80s Womens Makeup: Trends Styles & Looks

80s Women's Makeup: Trends, Styles, and Looks

The 1980s was a decade of bold fashion and iconic hairstyles, and makeup was no exception. From the power of the power suit to the rise of the supermodel, the 80s makeup trends reflected a desire for both sophistication and a touch of rebellion. This article will delve into the most influential styles, trends, and looks that defined the decade, taking you on a nostalgic trip back to the era of big hair and even bigger makeup.

The Power of the Power Suit: Bold and Bright

The 1980s saw women entering the workforce in greater numbers, demanding equal opportunities and challenging traditional gender roles. This empowerment was reflected in their makeup choices, opting for bold and bright colors that exuded confidence and ambition.

Think Strong Eyeliner: Black liquid liner was a staple, creating dramatic winged shapes and thick lines that emphasized the eyes. A cat-eye flick became a symbol of femininity and power, making an instant statement.
Go for the Glow: The "power glow" was achieved with bronzer and blush, adding a healthy flush to the cheeks and emphasizing contours. Highlighting the brow bone and cheekbones further emphasized the sculpted look.
Lipstick that Speaks Volumes: Bold red lipstick became a classic symbol of the era, representing strong, independent women. Other vibrant shades like fuchsia, crimson, and even orange were also popular choices.

The Glam of the Glamour Model: Exaggerated and Dramatic

The rise of supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista brought a new wave of glamour to the fashion world, influencing makeup trends.

Smoky Eye for the Win: The 80s smoky eye was all about drama and depth. Black eyeshadow was blended heavily on the lids and around the crease, often extending beyond the outer corners to create a sultry, elongated look.
False Lashes for Added Drama: Extra long, thick false eyelashes were essential for adding volume and definition to the eyes. Layers of mascara were also employed, creating a dramatic, doll-like effect.
Contouring Techniques: This decade saw the emergence of contouring techniques to create the illusion of higher cheekbones and more defined features. Bronzers and darker shades were used to sculpt the face, while lighter colors were used for highlighting.

The Neon Glow of the Nightlife: Bold Color and Glitter

The 80s party scene was a whirlwind of neon lights, synth music, and bold fashion choices. Makeup embraced the vibrant energy, with colors and textures that mirrored the electric atmosphere.

Neon Eyeshadows: From electric blue and shocking pink to lime green and vibrant purple, neon eyeshadows were a must-have. Often, these colors were applied boldly across the entire lid or blended into the crease for a dramatic, multi-colored effect.
Glitter and Shimmer: Glitter was a key element in 80s makeup, adding a touch of magic and sparkle to everything from eyeshadows and lipsticks to nail polish and even blush.
Bold Lips: Besides red, bold, bright lipsticks were popular, with shades like magenta, coral, and even black becoming trendsetters.

Looking Beyond the Classics: Other 80s Makeup Trends

While the bold, colorful makeup of the 80s is iconic, other trends were also making their mark:

The Power of the Brow: The 80s saw a shift away from thin, plucked brows to a fuller, more natural look. Brow powder and pencils were used to define and enhance the brow shape. The "unibrow" trend also made a brief appearance, although not for the faint of heart.
The Rise of the Blush Brush: Blush was a key element in 80s makeup, adding a healthy flush to the cheeks and creating a youthful, glowing look. Soft pinks and peaches were popular choices, while more daring looks embraced bright, bold tones.
The Importance of Foundation: Foundation was crucial for creating a smooth, flawless base. Many 80s makeup looks involved layering foundation, powder, and blush to create a flawless canvas for the rest of the makeup.
The Power of the Palette: The 80s saw the rise of multi-colored eyeshadow palettes, making it easier to create a variety of looks with a single compact. These palettes often included a mix of light, medium, and dark shades, allowing for both subtle and dramatic effects.

The Makeup Essentials of the 80s

Here's a list of products that were essential for achieving those iconic 80s looks:

Liquid Eyeliner: Black liquid liner was a staple for creating dramatic winged shapes and thick lines.
Mascara: Layers of black mascara were used to create dramatic lashes, often paired with false eyelashes.
Eyeshadow: A wide range of eyeshadow colors were used, including bold, bright shades like neon pink, electric blue, and vibrant purple.
Bronzer: Used to sculpt the face and create a healthy glow.
Blush: Added color to the cheeks, giving a youthful, healthy flush.
Lipstick: Bold red lipstick was a classic, with other vibrant shades like fuchsia, crimson, and orange also popular.
Glitter: Added sparkle and shine to eyeshadows, lipsticks, nail polish, and more.
Foundation: Used to create a smooth, flawless base for makeup.
Powder: Set makeup and created a matte finish.

FAQ

1. What were the most popular makeup brands in the 1980s?

Some of the most popular makeup brands in the 1980s included Revlon, Maybelline, CoverGirl, and Max Factor.

2. What were the biggest makeup trends for the 1980s?

The biggest makeup trends of the 1980s included bold and bright colors, dramatic smoky eyes, false eyelashes, contouring, glitter, and neon eyeshadows.

3. Did 80s makeup trends have any cultural significance?

80s makeup trends reflected the cultural shifts of the era, from women's empowerment to the rise of the glamour model. They also reflected the decade's fascination with bold colors, dramatic styles, and a sense of rebellion.

4. What are some ways to get the 80s makeup look today?

To achieve the 80s makeup look today, you can use bold colors, liquid eyeliner, false eyelashes, and bronzer. However, consider adapting the look to modern sensibilities, focusing on a more polished and less over-the-top approach.

5. How did 80s makeup trends differ from earlier decades?

80s makeup was bolder and more dramatic than makeup from earlier decades. It emphasized color, contrast, and a sense of individuality, reflecting the era's rejection of traditional beauty standards and embrace of a more confident, expressive approach to style.

Conclusion

The 1980s makeup trends were bold, expressive, and unapologetically glamorous. From the power of the power suit to the glam of the supermodel, the decade embraced a wide range of styles that celebrated individuality and confidence. While some styles might seem over-the-top by today's standards, the era's penchant for bold colors, dramatic eye looks, and shimmering textures continues to be influential, inspiring modern makeup trends and reminding us of the enduring power of self-expression through makeup.

Ready to experiment with a little 80s glam? Start exploring today!