Makeup and beauty trends are in a constant state of flux; they come and go. While some vanish for good, a select few make comebacks just as they are or with slight variations. If you've recently been obsessed with pastel eye looks, long lashes adorned with heavy mascara, and a matte finish makeup, you have the '60s to thank for them. Rejoice, because the '60s are back! Get ready to revamp your vanity because the makeup trends from one of the most iconic eras are slowly and steadily making their return. This article takes you on a journey through the swinging sixties makeup trends.
20 Timeless '60s Makeup Looks You'll Love
The '60s makeup looks have made a triumphant return, and they're here to stay. The dramatic flair of '60s makeup has seamlessly integrated into today's bold eye looks, while the understated elegance of pale lips has become a staple in the minimalist makeup trend. Continue scrolling to discover 20 of the most captivating '60s glamor looks and get ready to be inspired. Let the visual feast begin!
Twiggy Iconic Look
Twiggy's iconic makeup look is characterized by incredibly dramatic lashes and the iconic black crease line. To define and widen her eyes, she expertly uses a white eye pencil on her lower eyelid, creating an enchanting doe-eyed effect. To complement this bold eye makeup, she chooses a nude-ish peach lip color that enhances the overall allure of her gaze. We admire her use of thick lashes, generously coated with two layElizabeth Taylor's Iconic Makeup Look.
Elizabeth Taylor's Iconic Makeup Look
Though it's a wax model recreating a still from the 1963 movie Cleopatra, in which she portrays the titular character, this remains one of the quintessential makeup looks of the 1960s. The cerulean blue eyeshadow and mesmerizing eyes accentuated with bold extended black eyeliner encapsulate the essence of '60s eye makeup, albeit with deeper shades. The lips, sporting a peachy and glossy finish, while meant to be subtle, hold their own ground without overshadowing the magnificence of the Egyptian-inspired eye makeup look.
Jane Birkin's Iconic Makeup Look
Birkin epitomized the minimalistic style of the era, and we absolutely adore every aspect of her makeup looks! Her carefree approach to makeup adds to her charming allure. Her '60s makeup aesthetic shines through with the generous application of mascara to enhance her lush lashes. Additionally, the soft pink lip color and rosy cheeks give her a fresh and natural appearance that we find incredibly appealing!
Diana Ross: Iconic Makeup Look
Diana Ross is an icon of the '60s for many reasons, and we are captivated by her makeup look as much as her singing. Her eyes epitomize the classic '60s bold and fluttering makeup style, featuring accentuated upper and lower lashes. To complete the look, she opts for understated lips and enhances her appearance with the addition of pearl jewelry.
Cher's Iconic Makeup Look
Cher is celebrated not only as the "Goddess of Pop" and a fierce feminist icon but also as a stunning beauty of the '60s. She effortlessly carries off this '60s makeup look with a dramatic cut crease and long, fluttering lashes. The subtle blush and nude lips perfectly complement this look, which is further enhanced by the addition of oversized gold earrings.
Jane Fonda's Iconic Makeup Look
Jane Fonda, one of the most celebrated actresses of 1960s Hollywood, captured the hearts of many with her captivating appearance. She stood out as one of the few actresses who dared to depart from the conventional '60s makeup styles. Her choice of a thin black upper lash line with minimal mascara, coupled with bold glossy lips, presents a fresh and appealing look that we absolutely adore!
Brigitte Bardot's Iconic Makeup Look
Brigitte Bardot, often referred to as B.B., is renowned for her bold film roles and some of the stunning makeup looks of the '60s. In this particular look, she fully embraces intense black eye makeup that extends from her lower lash line to the crease, beautifully framing her eyes. With nude lips and floral head accessories, she exudes an angelic aura that's truly captivating!
Donyale Luna's Iconic Makeup Look
Take a closer look, and you'll discover nearly all the hallmark elements of the typical 1960s makeup trends in this Donyale Luna makeup look. Luna, one of the pioneering black models, is a style icon we truly admire. In this look, she showcases a Yale blue eyelid adorned with black eyeliner and long black lashes. The sleek hairstyle, matte complexion, and nude lips also epitomize the signature makeup look of the '60s.
Sharon Tate's Iconic Makeup Look
Sharon Tate, one of the beloved cover girls of the '60s, stood as a prominent beauty icon and long influenced the beauty trends of her era, despite her tragic passing. In this look, Sharon adorns herself with the popular gray eyeshadow that was a hallmark of the decade, delicately applied near the lower lash line. She pairs it with a black eyeliner gracefully flicked outwards above the upper lashes, enhanced by generous mascara application. To complete the makeup look, she adds a touch of rosy blush and opts for nude lips, achieving a quintessential '60s appearance.
Sofia Loren's Iconic Makeup Look
In addition to her illustrious and prolific acting career as an extraordinarily talented and celebrated actress, Sofia Loren was a true glamor icon in her era. With an overall muted makeup look that featured big, bold black eyes, Sofia epitomizes the '60s makeup trend. Her stunning cat-eye appearance, achieved with thick upper lash eyeliner and neutral eyeshadow shades, along with beautifully defined eyebrows, continues to serve as an inspiration even today!
