Vanity Table Items Popular in the Fifties

Cosmetics

• A lot of work went into creating the sweet, feminine look of the 1950s. Pressed powder and liquid foundation were necessary elements used by most women for a flawless finish. Lipsticks in colors such as pink, red and peach and encased in decorative gold tubes were proudly displayed. When it came to the eyes, it would have been odd, if not impossible, to find a dressing table that didn't contain at least one set of false eyelashes during this time period.

Haircare

• Girls and women in the 1950s put a lot of time and effort into the popular hairstyles of the decade. Cans of heavy-duty hairspray designed to hold hair into place, bobby pins and an assortment of rollers were all staples found on the dressing table. An assortment of scarves in a variety of colors for wear around the neck or for tying back a ponytail were also commonly found items. Pink and green jars of a gel hairstyling product named Dippity-do were a must-have item used to tame hair into submission before placing it on rollers.

Scents

• Whether a woman was loyal to one scent or experimented with several, her dressing table was sure to hold at least one bottle, if not more. The perfume bottles of the 1950s were decorative and feminine, making them a pretty touch to be displayed prominently. Chanel No. 5, Estee Lauder, Wind Song and Shalimar are some of the distinct fragrances likely to take up residence on the dressing table. Pastel-colored atomizers added a pretty touch to the table, as did decorative perfume compacts that held perfume in a solid form.

Jewelry

• The simple clothing styles of the 1950s simply begged for adornment with a variety of jewelry. The 1950s woman's well-stocked jewelry box was prominently displayed on her vanity table, ready for her to pluck that day's ornaments from it before she left the house. Jewelry boxes made from white leather, real or faux, and lined with red velvet or pastel satin fabrics were common. The jewelry box often contained the ever-popular pearls, both necklaces and earrings, a wristwatch for day and another for evening, and a variety of plastic beads and baubles.