Rockin’ Retro Makeup
10.24.13
Beauty trends come and go – and come again. Dark, winged liner. Bold lips. Color, color, color – and less color. We can identify certain makeup looks with particular icons and time periods. And as we can tell from the runways to our real lives, these looks from the past often come back around and have new life. Cotton Candy beauty editor Claudia Mejerle shows us how to rock retro makeup.
1950s
Marilyn Monroe. Audrey Hepburn. Sophia Loren. How can you think of the 50s and not think of these women? When you think of their makeup, winged liner, lengthy lashes and full, pouty lips immediately come to mind. This makeup look has definitely made a comeback. You can be very literal with the trend from the 50s with flawless skin, rosy cheeks, black eye liner on top with a flick at the outer corners and voluptuous, red lips. But you can also put a more modern spin on the look with winged liner and a pale lip, or very natural makeup with a bright, bold lip.
1960s
You can’t think of makeup of the 60s and not think of Twiggy and her lush black lashes. Eyes were a huge focus during this decade. Full lashes on top. Full lashes on the bottom. Dark rimmed eyes also made the lashes seem even fuller. This flirty look can still be pulled off today, pairing the done up eyes with peachy blush and soft, nude lips.
1970s
The makeup of the 70s accompanied the wide range of styles popular during the decade of disco, hippies and punk. Bright and bold colors were just as common as soft, natural looks. A favorite makeup trend of the time period was on the toned down end of the spectrum. Sun-kissed skin, light, shimmery eye shadow, natural cheeks and pale lips make give us the look that we envision on icons such Farrah Fawcett.
1980s
The 80s were all about color and heavy makeup application. Faces seemed almost painted with the over the top eye makeup, contoured cheekbones and colorful lips. It would be a challenge to pull off the stereotypical 80s makeup and not be laughed at, so to put a modern spin on the look, choose an element of the makeup of the time and focus on that. Wear of pop of color on your lid. Or wear hot pink lips, leaving the rest of your makeup natural. Or focus on your cheeks with either a splash of bright pink or use a bronzer to contour. Just avoid doing it all, unless you’re going to a costume party.
1990s
The 90s took a break from the overdone and over the top looks of the 80s, giving bright colors a rest. Grunge and gothic looks hit the scene, but natural makeup was a bit more mainstream. Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts helped make this fresh-faced trend popular. Think no-makeup makeup when recreating this look, using light-handed application of soft, neutral colors like brown, taupe and rose.
Photo Credit: Kathryn McCrary Photography
