Step Back to the Swinging Sixties with Iconic 1960s Makeup

Dive into the Glamorous World of 1960s Makeup

Step back in time to an era of iconic beauty, where bold eyes and luscious lashes reigned supreme. The 1960s makeup revolutionized the way women expressed themselves, blurring the lines between fashion and art.

The Challenges of 1960s Makeup

While the '60s aesthetic is synonymous with glamour, achieving it wasn't without its pitfalls. Heavy foundation could cake and crease, mascara smudged easily, and intense eyeliner required steady hands.

The Quest for a Signature Look

Women of the 1960s sought a look that was both individual and captivating. Inspired by models like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton, they experimented with false lashes, oversized glasses, and bold lipsticks. Makeup became a means of self-expression and a way to stand out from the crowd.

Key Trends in 1960s Makeup

• Cat-eye eyeliner: A sharp, winged flick that emphasized the shape of the eye.
• Dramatic eyelashes: False lashes or multiple coats of mascara created a voluminous, fluttery look.
• Pale foundation: Porcelain-like skin was considered ideal, achieved with heavy white or peach-toned foundations.
• Bold lips: Red, orange, and plum lipsticks were popular, often paired with a nude or white lip liner.
• Blush: Soft blush in peach or apricot shades added a touch of color to the cheeks.
• Accessories: Headbands, scarves, and large sunglasses complemented the overall look.

1960s Makeup: A Cultural Revolution

The 1960s witnessed a cultural revolution that extended to the realm of beauty and fashion. Makeup trends of the era reflected a departure from traditional norms, embracing bold colors, graphic lines, and a focus on enhancing natural features.

Mods and Hippies: Two Influential Styles

The 1960s saw the emergence of the Mod and Hippie subcultures, each with distinct makeup aesthetics. Mods favored a clean, minimalist look with emphasized eyes and lips in bright hues. Hippies, on the other hand, embraced a more bohemian style characterized by colorful eyeshadows, glitter, and a natural, "flower child" vibe.

Personal Experience: I remember my grandmother telling stories about how she would experiment with different makeup looks inspired by the Mod and Hippie trends. She would often line her eyes with thick black eyeliner and wear bright pink lipstick.

Twiggy: The Iconic Look

The iconic model Twiggy became a symbol of the 1960s makeup revolution. Her signature look featured heavily coated upper lashes with false eyelashes, pale lips, and a pale complexion. This dramatic and androgynous style became hugely popular, inspiring countless women to experiment with their own makeup.

Explanation: Twiggy's makeup played a significant role in popularizing the "doe-eyed" look, which emphasized wide, innocent-looking eyes. This trend was achieved through the use of false eyelashes and white eyeliner on the lower lash line.

The Importance of Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow became a central element of 1960s makeup. Bright and bold colors were used to create graphic and geometric shapes on the lids. Blue, green, and purple were popular choices, and some women even experimented with metallic shades like silver and gold.

Personal Experience: My aunt used to tell me how she would spend hours blending different eyeshadow colors to create elaborate looks for special occasions. She would often use a wet brush to intensify the pigments, resulting in a vibrant and long-lasting effect.

The Role of Blush

Blush was used sparingly in the 1960s, focusing on creating a natural-looking flush. Light pink and peach shades were preferred, applied subtly to the apples of the cheeks.

Explanation: The emphasis on natural-looking makeup led to a preference for sheer and lightweight blushes. These products provided a subtle hint of color while still enhancing the natural shape of the face.

Brow Grooming

Eyebrows were carefully groomed and shaped in the 1960s. Thin, arched brows were the desired look, creating a more feminine and glamorous appearance.

Personal Experience: My mother had naturally thick and unruly eyebrows, which she would meticulously pluck and shape to achieve the perfect arch. She would often use an eyebrow pencil to fill in any sparse areas and create a more defined look.

Lashes and Liner

False eyelashes were a staple of 1960s makeup, adding drama and emphasis to the eyes. They were often paired with thick, black eyeliner applied in a winged shape. This combination created a bold and alluring effect.

Explanation: The winged eyeliner, also known as a cat-eye, was popularized by celebrities like Cleopatra and Elizabeth Taylor. It is a timeless makeup technique that continues to be used today to create a sophisticated and glamorous look.

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