For those who experienced the 1980s, the decade was a fascinating chapter in history, especially in the world of beauty. This era saw a rollercoaster of trends, from vibrant hues to bushy eyebrows. 80s makeup looks are experiencing a resurgence over 40 years later, inviting a new generation to step out of their comfort zones.
This revival brings back the essence of the era’s makeup – a celebration of standing out and embracing creativity. Think of the iconic looks of Whitney Houston, the early Madonna, or Cyndi Lauper, each showcasing the era’s daring aesthetic.
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80s Makeup Looks
As we dive into the glamorous makeup trends of the 80s, it’s worth noting that women of that era embraced diverse products, all in the spirit of fun and experimentation. So, let’s explore these returning trends that are once again capturing the imagination of the world–from costume parties to the everyday.
Eyes & Brows
Blue, Purple & Pink Bright Eyeshadow
In the 80s, the epitome of cool was defined by sporting vibrant eyeshadows. Neutral shades were simply not enough to capture the era’s bold spirit. To truly stand out, one had to embrace eye makeup in unconventional hues like electric blue, hot pink, and vivid purple.
It wasn’t uncommon for trendsetters of the time to daringly blend all these colors together, creating a makeup statement that was as colorful as the decade itself.
Bold & Bushy Brows
The resurgence of thick and natural eyebrows marks a return to an 80s-era beauty trend, now more popular than ever. Stars like the iconic model Brooke Shields had beautiful brows to go with their voluminous hair.
This look has seamlessly made its way into contemporary beauty routines thanks in part to modern style icons like Cara Delevingne.
To achieve this look, simply brush through your eyebrows with a brow gel, either tinted or clear, as part of your morning makeup ritual. These bold, statement eyebrows pair exceptionally well with dramatic eye makeup, particularly in striking shades of blue.
Rocker Eye
Today, the rocker eye, an emblematic 80s makeup trend championed by icons like Debbie Harry, is making a striking comeback. This edgy look is best achieved with a blendable gel eyeliner, a staple of the era’s makeup kit.
When applied with finesse, the rocker eye exudes a captivating allure. Accentuating the lower lashes adds depth and intensity. For a genuine vintage flair, embrace the raccoon eye effect, a bold statement of the era. Opting for a dark lip liner as a finishing touch elevates the drama.
Asymmetrical Eye Makeup
Asymmetrical eye makeup, a hallmark of singer Cyndi Lauper’s 80s style, plays with unconventional creativity. This trend involves adding color above the eyebrow on one side and beneath the eye on the other, creating a striking, unbalanced look that channels the era’s bold experimentation and penchant for the dramatic.
Heavy Eyeliner
As noted earlier, the ‘raccoon eye’ look was a coveted style in the past. This deliberate, bold look was achieved by lining both the top and bottom eyelids with matte black eyeliner, then artfully smudging it to create a blended, edgy appearance.
This technique exuded a rock-n-roll aesthetic that was irresistibly cool. In modern times, achieving this look is often done using a gel pot or a satin crayon eyeliner, which allows for smoother application and easier blending to recreate that iconic heavy eyeliner style.
Smokey Eyes
In the 1980s, smokey eyes became synonymous with nighttime glamour, showing the decade’s love for dramatic, sultry makeup. Much like 1920s makeup’s love for dramatic eyes, this look blends dark, smoldering eyeshadows, creating an allure perfect for evening escapades.
It was a bold statement, often paired with softer lips, that defined the era’s after-dark aesthetic. Pop icon Whitney Houston embodies the mysterious and captivating charm of the look.
Winged Eyeliner
Winged eyeliner is a timeless beauty classic, known for its simple yet impactful style. It involves using a liquid or a gel eyeliner pencil to draw a precise line that thickens towards the outer corners of the eyes.
During the 80s, winged eyeliner would be paired with dramatic eyeshadow hues on actresses like Joan Collins.
The key feature of this look is the iconic flick at the outer edges, extending the liner past the eye’s natural contour. This element adds dramatic flair and sophistication, making winged eyeliner perfect for elevating any evening or special occasion makeup look.
Statement Lashes
Black mascara was the standard in the 80s, rarely deviating from this classic choice. However, the era was also known for its bold experiments in beauty, and colored mascara was a daring choice for those wanting to stand out.
Vibrant hues like electric blue or violet purple were used to add an extra pop to the eyes, perfectly complementing the decade’s love for color.
This adventurous spirit extended to mixing and matching mascara shades, with some opting for one color on the upper lashes and a different hue on the lower.
This approach added a dynamic edge to the makeup, embodying the decade’s flair for the dramatic and the colorful, especially with standout shades like bright blue.
Lips & Cheeks
Muted Lip
The muted lip look has been a staple in the beauty world for some time. It’s all about showing lips gently touched with balm or just a whisper of color. This approach offers a nod to the 80s aesthetic, pairing understated lips with vibrant, eye-catching eyeshadows in green or gold for a beautifully balanced look.
Today’s makeup companies like Urban Decay and Benefit Cosmetics have showcased this look in modern times. It’s important to distinguish between muted lips and a completely bare mouth. The latter suggests wearing no makeup, whereas muted lips are a deliberate, artful choice.
