REMEMBRANCE DAY - LEST WE FORGET
Hey lovelies, if you’re familiar with the history of war, you’ve probably heard of the quote used to inspire women throughout WW2 and beyond. “We can do it!”. The symbol of strength in women and the power women possess.
And while remembrance day is the time to honour those who fell during the great war, we must not also forget about the brave women who stayed on the homefront. The struggles of defending and protecting their land changed the landscape of women’s suffrage and the daily lives of women were altered drastically because of the war.
During the periods of conflict during the First and Second World War, many women saw the war effort as an opportunity to serve their country in a time where most women were unable to vote or serve in the military. While millions of men were on the warfront, women back home were providing the necessary manufacturing and agricultural needs of the country; building weapons, vehicles and bullets. Not just that, but women during this period provided support alongside the men as nurses, doctors, ambulance drives and translators.
Women were vigilant and prepared to do anything to serve their country. Did you know that the first female police officers were introduced during the first world war in December of 1915? Because of the actions of these brave women during the war, it led to the rise of the suffragette movements and the social progress of women being seen as equal. Through their work, they managed to break down the stereotypes initially assumed and they made sure that a woman’s voice could be heard.
But while the women were back home, rationing was abundant, and women had to make do with what they had as factories had to stop production of most products to make way for weapons. Because of this, women had a to get a little creative when it came to their skincare and makeup regime.
A couple of ways that women were able to look their best on a budget were but not limited to was using shoe polish as mascara, chalk for face powder, and using beetroot as lipstick.
Women back then would also sometimes use TNT Powder as a yellow hair dye. It was so good at turning things yellow, it even turned your skin yellow too, as women who used TNT powder reported signs of dyed yellow skin. (I feel like I don’t need to say this, but please don’t try any of these at home!) For women’s faces, they applied a dark yet warm foundation and a powder that was actually lighter than their natural skin tone, which ended up giving the skin a rosy glow.
Obviously looking back on all this, times have indeed changed, not just for women’s skincare and makeup but women in general. The war effort has been a massive component in the fight for justice and equality for women and from all of us here at DEWCY we can’t be more thankful for all the hard work and dedication they put in in order to make sure we could all be here today. To the men and women, who risked their lives, on both sides of the battleline, thank you all for the tremendous bravery you showed, we will never forget!
Alex xoxo
https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/women
https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2017/11/gravy-stockings-tnt-hair-dye-fashion-ww2/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRVWrr09Jp8
https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/beauty-history-women-and-cosmetics-during-world-war-ii/