60's Makeup Trends
As a response to the buttoned-down '50s, the '60s brought a truly diverse aesthetic: from the London-esque mod fashion scene of the early '10s to the groovy flowerchild look of the late '10s, there were more ways to express oneself. This was also true of makeup trends. It was a time when bigger, bolder looks were in vogue: bright eyeshadows, graphic eyeliner, big lashes, and soft, dramatic brows. This is especially true because some of the most iconic looks of the era have a less dramatic, more everyday iteration. If you love the aesthetics of this era, here are some 60s makeup trends you'll want to try.
Joni Mitchell, a pioneer of no-makeup, avoided the “big” trends seen in this decade (graphic eyeliner, big lashes, etc.). Her minimalist aesthetic, with just a hint of color on the lips and mascara to define the complexion, is one of the timeless classic looks.
Strong eyeliner above and below the eyelids may not be for everyone, as it makes the eyelids look smaller. However, as seen on Audrey Hepburn, the key is to use thick, voluminous lashes on top and minimize color on the rest of the face.
Women are not the only makeup trendsetters. Mick Jagger's look was loud and unabashed, but frankly, he nailed it here with a lot of carefully lined lips, light highlighting, and black eyeliner. This look is graphic, maximalist makeup to perfection.
White eyeshadow is definitely a challenge: white eyeshadow is so light and reflective that it can look blinding. So it is important to add a dark lining in the crease like this, plus black eyeliner and false eyelashes for contrast. (9]
Here, the mini-mini wings are too sweet and almost twee (a perfect match for the floral pattern in this picture). However, the spiky asymmetrical eyelashes help to make the look a little “tougher,” as does the deep color of the lips. The rest of the face, including the eyebrows, is kept natural so as not to be over-the-top.
Diahann Carroll gives us a very imitable look here, in part due to the striking color of her eyeliner. Her eyebrows are brown and her lips and cheeks are a complementary pink. And a strong black cat eye at the top is the focal point.
Top model Lauren Hutton shows that thick eyebrows are not a modern invention (this photo was taken around 1967). Beauty is in the messiness. They are not perfectly finished, and here and there you can see a few lays of hair, but they look extremely natural.
Helen Mirren (both now and in her youth) is a timeless fashion icon. She has a smoky eye at the top of her eyelid, but it is only visible at the corner of her eye and is very subtle. This is a look for those with hooded eyelids, where the eyeshadow disappears when the eyes are opened.
Barbra Streisand wore deep, dramatic makeup that suited her personality. To be honest, it looked quite modern (e.g., “Hibike! wouldn't fit in with a show like “Euphonium” with its heavy makeup) and was apparently inspired by the look of mythical women.
Whatever color is “in” at the time, deep berry colors feel luscious - even if they don't match the coat as in this photo (a nice bonus). A more modern iteration of this look would be to blot the lip a bit more instead of lining it.
Jean Shrimpton, who was one of the most iconic models of the 60s, adds just a bit of color to the eyes here. This is a good way to utilize blue on the eyelids. Overdo it and you end up looking like Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra,” but if you brush the color on gently, it can be vibrant without being over-the-top.
Ann-Margret had very bright, sassy blonde hair, so gently arched and contrasting colored eyebrows helped bring focus to her face. The “blonde hair and brown eyebrows” look is nothing new, but the eyes and face match the maximalism of the hair.
This is a bit of a throwback to the 50s (this photo was taken around 1960, so there are traces of that). Technically, this is a plum color on the lips, with a gold face powder to offset the deeper color and brighten the face. Powders can sometimes look dry, but the right shade can make you glow.
The 60s was a decade that leaned toward graphic makeup, with colorful lips and bold eyes, but not necessarily a decade that focused on eyebrow makeup. Here's an example: lots of eye makeup and pretty pink lips here, but the eyebrows are mostly natural. Nice contrast.
