80s Makeup Looks Natural: Easy Everyday Styles

The 1980s were a time of vibrant fashion, bold music, and equally daring makeup trends. While some 80s looks may seem overly intense for modern tastes, there are plenty of natural-looking styles that can be adapted for today's world. This article explores how to achieve a more toned-down version of 80s makeup, focusing on everyday looks that emphasize natural beauty and subtle pops of color.

The Evolution of 80s Makeup

The 80s makeup scene saw a dramatic shift from the more demure styles of the 70s. With the rise of music icons like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Whitney Houston, bold colors, heavy eyeliner, and dramatic shadows became synonymous with the decade. But within this vibrant tapestry, a softer, more natural side emerged. This natural 80s style focused on enhancing features with delicate flourishes of color, soft contours, and a healthy glow.

The Essentials: Building the Base

Before delving into specific looks, let's establish the foundation for any 80s-inspired makeup. These key products help achieve a polished, natural canvas:

1. Moisturizer: Hydration is key for a smooth, even complexion. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type and apply it generously before starting your makeup routine.

2. Primer: Primer creates a smooth base for foundation, helping it blend seamlessly and last longer. Look for primers that blur imperfections and minimize pores.

3. Foundation: Opt for a light-to-medium coverage foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. For a natural finish, blend using a beauty blender or a dense brush for even application.

4. Concealer: Use concealer to cover blemishes and dark circles. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone or is slightly lighter for a brightening effect.

5. Powder: Set your look with a translucent powder for a matte finish and to control shine. Apply it lightly with a large fluffy brush, focusing on your T-zone.

1. The Softly Contoured Look

This look emulates the iconic 80s contouring techniques but with a more modern, natural approach.

Key Features:

Subtle Contouring: Use a matte bronzer slightly darker than your skin tone to sculpt cheekbones, jawline, and temples. Apply with a fluffy brush in soft, sweeping motions, blending well.
Blushed Cheeks: Choose a cream blush in a natural peach or pink shade. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples for a soft, natural flush.
Neutral Eyes: Stick to neutral eyeshadows in shades of brown, beige, or ivory. Apply a light shade to the lid, a darker shade in the crease for definition, and a highlight shade to the brow bone.

Example:

Foundation: Light to medium coverage foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly.
Bronzer: Apply a matte bronzer to contour cheekbones and temples.
Blush: Apply a cream blush in a natural peach or pink shade to the apples of your cheeks.
Eyeshadow: Use a light brown shade on the lid, a darker brown in the crease, and a highlight shade on the brow bone.
Mascara: Apply one coat of black or brown mascara for natural definition.

2. The Shimmering Eye Look

This look captures the 80s fascination with shimmer and shine, but with a more modern, wearable approach.

Key Features:

Shimmery Eyelids: Choose a sheer eyeshadow with a subtle shimmer or a cream eyeshadow with a pearlescent finish. Apply it to the eyelid for a soft, luminous effect.
Subtle Liner: Use a brown or black liquid or kohl eyeliner to define the lash line. For a softer look, smudge the liner with a brush.
Defined Brows: Brush your brows with a clear brow gel or a tinted brow pencil for a neat, defined finish.

Example:

Foundation: Light to medium coverage foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly.
Eyeshadow: Apply a shimmery light pink or champagne shade to the eyelid.
Eyeliner: Use a brown or black liquid or kohl eyeliner to define the lash line.
Mascara: Apply one coat of black or brown mascara for natural definition.

3. The Bold Lip Look

This look embraces the 80s love for bold lips, but with a more modern, approachable approach.

Key Features:

Intense Color: Choose a lipstick in a bold, creamy shade like red, berry, or burgundy. Apply it with a lip brush for precise application and to prevent feathering.
Neutral Eyes: Keep the eye makeup minimal with neutral eyeshadows and a light coat of mascara.
Defined Brows: Brush your brows with a clear brow gel or a tinted brow pencil for a neat, defined finish.

Example:

Foundation: Light to medium coverage foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly.
Lipstick: Apply a bold, creamy lipstick in a shade like red, berry, or burgundy.
Eyeshadow: Use a light brown shade on the lid and a darker brown in the crease.
Mascara: Apply one coat of black or brown mascara for natural definition.

4. The Romantic Fuchsia Look

Embrace the 80s fascination with fuchsia, but with a softer touch.

Key Features:

Fuchsia Blush: Apply a blush in a vibrant fuchsia shade to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples.
Neutral Eyes: Choose a neutral eyeshadow palette to create a soft, diffused look.
Glossy Lips: Finish with a clear or lightly tinted lip gloss for a natural, glossy finish.

Example:

Foundation: Light to medium coverage foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly.
Blush: Apply a fuchsia blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples.
Eyeshadow: Use a light brown shade on the lid, a darker brown in the crease, and a highlight shade on the brow bone.
Lip gloss: Apply a clear or lightly tinted lip gloss.

5. The Graphic Liner Look

The 80s saw a rise in graphic eyeliner styles, and this look offers a modern take on the trend.

Key Features:

Winged Liner: Use a black liquid eyeliner to create a thin, winged liner. Smudge the edges slightly for a softer, more wearable look.
Minimal Eyeshadow: Just a touch of neutral eyeshadow on the lid will suffice.
Neutral Lips: Choose a nude or light pink lipstick to balance the intensity of the liner.

Example:

Foundation: Light to medium coverage foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly.
Eyeliner: Use a black liquid eyeliner to create a thin, winged liner.
Eyeshadow: Apply a light brown shade on the lid.
Lipstick: Apply nude or light pink lipstick.

Tips for Creating Natural 80s Makeup Looks

Here are some additional tips for achieving the perfect balance between 80s inspiration and modern elegance:

Embrace Subtlety: Focus on enhancing your features with subtle colors and soft contours rather than overpowering them.
Blend, Blend, Blend: The key to a natural look is seamless blending. Use brushes and sponges to blend everything out for a smooth, even finish.
Consider Your Skin Tone: Choose colors that complement your skin tone, and avoid overly contrasting shades.
Practice Makes Perfect: Don't be afraid to experiment. Practice different looks and techniques until you find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I wear 80s makeup if I have sensitive skin?

Absolutely! Choose hypoallergenic products and test them on a small patch of skin before applying to your entire face. Opt for natural and organic makeup options for sensitive skin.

2. How can I make 80s makeup look modern?

By focusing on natural shades and subtle application techniques, you can modernize the look. Think clean lines, soft contours, and a focus on natural beauty.

3. What are some 80s makeup trends that are still popular today?

The bold lip, the winged liner, and the focus on contouring are all trends that have stood the test of time and remain popular today.

Conclusion

The 80s makeup era offered a bold and colorful playground for expressing creativity. While some trends may seem outdated, many can be adapted into modern, natural looks. By embracing subtle shades, precise application, and a focus on enhancing natural features, you can channel the spirit of the 80s with a modern twist. Experiment, have fun, and discover your own unique take on 80s makeup!

Call to Action: Want to explore more 80s makeup trends? Check out our article on [link to related article] for a deep dive into the iconic looks of the decade.

Video 80s Makeup