![]() The Gillette double-edged safety razor, introduced in 1895 and popularized during WWI, saw another burst in popularity during WWII, prompting the company to dedicate its entire production to the US military.Ī soldier, finding himself attending a USO dance or event, was expected to be shaved and trimmed, with a clean and tidy uniform. A typical toiletry kit usually contained a razor, shaving soap or powder, comb, toothpaste or powder, mirror, toothbrush, and soap. The dopp kit (or toiletry kit) was created in 1920 by Charles Doppelt from Chicago and during WWII, he secured a contract with the Army to supply them to troops. In an attempt to maintain grooming requirements, GIs were issued dopp kits by the US Army. Beards and mustaches continued to be outlawed during WWII, however due to razor shortages (an allowance of one blade per week) and the logistics of shaving in trenches, these requirements were more lax. Shaving became a requirement during WWI to ensure a “proper fit and seal on the gas mask and personal hygiene” 6. While beards and mustaches were allowed during the Civil War, the use of chemical warfare changed the game. James Wilkinson), to the short, neatly trimmed style of the Civil War, to the WWII mandate to “keep your hair cut short and your fingernails clean”, men’s hairstyles became shorter and shorter 6.īeards and mustaches were also mandated by the military. ![]() From the low ponytail of the late 1700’s (banned in 1801 by Maj. Men’s hair fashions have been dictated by military requirements since the Revolutionary War. ![]() Lipstick could be replaced with a beetroot lip stain, boot-polish used as mascara (not recommended), and chalk-based powder and margarine-based foundation were made available by less-reputable sources 5. Once a women’s closely hoarded stash of makeup was gone, alternatives had to be found. ![]() However, as “essential” to the war effort as cosmetics were, they, like much else, suffered from rationing and shortages. 4 A patriotic, military cap shaped powder compact.įor a woman looking to go out for an evening, perhaps at a local USO dance, the appropriate routine would include clear skin (Ivory soap was Doctor approved!), a touch of foundation and a puff of face powder (available for a time in the patriotic shape of a military cap), well-groomed brows, blackened lashes, a perfectly coiffed “Victory Roll”, and the ever important swipe of “Victory Red” (the civilian version of “Montezuma Red”, an exact reproduction available here). Thus women were issued an official military kit of matching “Montezuma Red” lipstick, cream blush and nail polish. Elizabeth Arden was approached in 1940 to create a lipstick to perfectly match the red piping on women’s military uniforms. Even when supplies were no longer available to purchase, ads continued, asking women to use their makeup supplies wisely but never neglect their beauty. With makeup seen as a symbol of a “free society worth defending” 2, compounded by Hitler’s hatred of “made-up” women 3, cosmetics companies jumped on the advertising possibilities. Maintaining a sense of glamor in day-to-day life was a way to retain dignity, bravery (much like swiping on war paint), and, in a time of fear, worry and sadness, a little bit of fun. In particular during World War II, the government and cosmetic companies propagandized beauty, grooming and makeup as a patriotic duty (“‘To look unattractive these days is downright morale-breaking and should be considered treason.’ So it was that a lipsticked American woman was a good American.” 1), a coping mechanism, and even, in some sense, a weapon. Women’s beauty occupied a strange space during the World Wars. So for those still single, what was preparing for a night-out like in a time of rationed makeup, toiletries, and clothing? Keep Your Beauty on Duty Though there are stories of couples meeting and falling in love exclusively through letters, most love letters were for those already in a relationship. There is so much insight to be gained from taking a moment to read through these missives, and we highly encourage Warhawk visitors to do so–to learn about the people behind the many artifacts on display. For those at home, they brought a moment of relief and sense of connection. They reminded soldiers, covered in mud on the frontlines, what they were fighting for and that somebody cared. Letters were the lifeblood of relationships of all kinds during WWI and WWII. Letters full of passion, of hope, of worry. Letters between sweethearts, spouses, siblings and parents. The Warhawk Air Museum itself is brimming with letters. When pondering love during wartime, specifically World War I and World War II, most people immediately think of love letters.
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