I've always had a deep interest in vintage beauty products. It's partially the fact that I'm a beauty editor, but it's likely also due to the charm and mystique surrounding retro Hollywood icons. (After all, who is Marilyn Monroe without her signature red lip [1]?) Formulas like cake mascara and cream blush have long, fabled histories, and now, thanks to the glory that is YouTube, I know all about how pressed powder was made back in the 1950s.

The video above demonstrates how employees of Charles of the Ritz — a now-discontinued brand that was once owned by Revlon — mixed up various pigments to create a custom powder shade for their clients. You'll definitely learn something from the brief clip, but I advise that you ignore the heartily sexist narration as you watch ("From tram lines to lines women at least are more concerned about, the lines on their faces . . . " Really, dude?).

As the brand representative mixes shades of green, crimson, and lilac to create a soft beige, it's clear that she has an excellent eye for color . . . and that color correcting [2] is a technique that has been utilized for decades. After all, blending those hues not only results in a flattering skin-tone tint but also works to even out the wearer's complexion. (Green cancels out redness, lilac negates sallow skin, and red adds life into a dull face.)

If you're dying to get your hands on a bespoke pressed powder of your own after viewing the above video, know that Three Custom Color [3], a brand known for whipping up custom cosmetics, can do this for you. Or you can actually snag one of Charles of the Ritz's Loose Powders [4] ($5) online.