80s Makeup: History and Trends

The beauty standard of the 1980s brought about a major shift in how women dressed and wore makeup. The use of baggy clothes, dark colors, updo hairstyles, and a rebellious attitude were part of a cultural revolution embodied by artists like Madonna.

The makeupthat triumphedstyle that reflected an unforgettable era marked by a whole generation of lovers of spandex, aerobics, hip-hop, and voluminous hairstyles. Want to recreate the perfect 80s look?

History of 80s Makeup

The generational transition from the 70s to the 80s had a major impact on fashion. Suddenly, the influence of artists like Madonna and Cher led to a more liberal and masculine style of dress and makeup. Applying dark eyeshadow, lining the eyes both inside and out, and achieving an aggressive look with bold features became a symbol of rebellion and daring at the time.

80s Makeup Trends for Women

80s makeup trends were extravagant and eye-catching, so when talking about 80s fashion, it's impossible not to think of celebrities like Madonna, Michael Jackson, or Davie Bowie. Below, we give you a few ideas and trends that were a hit so you can recreate 80s looks down to the last detail.

Face and Skin

Using a foundationone or two shades lighterthan your natural skin tone is one of the first steps to achieving the perfect 80s look. You can use a concealer to even out your skin tone in areas with imperfections on your face and finish with a thin layer of translucent powder.

Eyes

Eyes were the focus of makeup in the 80s, so all your effort should be concentrated on this area. Apply mascara to both your upper and lower lashes to open up your eyes, or add false eyelashes to give your face a feline and wild look.

On the other hand, use black eyeliner and gray eyeshadow. Brightly colored eyeshadow can also be a good option.

Eyebrows

The fuller, thicker, and messier, the better.

Lips

Lips weren't the focus of 80s makeup. To recreate the style of the era, use matte lipsticks in brown and dark tones and line the cupid's bow to give it a more pointed shape.

Cheekbones

Highlighting your cheekbones with a dark pink blush will add a dramatic touch to your makeup. The trick is to use it like bronzer and contour your face to define its angles. If you want to add even more extravagance, add a touch of shimmer to the tops of your cheekbones, either with a shimmery eyeshadow or a highlighter.

Hairstyles of the 80s

The 80s style was unique, rebellious, and eye-catching and this was reflected not only in clothing and makeup, but also in hair.

Hairstyles of the 80s are defined as wildand therefore, to recreate a quick look with few products and accessories, you just need imagination and not to feel guilty about using up the whole can of hairspray.

You can recreate a bouffant brushed-up look by applying hairspray to some strands of your hair to create volume at the top of your head. Another idea is to add colored extensions or strands of curly hair to create a frizzy effect and give it that wild touch so characteristic of the era. Likewise, choppy bangs, pompadours, and perms were other trends that defined the fashion of this decade.

Manicure

Manicure is the final element to complete your eighties look. In this case, you can be as creative as you want and choose a cheerful color like green, yellow, or fuchsia, or opt for dark tones like black, brown, or purple. It will all depend on the image you want to project and how much attention you want to attract.