Okay, so hear me out. Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to live by a 1950s housewife beauty routine? I know it sounds a little extra, but there’s something so charming about the way they took time to refresh themselves before dinner. Like, it wasn’t just about looking good—it was about feeling good, resetting the day, and stepping into the evening with confidence and calm. And honestly? I’m here for it.
Back then, housewives had this whole routine they’d do before their husbands came home. It wasn’t a nighttime routine, but more of a pre-dinner refresh. Think of it as a little self-care moment before the chaos of family time kicked in (and after a day of chaos wrangling kiddos and cleaning the house.) And while I’m not saying we need to go full vintage (because, let’s be real, life is BUSY), there are definitely some fun and practical things we can borrow from their routines.
So, let’s dive into what a 1950s housewife might’ve done to get ready for the evening—and how I’ve put my own modern spin on it.
The 1950s Evening Beauty Routine (Before Dinner)
Here’s what a typical 1950s housewife might do to refresh herself before dinner:
- Wash Your Face
Start by washing your face with lukewarm water and a cream cleanser, then rinse with cold water to tighten the skin. - Witch Hazel Eye Mask
In the 1950s women soaked cotton rounds in witch hazel, placed them over their eyes, and rested in a darkened room for 10 minutes. - Body Care
Wash your hands, push back your cuticles, and apply a nice lotion to keep your skin soft and hydrated. - Change Into Fresh Clothes
House clothes were for daytime chores, but before dinner, they’d change into something clean and fresh. - Tidy Up Your Hair
Brush it out, style it neatly, or pin it up into an elegant updo. - Optional Makeup Touch-Up
Some women would reapply makeup or add a swipe of lipstick to feel polished and put together.
Here’s What I Do (My Modern Take)
Alright, so here’s how I’ve adapted this routine to fit my life. It’s not about perfection—it’s about feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the evening chaos (or at least fake it till I make it).
1. Wash My Face (Again)
Okay, so in the mornings, I keep it super simple—just tinted SPF or moisturizer and a swipe of mascara. But before dinner, I like to wash my face again to reset. Honestly, I use cool water and my favorite skin care (I use Beauty of Joseon) it just helps me wake TF back up again after a long day haha. I use one of those makeup remover towels to get the mascara off, and let me tell you, they’re a game-changer.
2. Eye Mask (Or My Version of It)
The witch hazel eye mask is such a vibe, but it can sting your eyes if you use too much. Sometimes I’ll do under-eye stickers (you know, the ones that make you look like a skincare influencer), or If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll throw on a face mask too. I’ll use this old matcha green tea face mask I’m obsessed with. The company that made it went out of business, so I’m hoarding my last jar like it’s gold. It’s such a nice little treat, and it makes me feel like I’ve got my life together (even if the baby just threw spaghetti at me 10 minutes ago). To get this time in…I allow a little bit of screen time for this moment of the day. Sorry not sorry. I do as much as I can outside with the babies during the day, but a small amount of screen time isn’t the devil. Haha. Some favorites in our house are Ms. Rachel of course (I used to be a special education aide in an elementary school so I love her methods!), Bear in the Big Blue House, and Little Bear.
3. Body Care
I’m all about keeping it simple here. After washing my hands, I use a little bit of my signature Bath & Body Works scent (Warm Vanilla Sugar or Japanese Cherry Blossoms is what I alternate between.) It’s such a small thing, but it makes me feel put together. Plus, it’s nice to have a little “me moment” in the middle of the day.
4. Change Into Fresh Clothes
This is a non-negotiable for me. I’m in that stage of life where the baby gets my clothes absolutely wrecked by lunchtime. So, before dinner, I change into something clean and pretty yet comfy. And honestly? I usually change her into fresh clothes and wash her face and hands too because, well, solidarity. It’s like hitting the reset button for both of us. Plus she’s usually covered in dirt and snacks from playing HARD all day.
5. Tidy Up My Hair
Here’s my little hack: I keep my hair in an overnight curler all day. It’s up, out of my way, and I just throw a scarf over it to keep it cute. Before dinner, I take it out, brush it through, and boom—soft curls that look like I actually tried. It’s the easiest way to feel polished without spending forever on my hair. PLUS I love that the overnight curls keep my long hair from getting tangled, and keep it out of my face during the day!
6. Makeup Touch-Up
I’ll reapply my tinted moisturizer and add a little cream blush and lipstick + Mascara. But most days, I just swipe on some lipstick and call it good. It’s amazing how much a pop of color can make you feel like you’ve got it together.
Why I Love This Routine
Honestly, this little pre-dinner refresh is such a game-changer. It’s not about looking perfect—it’s about taking a few minutes to reset and feel good. By the time I sit down for dinner, I feel more present, more confident, and way less frazzled. Plus, it’s a fun way to bring a little vintage charm into my day.
Bringing the 1950s Vibe to my Cleaning Routine
If you’re looking for a way to make your evenings feel a little more structured and a lot less stressful, let me tell you about my secret weapon: Domestic Daydreams Radio.
Here’s the deal: It’s a 30-minute guided cleaning routine that walks you through tidying up your home while listening to nostalgic 1950s radio shows like Suspense! or Fibber McGee & Molly. It’s like having a cozy podcast in your ear while you knock out your evening chores.
Here’s why I love it:
- It keeps me on track without having to think about what to do next. (Each cleaning task is guided and timed while listening to the fun radio show!)
- It makes cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a little escape.
- By the time I’m done, my home feels calm, and I feel ready to relax.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by housework or just need a little help staying on top of things, you have to try it. You can grab some free episodes here.
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think? Are you ready to channel your inner 1950s housewife and try out this evening beauty routine? Whether you do the whole thing or just borrow a step or two, I hope it brings a little calm and charm to your evenings.
Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear how it works for you! And remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about taking a few moments for yourself and feeling good in your own skin.
Here’s to fresh faces, clean kitchens, and a little vintage magic. Happy homemaking, darlings! ✨
I was able to find a gal that follows the same 1950s beauty routine, and she did a video on it! So you can watch that below.