Evaluation of historical image

To kick start my historical cabaret character I first researched into traditional 1930s hair and makeup to get the most accurate ideas possible. I was initially researching 20s makeup as the script is set in 1929-1930 but came to realise it is completely different type of look. A 20s makeup is a lot more of a dark, rounded smokey eye which became a lot more subtle towards the start of the 30s. I found that looking into 30s icons was useful too and I got a lot of inspiration from Greta Garbo as I loved her defined lip shape and the definition she would have in her eye makeup. I  got most of my visual references from Pinterest as I find they help me the most when creating designs.

I had to keep reminding myself that makeup wouldn't have been as accessible in that period as it is today so I wanted to keep the look semi subtle. I found that a lot of makeup looks focused on the brows and lips so I wanted to do the same for my design. I picked light, neutral shades with no shimmer for the eyes to show a barely there style but still giving them definition. The most challenging part about the design was probably the eyebrows as they needed to be blocked out in order to redraw them thinner and change the shape. Blocking out eyebrows is one of the hardest things to do but fortunately my eyebrows are very light and fine which makes it much easier to get them flat.

For the hair I decided to use a wig as I wanted blonde hair, the wig I used was made for real hair so it was easy to style. It was also quite a long wig so using the techniques we learned in one of Seema's lessons I made it into a short bob. I wanted the curls in the hair to be slightly messy to show that she would have been laying around in bed with sailors and wouldn't have much time in between to touch it up. I pre styled it so all that needed doing to my hair was prepare it for the wig meaning there was more time to concentrate on getting the makeup as clean as possible. The challenge with the wig was that I hadn't learnt how to disguise the lace front which meant they were visible in the final images.

I read a character analysis of Fraulein Kost and also through the script of Cabaret several times to make sure I understood her character and background. I took into account every detail from where she may have come from to where she is now and why.  I wanted to portray both sides of her personality through my image which would be her vulnerability and the confident side. The best way to do this was through the facial expression and body language that I presented when modelling for the final image.