The 1980s, an era defined by bold styles, music, and a generous dash of carefree aura of self-expression. The 80s had it all. There were many elements right from the shoulder pads that could not be ignored, along with the neon colors that set the tone for ‘80s confidence. All of ‘80s culture had a signature energy. At the center of this colorful world was the 80’s makeup, a transformative medium that turned faces into works of art. It merged the important ingredient into the unique style of the decade.
This was an entire movement. Those iconic makeup looks broke beauty norms. Blue eyeshadow to the brows, over the top fuchsia blush, and lips that burst with bright reds and shocking pinks made it easy for pop stars and movie stars alike to wear makeup as a symbol of their artistic identity. These makeup looks completely changed how people viewed cosmetics and their value as an essential piece of the growing modern beauty industry.
Interested in learning more about the bold makeup of that era and discovering the lasting legacy of different looks? Come and explore the world of 80’s Makeup with us!
Why the 80’s Makeup Still Matters?
Forget subtlety, the ‘80s makeup mantra was “more is more.” This wasn’t the era of the no-makeup makeup look; it was a vibrant playground for self-expression. Think sky-high hair paired with equally bold faces.
The decade’s beauty scene was a thrilling explosion of color and confidence: vivid blush covered dramatically, eyes painted with electric, Technicolor shadows, and lips always making a statement in daring reds or shocking pinks. While the ‘70s whispered natural beauty, the ‘80s screamed experimentation.
And when it came to application, a light hand simply wasn’t in the vocabulary. Why choose between bold eyes or striking lips when you could rock both?
The Core Elements of Makeup in the 80s:
1. Bold Base & High Blush:
Forget about “your skin but better.” The 80s needed a picture-perfect canvas that was often pale and then set with translucent powder on top. But the main attraction? A huge swipe of hot pink or coral blush that boldly extended from the cheekbone to the temples. This is not simply color, this is extreme contour, sculpting the face!
2. Statement Eyes:
The eyes were a clear statement, glowing with electric blues, bold purples, and shocking fuchsias. These primaries were unapologetic and were often worn in layers or smudged onto create as much unblended contrast as possible. A thick eyeliner was to be worn around both the upper and lower lash lines, duly coated in mascara that was used to exaggerate and pump up any lash to maximum proportion.
3. Loud Lips & Brows:
The lips were ready to take center stage, donning punchy pinks, bright reds, or a playful frosted finish, often more than overlined for an ultra-lush pout. While everything else had a pop of color, the eyebrows remained well-structured yet expressive. They were brushed up in a fluffy and natural way, but there was no mistaking them as anything but a bold statement that perfectly framed the rest of the quirky, colorful fun. This was makeup that was confident enough to not just highlight features, but declare them.
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DIY Tutorials and Hacks for 80’s Makeup:
Now that you understand about 1980s makeup, let’s get ready to start creating! Here’s how to give ‘80s makeup with the help of products like pink blush, bold eyeshadow, colored mascara, and bright lipstick.
➢ Step by Step Tutorial: A makeup look like the 80s:
1. Apply foundation and concealer:
Before diving into vibrant 80’s makeup, start with a smooth, even base. Opt for a natural-looking foundation, neither overly matte nor dewy, for buildable medium-to-full coverage. For extra coverage, use a concealer to hide blemishes or dark circles.
2. Swipe on blush:
For an accurate makeup look of that era, embrace bright bubblegum pink blush. Sweep a soft matte formula high onto your cheekbones, blending upwards towards your temples for bold definition – remember, more is more! If a matte finish is too intense, opt for a dewy liquid blush in a bright pink for a customizable pop of color with a modern feel.
3. Brush up your brows:
To nail 80s makeup, fluffy, natural brows are non-negotiable – forget thin arches! Achieve this full, brushed-up look with a long-lasting brow product. Simply use an angled spoolie to brush your brows upward, creating all-day lift and hold for that iconic, statement-making finish.