Aretha Franklin's Iconic Makeup Look
This soulful singer has not only captured our hearts with her soothing voice but also with her stunning beauty! Being both a singing sensation and a beauty icon is no small feat, but Aretha Franklin effortlessly excels at both. She rocks a captivating cat-eye look with eyeshadow subtly smudged along the lower and upper lash lines, giving her a sultry and alluring vibe. The nude lip and flawless complexion complement the look perfectly.
Ronnie Spector's Iconic Makeup Look
We lost this singing gem only recently, but she has left us with lasting memories. As a member of the iconic trio, The Ronettes, Ronnie rocked and rolled her way onto the list of major beauty icons of her era. Her charming, flawless complexion paired with her kohl-rimmed eyes, dramatic black cat-eye liner, and voluminous lashes are more than enough to recreate a stunning '60s look.
Estelle Bennett's Makeup Look
Estelle Bennett was a part of the favorite musical girl group of the ‘60s called The Ronettes, and their makeup looks were just as iconic as their tracks. In this image, Estelle is styling her hair while sporting a thick, dark black liner and mascara on her lashes. A subtle blush and the signature nude lip of the '60s complete her makeup look.
Nancy Kwan's Makeup Look
Nancy Kwan, hailing from a Chinese heritage, was among the early Asian actresses to achieve success in Hollywood, and her reasons are evident. This stunning Asian icon challenged the beauty norms of the '60s by adapting her makeup look to complement her small, deep-set eyes. She embraced the era's preference for a pale color palette, featuring soft pink lips and the resurgence of the high-arched eyebrow trend, which is making a comeback in the beauty world.
Nina Simone's Makeup Look
Gosh, take a glance at those pale green glitter eyes! Nina Simone consistently excelled in both her music and makeup. This is a remarkable on-stage makeup look where she showcases thick black eyeliner, cut creases, glittery green eyeshadow, and high-arched eyebrows—a perfect '60s eye makeup look. She complements it with glossy orange lips, a sparkling headband, and chunky earrings, exuding a rockstar chic vibe!
Jean Shrimpton's Makeup Look
Jean Shrimpton, every 60s photographer's muse, graced the face of Yardley of London and adorned the covers of numerous beauty magazines. In this capture, she showcases the quintessential doe-eye makeup look, featuring a bold upper liner, stunning voluminous lashes, and powder blue eyeshadow. Her glossy nude lip and flawless complexion complete her transformation into the ultimate '60s diva, and we can't help but be captivated!
Lola Falana's Makeup Look
Singer, dancer, actress, and (let me add) beauty icon, Lola Falana absolutely embodies the '60s makeup look. In this stunning appearance, she adorns thick black eyeliner on her upper lash line and flaunts ultra-voluminous lashes with black eye pencil on the lower lash line. The standout feature of the look is her thick vintage curls, beautifully paired with a nude glossy lip.
Edie Sedgwick's Makeup Look
The Girl of the Year 1965, Edie Sedgwick, was a fashion icon in her own right. She elevated the '60s dramatic eye look to new heights with this stunning eyeliner style that extends to the upper lash line, leaving some negative space on the lower lash line on both sides. Additionally, her thick lashes, peachy blush, and understated nude lips all come together perfectly to make a standout statement.
Diahann Carroll's Makeup Look
As the first-ever black person to win the Golden Globe, Diahann Carroll has shone both on and off the screen. In this stunning capture, the talented actress showcases one of the most exquisite eye looks of the '60s. It doesn't get much better than the sharp cut crease, elegant gray eyeshadow, voluminous fluttery lashes, finely arched brows, and striking black liner. The nude lip and her high-volume pixie haircut add all the necessary flair to complete this exceptional look.
Audrey Hepburn's Makeup Look
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Although Audrey made her mark in movies well before the '60s, she effortlessly embodied the makeup trends of that era. With her thick, impeccably defined natural eyebrows, bold upper lash line eyeliner, long curly lashes, and pale white eyeshadow, she mastered every element. Her coral lips and subtle blush give her a sweet and rosy appearance, while touches of highlighter enhance her flawless complexion.
Infographic: 5 Iconic Elements of '60s Makeup
The swinging sixties are making a fashionable comeback in makeup trends, and we're thrilled! Who can resist the allure of bold liners and sky-high lashes? Here are some '60s makeup trends you should be familiar with to keep your makeup game up-to-date. Explore the infographic below!
In Conclusion
The 1960s was one of the most pivotal eras in the makeup industry. It was defined by dramatic and bold eye looks, featuring thick eyeliners, sharp cut creases, voluminous lashes, and high-arched brows. This decade was synonymous with a youth-driven culture, and makeup was no exception. It introduced makeup and beauty icons such as Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Diana Ross, Cher, Brigitte Bardot, and Jane Fonda, who pushed the boundaries of what cosmetics could achieve. So, let these iconic makeup looks from the '60s inspire you to try something new today!