Pink Lipstick
Bright pink lipstick emerged as a vibrant trend, with shades like magenta and fuchsia dominating the scene. Brands like Coty were at the forefront, offering an array of pink hues that captured the decade’s energetic spirit. Much like the drama of permed, curly hair, eye-catching pink lipstick showed the 80s love for playful boldness and femininity.
Red Lips
In the 1980s, bold red lips were a defining beauty statement, symbolizing confidence and glamour. This iconic look, favored by stars like Tina Turner, featured vibrant, deeply pigmented reds that commanded attention.
This audacious trend often involved matte textures or a high-gloss finish, ensuring the lips were the focal point of any makeup look. The reds ranged from bright cherry to deep burgundy, each shade making its own unique statement.
Metallic Lipstick
The revival of 80s makeup trends has brought back the charm of frosted and metallic lips. Unlike the limited choices of the past, where baby pink was the go-to shade (as seen on Janet Jackson), today’s beauty landscape offers a much broader spectrum of options.
This variety allows for creative expression, enabling you to coordinate your lipstick with your eyeshadow by selecting shades from the same color family, adding a stylish touch to your makeup.
Overlined Lips
One of the key techniques used in 80s makeup to achieve fuller lips is overlining. Outlining slightly outside the natural lip line creates the illusion of plumper, full-looking lips
Using lip pencils that are a shade or two darker than your natural lip color, you can carefully trace just outside the edges of your lips. This technique adds fullness and allows you to create your desired lip shape. Even in modern times, overlining your lips can upgrade your beauty look.
Shaping the Face
Sunny Shades
During the 80s, beach outings were opportunities to showcase bold fashion choices. This era saw women embracing beachwear with flair, often choosing coral lipsticks, shimmery gold eyeshadows, and other sun-kissed hues to complement their looks. Supermodel Christie Brinkley epitomized this girl next door looks.
It’s no surprise that this trend is experiencing a revival. Today’s beauty lovers are drawn to the allure of a bronzed goddess look, and the era’s vibrant, sun-inspired makeup trends are perfect for recreating this radiant aesthetic.
Neon Everything
Neon hues were a defining element of 80s-inspired makeup, bringing a burst of vibrant color to the beauty scene. This trend wasn’t just limited to fashion accessories like leg warmers, fanny packs, and headbands.
These vivid tones also revolutionized the makeup industry, particularly in lip color. Lipsticks in shades like electric pink emerged, offering a bold statement that complemented a wide range of skin tones, adding a pop of fearless color to any beauty look.
Draping
Draping, or contouring with blush, is a technique that stands out for its unique approach to makeup. Known as “color grow,” this method extends beyond traditional blush application. Instead of limiting blush to just the cheeks, it’s blended across the cheekbones and sometimes towards the temples.
This technique enhances the face by creating the illusion of a more pronounced cheek area. Vibrant blush shades, such as bright pink or fiery red, are key to this look, ensuring the cheeks make a bold statement.
Popularized by icons like Grace Jones, this method showcases the dramatic effect of using vivid colors to sculpt and define facial features.
Foundation & Powder
Using foundation to achieve a flawless complexion was paramount, serving as the perfect canvas for the era’s vibrant colors and bold styles.
Foundation evened out skin tone and covered imperfections, while powder set the foundation and imparted a signature matte finish. Brands like Maybelline and Coty were known for their foundations.
Together, they established a smooth, impeccable base that elevated the overall look and ensured lasting freshness and controlled shine.
The Enduring Influence of 80s Makeup
Today’s beauty scene witnesses a revival of the 80s’ audacious makeup, blending its original boldness with a modern twist. Key among these trends is the comeback of vibrant eyeshadow hues. Electric blue, neon pink, and rich purple are making waves again, adding a playful and daring element to current makeup styles.
Another signature retro feature making a return is the emphasis on strong, prominent eyebrows. Modern beauty routines are adopting this look, using the latest brow gels and pomades to achieve thick, well-defined brows.
Incorporating 80s Flair into Today’s Makeup
For those looking to add an 80s vibe to their makeup repertoire, here are some tips:
- Vibrant Eyeshadows: Opt for dynamic colors like electric blue or neon pink to add a lively pop to your eyes.
- Bold Brows: Use brow gels or pomades to sculpt full, striking eyebrows.
- Adventurous Lip Colors: Experiment with unconventional lip shades like bold reds or deep purples to mirror the 80s’ daring approach.
- Glamorous Additions: Incorporate glitter or face gems for a playful yet luxurious nod to retro glamour.
The key to mastering 80s-inspired makeup in modern times is finding the perfect balance between retro allure and contemporary cool. It’s about experimenting, enjoying the creative process, and crafting a unique look that reflects your personal style.
Embracing Bold Beauty
80s makeup looks offer a treasure trove of inspiration for today’s beauty enthusiasts. It’s a reminder that makeup is not just about enhancing features but also a form of self-expression and fun.
The return of these trends encourages us to break free from the monotony of conventional beauty norms and dive into a world of vibrant colors and bold statements.
It’s time to embrace this revival with open arms and brushes! Why not experiment with a neon eyeshadow palette or rock a bold red lip in your next outing?
As we blend the audacity of the 80s with modern techniques, let’s carry forward the decade’s spirit of creativity and fearless self-expression, crafting looks that are uniquely ours.