In the late 60s we see the seeds of the next decade: big lashes (both top and bottom), glossy lips, tanned skin, and more blush. The lashes don't have to be so big to mimic this aesthetic, but otherwise the look is actually quite cohesive.
The 60s are famous for matte nude lips, but there was also a real variety of lip colors. Peachy pink (this one by Estee Lauder) helps draw the eye to the lips rather than focusing on the length of the lashes.
Jean Shrimpton helpfully explains why blush with a touch of red (as reflected in her red coat) actually looks great. In the last decade, she did not necessarily overemphasize her cheeks, opting instead for a natural blush, which worked very well.
The arch of the brow in the 60s was a fine balance of gentle yet dramatic, defined yet subdued. Barbara McNair shows us how it's done in this photo: the arch is strong, almost S-shaped, but not sharp or overfilled.
The defined, closed lip was certainly popular during this decade. A darker liner and thinner, glossy inner lips would work just as well today, with just a little more blending and a slightly higher upper lip line.
Natalie Wood was a big proponent of “doe-eyed” makeup because of her big, soulful eyes. She would apply big, spiky mascara (or false eyelashes in this case) to her upper and lower lids to make her eyes look even bigger and more innocent. By keeping the rest of the face relatively neutral, she enhances the impact of her eyes.
The graphic eyeshadow trend was alive and well in the 60s. Marcia Hunt, appearing with a gorgeous afro, continues to maximize her eye makeup with white eyeshadow and a dark shadow that bounces up toward her brow bone. Plus, big lashes befitting the '60s.
The “frosted strip” is one of those trends that can look a little cartoonish if not subtle. I think Ali McGraw (posing for Glamour magazine in 1967) pulls off this look by keeping her lips pink, or visible. If you want to try this look today, it pays to add more color.
Marisa Berenson's big lashes, and these lashes. This is, unsurprisingly, for a photo shoot (“Vogue,” 1966) and probably not something you would reach for as an everyday look. But the premise remains the same: big, big lashes are always a gorgeous focal point.
The big black smokey eyes are '60s-inspired, but with lots of blurring to give the look a soft, three-dimensional look. This would be perfect for a “night out” look without raising the brow bone too high or using short false lashes.
Sleek, sharp eyeliner hasn't always been in vogue over the past decade, but the Supremes (especially Diana Ross on the right) were playing with geometric shapes long before they became mainstream. Worth noting: sharp liners are a perfect match for blunt bobs, which is part of their charm.
If artistic, painterly eyeliner feels too “out there” for you, let Twiggy convince you otherwise. The dark eyeliner of the eyelashes is reflected in the lined upper crease, but the thick lashes above and below make it all feel cohesive.
Sophia Loren, one of the biggest icons of the 60s, had a “bedhead” look that helped define her aesthetic. Her winged eyeliner was more “siren” than “doe” (meaning sharper and longer than the other looks on this list). Combined with the rich lip color, it created a very sultry vibe.
Laura Falana urges us to just go for it when it comes to eye makeup. The shape is obviously intense (and takes some practice and makeup removal to master), but the softness of her other makeup keeps it from becoming too costume-y.
This early 60s magazine photo (Glamour, 1961) is a throwback to the classic 50s red lip. There is a bluish tinge to this red, almost burgundy. A matching blush with a touch of red helps to complete the look.
In direct contrast to the “extremely graphic eyeliner,” this is a “deep, smoky, blotchy eyeshadow.” It is perhaps not surprising that this image is from the late 60s (“Mademoiselle,” 1969), when makeup artists were toying with the conventions of the decade.
Part of Brigitte Bardot's appeal was her casualness. This deeply graphic yet casual style remains a classic to this day.
No one epitomizes the Sixties more than Jane Birkin. Her French vibe extended to her makeup, which was a classic, casual aesthetic. Here, her lips are unlined, her cheeks have a warm blush, and her eyes are graphic (white eye shadow, lines on the eyelids and crease) without being excessive.
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