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The collection includes creams, lipsticks, soaps, perfumes, powders, shampoos, etc. An important factor was due to the war, certain cosmetic items had to be temporarily discontinued so the factories making them could be requisitioned. However, the War Production Board kept a lot cosmetics from being restricted as they were considered essential to a woman's welfare, which was seen in the amount of lipsticks produced as opposed to other products. The collection is primarily American as the countries hit hardest by the war often put in extreme cuts of production. Being glamorous was a wartime virtue.

Notably, many of the products listed on this page were more day-to-day than glamor. Soaps, razors, tooth powder were all necessary, not just for women's fashion, but the soldiers fighting on the front lines as well.

It is also known that many of the reasons for keeping makeup alive and well in America was for propaganda reasons. "Women in the factory" was the primary goal of most advertisements, keeping women working, but also hyping up femininity.

Many of the products listed were from Max Factor, an incredibly prolific brand during the time, as well as Avon Inc. Both of these companies still exist to this day, even when other companies listed went bankrupt or were merged.

References:

Finkelstein, K. (2020). On the Front Lines of Cometics [Review of On the Front Lines of Cometics]. Post & Lintel, 11–18. https://commons.emich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&context=postlinte

Delano, P.D. (2000). Making Up for War: Sexuality and Citizenship in Wartime Culture. Feminist Studies, 26(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.2307/3178592