4. Apply colorful eyeshadow:
Next, dive into the classic ‘80s eye makeup! The key is a single, impactful hue swept boldly across the lid, extending right up to the brow bone. Think vibrant electric blue or a daring purple for that iconic, unapologetic look. Remember, in the ‘80s, when it came to color, “more is more” was the ultimate rule.
5. Add eyeliner and mascara:
To elevate your ‘80s eye makeup, embrace vibrant eyeliner. Choose an electric blue or daring purple to define your lash lines or craft a bold retro wing. Finish the look with a colored mascara in a striking shade like cobalt or deep violet for that quintessential ‘80s pop, or opt for classic black for a touch more subtlety.
6. Paint your lips with a bright shade of lipstick:
In the 80s, balance was out the window! To complete a bold eye and vibrant blush, you’d reach for even more color on the lips—think vivid pinks or audacious reds. While a bright lip was classic ‘80s, remember you can always tailor your makeup to your own style, even opting for a softer lip if you prefer.
7. Spritz on setting spray:
Lock in your bold 80’s makeup look to ensure it lasts as long as your throwback playlist. After perfecting your face, eyes, and lips, give it a final spritz with a long-lasting setting spray. Apply in “X” and “T” motions for complete coverage, let it dry, and you’re ready to rock!
Iconic 80’s Makeup Looks:
Here are 5 Major ‘80s Makeup Trends We Still Love Today.
1. Pretty in Pink Lips:
Want to dip your toes into 80’s makeup without going full neon? Take a cue from ‘80s icon Christie Brinkley’s legendary bold pink lip. While she paired hers with a smoky eye, you can fully embrace the decade by rocking it with electric blue eyeshadow—a combo beauty experts still love today.
2. Pink and Purple Only:
Debbie Harry truly founded the “blush on your eyes” trend, decades before its TikTok resurgence. She masterfully used bold, colorful shadows to make a statement. To channel her iconic look, simply sweep a vibrant shade like purple across your entire lid and finish with a coat of mascara for instant, striking impact.
3. The Bold and the Beautiful Brows:
The ‘80s brought us bold eyes and brows, a trend ignited by icons like Brooke Shields and Cindy Crawford that continues to inspire. If over-plucking has left your brows sparse, don’t worry! An eyebrow pencil, brow gel, and a good brush are all you need to channel that iconic, full-browed look.
4. Electric Blue Eyeliner:
Blue eyeliner was an undeniable 80’s makeup staple, and for good reason, it flatters everyone! This electric shade effortlessly improves colored eyes and makes brown eyes pop. Take inspiration from Princess Diana and line your waterlines for an instant, vibrant burst of color.
5. Colored Mascara:
In the 80s makeup dictionary, “too much color” simply wasn’t a concept, especially when it came to mascara! Icons like Cyndi Lauper fearlessly paired electric hues, proving that an orange smoky eye with purple mascara and a glossy red lip was not just bold, but captivating.
Conclusion:
The 80’s Makeup era represented a riot of color and disobedience of subtlety, a time when the proverb “more is more” carried the day. The strongly contoured cheeks and exaggerated eyeshadows that reached up to the brow, to the unapologetically bold lips and statement brows, each item radiated personality, confidence, and individuality.
This was not just a period of cosmetics, but rather a cultural phenomenon that encouraged self-expression and completely changed the definition of beauty. Feel inspired by the fearless spirit of the loving 80s, and see how its most iconic looks still inspire us to think and be bold today.
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FAQ:
1. What was typical 80s makeup?
During the first half of the decade, it tended to be heavy with a lot of dark colors. Smoky eye shadow, thick eyeliner, blush, dark lipsticks.
2. Why was 80s makeup so bold?
Because people were avoiding sun exposure, their complexions started looking pasty and unhealthy, so heavy makeup and contouring put some color back into the face, and since the 80s celebrated excess, the amount of makeup used was over the top.
3. Is winged eyeliner 80s?
Winged eyeliner, a technique that remains popular today, soared to new heights in the ‘80s, with exaggerated wings extending far beyond the outer corners of the eyes.
