For a 1950s makeup look, pale skin is in vogue. Bronzer and fake tan were, mercifully, far away in the future. I personally can't be bothered with all that sculpting and shading, and I love my pale skin. So 1950s-style makeup is perfect for me. Use foundation, and set it with a neutral or peachy powder. A soft peachy or rosy rouge will give just that hint of color.

The 1950s woman kept her eye makeup pretty simple. If (like me) you've never quite mastered the art of shading and blending, this will come as a relief! Use a neutral shade like cream to give a smooth base, then apply a pencil, sweeping it out at the end to open up the eyes. Anyone can do this, and it looks simple but elegant.

Women in the 1950s used block mascara, rather than the tubes we have today. They wet the brush, then dabbed it into the block. Does that sound awfully complicated and messy? Give it a try for the authentic look. Alternatively, use a lash-building mascara and apply two or three coats. For special occasions, try some false lashes for full-on glamour.

For 1950s eyebrows, think of stars like Elizabeth Taylor and her bold dark brows. The typical look was to keep them thick on the inside, and then taper them down towards the outer corner of the eye. If yours aren't naturally dark, don't try to paint them on - they'll just look obviously fake! Use a soft brown pencil to create the same kind of arch.

The Fifties woman sure loved her lipstick! A strong color looks perfect with the simple eyes of the Fifties, so get out your boldest red. Remember, we're going for glamour here! Start by smoothing your foundation over your lips to create a base, then powder on top. This will help set your lipstick. Line your lips with pencil, then apply your gorgeous red on top.

Perfectly polished nails are an essential part of the Fifties look. They should preferably be long (you can always have acrylic nails applied, but don't rely on them all the time). Fifties nails usually matched the lips, which is a good excuse to buy a fabulous vampish red. Apply a top coat to ensure that your polish stays pristine.

Finally, no Fifties glamour queen would have omitted a spray of perfume, so finish off your look with a splash of your favorite scent. If you want to be as authentic as possible, you could pick a scent like Chanel no 5, which Marilyn Monroe famously said was the only thing she wore to bed.

Glamour will never go out of style, so take a tip from the Fifties beauties who always looked stunning. Burlesque queen Dita von Teese is a perfect example of how timeless the Fifties look is, and it makes you feel marvelous. What is your favorite makeup era?