Before I Put On My Make Up

A DigitalNZ Story by Courtney Johnston

I wish at school we had been taught how to handle a compact and a lipstick with grace and quiet seductive power ....

perfume, cosmetics, make up, primping, prettifying, crossdressing

Image: James Smiths

James Smiths

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1992 :Half-time. Sports Post cover, 29 June 1946.

Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1992 :Half-time. Sports Post cover, 29 June 1946.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cosmetics

Cosmetics

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ogilvy & Mather, woman modelling cosmetics

Ogilvy & Mather, woman modelling cosmetics

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ogilvy & Mather, woman modelling cosmetics

Ogilvy & Mather, woman modelling cosmetics

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ogilvy & Mather, woman modelling cosmetics

Ogilvy & Mather, woman modelling cosmetics

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Dormer Beck. Cosmetics.

Dormer Beck. Cosmetics.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Dormer Beck. Cosmetics.

Dormer Beck. Cosmetics.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gay Morning cosmetics

Gay Morning cosmetics

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Cyclax cosmetics displayed on U-Rect-It shelving

Cyclax cosmetics displayed on U-Rect-It shelving

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: 1/2 length portait of a model with Iris cosmetics for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

1/2 length portait of a model with Iris cosmetics for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: Showing a range of Iris cosmetics, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Showing a range of Iris cosmetics, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: Showing a dark outline of a woman holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Showing a dark outline of a woman holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: 1/4 length portrait of a model lying down holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

1/4 length portrait of a model lying down holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: Advertising photograph for Walker Perfumes showing perfume gift packs

Advertising photograph for Walker Perfumes showing perfume gift packs

Auckland Libraries

Image: Advertising photograph for Walker Perfumes showing perfume gift packs

Advertising photograph for Walker Perfumes showing perfume gift packs

Auckland Libraries

Image: Portrait of a young woman applying lipstick

Portrait of a young woman applying lipstick

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Isabel Lilian Wilford

Isabel Lilian Wilford

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Advert for Lanntry's Pharmacy Ltd - from Wises Levin Map 1950s .JPG

Advert for Lanntry's Pharmacy Ltd - from Wises Levin Map 1950s .JPG

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Stall at a trade fair advertising and displaying "Pond lily" hand cream

Stall at a trade fair advertising and displaying "Pond lily" hand cream

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: After Steichen of Greta Garbo, 1928. From the series: the men from uncle

After Steichen of Greta Garbo, 1928. From the series: the men from uncle

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Miss Barbara Aitchison

Miss Barbara Aitchison

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sunsilk

Sunsilk

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Women in a department store, alongside a display of Serenade beauty creams

Women in a department store, alongside a display of Serenade beauty creams

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Model wearing Chandelier necklace

Model wearing Chandelier necklace

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Make-up for production "The Pagoda on Thunder Peak"

Make-up for production "The Pagoda on Thunder Peak"

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Actor Ralph Dyer making up in his dressing room

Actor Ralph Dyer making up in his dressing room

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ralph Dyer, female impersonator, Kiwi Concert Party

Ralph Dyer, female impersonator, Kiwi Concert Party

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: John Hunter shaving

John Hunter shaving

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: John Hunter painting his lips, Empire Theatre, Sydney, Australia

John Hunter painting his lips, Empire Theatre, Sydney, Australia

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Head and shoulders portrait of Miss Valda Adams, holding a bottle of perfume

Head and shoulders portrait of Miss Valda Adams, holding a bottle of perfume

Auckland Libraries

Image: Range of Sir International Irish Moss Toiletries

Range of Sir International Irish Moss Toiletries

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: FASTIDIOUS EVE.��Creams, lotions, powders and perfumes are all employed to enhance her charm, retain the "milk and rose*" coipplexion, and the burnished sheen of her hair. (NZ Truth, 18 December 1930)

FASTIDIOUS EVE.��Creams, lotions, powders and perfumes are all employed to enhance her charm, retain the "milk and rose*" coipplexion, and the bur...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Women army personnel in their hut in Miramar, Wellington, during World War II

Women army personnel in their hut in Miramar, Wellington, during World War II

Alexander Turnbull Library