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Loretta Swit had very minimal wardrobe options during her time on M*A*S*H
Beauty was painless for Loretta Swit.
Pursuing an acting career in Hollywood certainly came with its fair share of perks. From the money, to the attention, many adoring fans and the parties; Being a celebrity in the 1970s was saved for an elite bunch — including M*A*S*H's Loretta Swit.
However, with all the good that came from being a well-known actress on M*A*S*H, there was one thing that made the job even more sweet.
According to a 1975 interview with Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Swit loved being part of the M*A*S*H cast for a much simpler reason than the money and fame.
Where most actresses need to roll out of bed at the crack of dawn in order to be on set early enough for makeup, wardrobe and hair all before the cameras started to roll, Swit's character was already camera ready.
As Maj. Margaret Houlihan, Swit never had to worry about a wardrobe.
"One thing I like about the show is that I don't have to worry about clothes," Swit said. "I get up in the morning, I roll out of bed and put on the same old pair of dungarees."
Houlihan's wardrobe was very limited, considering she was a nurse at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. There wasn't much wiggle room for frilly dresses or short skirts when on duty.
The costumes for M*A*S*H were designed to be authentic representations of the clothing worn during the Korean War era. The cast did what they could to make the M*A*S*H aesthetic feel real.
According to the interview, Swit wasn't required to wear a lot of makeup in her role as Maj. Houlihan. She said the producers of M*A*S*H set a high standard for the look of the characters in order to make it believable.
"I do have a hairdresser, but there's no makeup problems," Swit said. "As a matter of fact, no girl on the show is allowed to wear false eyelashes."
Having such a minimal makeup and hair care routine allowed Swit to create her own schedule that she grew to enjoy. Where many would have to head in early to start the beauty process, Swit's process was painless.
Swit said her makeup and hair routine was one reason she loved working on M*A*S*H — but only a small reason.
"I'm really very happy with M*A*S*H," Swit said. "If the standard continues as high as it's been, I couldn't be in a nicer or better situation for an actress. I have no desire to leave."
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