottoms up all the way around. The final move is to spray my hair thoroughly with a good, light hair spray. This holds it in place without getting it all gooey.

If you have trouble with this hair style, don’t despair. Please keep trying and soon you will learn how to do what is exactly right for you and your hair type. Good luck!

2. Pattie Boyd’s Beauty Box – Let’s Talk About Your Face

Now it’s time to talk about your face––it’s care and beauty treatment. First off, you all know that cleanliness is a prime requisite when it comes to having a pretty face. Many of us have skin problems from time to time, and may require special creams or medicated make-up to keep those pimples from “bubbling” up. 

 

Serious skin problems, such as acne, should be treated by a doctor. Oily skin and blackheads can be combatted on a personal level by washing your face at least twice a day with a mild soap (rinse thoroughly), and by watching your diet. Foods that invite pimples and oily skin are soda pop, fried things, chocolate and coconut. Just about all the things we really love, eh? Well, if you want to have pretty skin, you just may have to make a few sacrifices.

A girl with normal skin should not wear much make-up. It looks silly on a young teener, and the boys can't stand it. Here is what I do:

My skin is too far for a foundation cream, so I use only a little on my lips. I sort of make them the color of my face--and I’ll tell you why later. If your skin isn't even-colored and fair, you may use a light foundation. You can buy good ones in the dime store. Drop a drop or two on the inside of your wrist right there in the store and see how well it blends in with your skin tone. After a bit of testing, you will surely find one that seems right for you.

Apply very little foundation to each cheek (with clean hands) and blend it into your skin with the gentle upward motions of your fingertips. It will take a little practice, but if you try you will soon have it down pat. If your skin is too oily for a foundation, I suggest a light powder or a fine coat of pancake make-up. This is put on with a damp sponge and should be exactly the color of your skin, so that it won't look like “make-up.”

I have a roundish face, so the next thing I do is try to elongate my cheek lines. I have a large rouge brush which I lightly twirl in blush rouge and then gently dust some along each cheek just above the jaw bone. This gives the illusion of having a thinner, better-shaped face.

Now, let’s get back to the lips. After eyes, this is the first thing a boy notices about a girl. As I told you before, I put natural foundation on my lips. Then I take a moist, natural pomade (you can buy it in tubes or in the jar) and lightly tap it on my lips. This makes them look completely natural, yet shiny. If I know I am going to be in a place where the lights are dim, I may use a little of the lightest pink lipstick I can find. Anything else looks ghastly on me.

As I said before, each of you will have to experiment a bit as you work out your own make-up problems. It's well worth the go, you know––and I wish you the best of look and lots of beauty!