Best '80s Makeup Looks From Mega Icons

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Please step into the our time machine and join us for a journey all the way back to one epic decade: the 1980s. People were slapping bracelets on their wrists, bobbing their heads up and down to Queen and Blondie on their Walkman, and trying to defeat the ever-challenging Rubik’s Cube. Along with those ’80s trends, people were also doing a lot with their makeup. After crimping hair into those perfect bends or feathering their bangs, it was time to apply that iconic ’80s makeup.

Who did everyone turn to for inspiration? None other than the singers, movie stars, and models who were busy making a name for themselves in the entertainment industry. These beautiful legends set a precedent for makeup lovers everywhere, and their choices were a major departure from the natural, groovy style of the 1970s. For us, ’80s makeup looks are everything … literally. What we learned is that you can never have too much of any product, especially when it comes to your cheeks (You can never have too much blush, right Madonna?). Though we wouldn’t follow these stars’ makeup tutorials today, we love looking back on these epic ’80s makeup looks from your favorite entertainers of yesteryear.

Getting the Right Makeup

Before we start, do you have the right makeup to pull off these daring and dramatic looks? Check out these guides for help:

1. Madonna

Oh, Madonna, you defined ’80s beauty. The lighter-hued face powder, dark cheeks, deep red lips, overly filled-in brows, and that fake beauty mark … need we say more?

2. Grace Jones

Blue eyeshadow came and went as a trend in the ’80s. But we can now admire it in this oh-so-chic image of singer and actress Grace Jones in 1985.

3. Princess Diana

Diana Spencer was a royal ’80s icon. We’re most impressed by the exaggerated blush to highlight her cheekbones and super shiny gloss.

4. Cyndi Lauper

If there’s one person you can turn to for the most outrageous style (now and then), it’s singer Cyndi Lauper. She did it all: overdone eyeshadow, foundation, blush, and lips. Her makeup is so wild that we almost didn’t notice her crimped yellow hair and animal print fascinator.

5. Molly Ringwald

Were there any ’80s movies that didn’t feature Molly? Her feathered bangs were so in, and so was that deep red lip color.

6. Olivia Newton-John

Drawing eyeliner all around your eyes might not be a trend now, but it was essential in the ’80s. Here, the Grease actress and fitness star was a perfect example of this when she got physical with her eye makeup in 1983.

7. Jane Fonda

You can’t mention the ’80s without talking about Jane Fonda. During this decade, she became a fitness icon, and undoubtedly became an inspiration for women everywhere (I mean, who can resist that orange lip shade?).

8. Brooke Shields

Bright colors were all the rage, but so were pastels and natural, bushy brows. If we’re talking about bold brows, we have to discuss Brooke Shields. She made a name for herself because of her modeling and acting chops, but those arches are iconic.

9. Iman

About a decade before forming the most epic couple with David Bowie, Iman donned an extravagant red dress and posed for these glamor shots in 1981. Regarded as one of the most popular fashion models of all time, it’s unquestionable that everyone was copying her look.

10. Debbie Harry

What’s more ’80s than your dress coordinating with your eyeshadow and blush? Blondie’s lead singer did just that at comedian George Burns’s 85th birthday in 1981.

11. Christie Brinkley

Whether she was doing aerobics or hitting the red carpet, Christie Brinkley had the ultimate ’80s beauty routine: Smokey eye, bright pink cheeks, and a matching glossy lip.

12. Sade

Even in black and white, you can tell the British-Nigerian singer has that strong eye shadow and lipstick combo down. We saw her rocking the bold red lip in her music video for “Is It A Crime,” but her beauty routine was anything but criminal.

13. Daryl Hannah

The actress sported long, bold lashes and a matte red lip to the 60th Annual Academy Awards back in 1988. And these aren’t necessarily beauty-related, but we can’t stop gawking at her over-the-top statement earrings.

Now that we’ve revisited some of the most iconic ’80s makeup looks, it’s clear that the decade was all about pushing boundaries and embracing bold, daring styles. From Madonna’s dramatic cheeks to Iman’s striking glamour, these unforgettable beauty moments will continue to inspire makeup enthusiasts for years to come. Whether you’re trying to create an 80s makeup look for a party or simply exploring what the 80s looked like for fashion inspiration, these legendary icons offer a wealth of ideas and a fascinating glimpse into the 1980s makeup history.

80s Makeup Tutorial: Easy Steps to Recreate Iconic Looks

In this section, we’ll provide a simple step-by-step guide to recreating some of the most iconic ’80s makeup looks from the article.

Madonna’s Bold Cheeks and Red Lips

Apply a light face powder as a base.
Contour your cheeks with a dark blush, focusing on the hollows.
Fill in your eyebrows with a dark brow pencil, creating a bold and defined shape.
Apply a deep red lipstick, and use a lip liner for a more precise finish.
Finish the look with a fake beauty mark just above the upper lip.

Cyndi Lauper’s Over-the-Top Makeup

Apply a full-coverage foundation to create an even base.
Use bright and bold eyeshadow colors, like blue or pink, and blend them up to the brow bone.
Apply a heavy blush on the apples of your cheeks, blending towards the temples.
Finish the look with a vivid lipstick color, such as pink or red.
“80s Hair and Makeup: Perfect Pairings for a Complete Look”

To achieve the perfect ’80s-inspired look, pair your makeup with these iconic hairstyles:

a. Crimped Hair – A popular choice in the ’80s, crimped hair can be paired with bold makeup styles like Cyndi Lauper’s or Grace Jones’s blue eyeshadow.

b. Feathered Bangs – This classic hairstyle works well with natural makeup looks, such as Molly Ringwald’s deep red lips or Olivia Newton-John’s eyeliner.

c. Big, Voluminous Curls – Make a statement by pairing this bold hairstyle with dramatic makeup looks like Jane Fonda’s orange lip or Debbie Harry’s matching eyeshadow and blush.

80s Fashion Description: Outfits to Match Your Makeup

Complete your ’80s look with these popular fashion trends:

a. Off-the-Shoulder Tops – A great choice for a casual ’80s-inspired outfit, off-the-shoulder tops can be paired with bold makeup and accessories.

b. Leg Warmers – Add a touch of ’80s workout fashion to your look with colorful leg warmers, perfect for pairing with Jane Fonda’s fitness-inspired makeup.

c. High-Waisted Jeans – A staple of ’80s fashion, high-waisted jeans can be dressed up or down and complement natural makeup styles like Brooke Shields’s bold brows.

The Evolution of Makeup: 1980s Makeup History

The 1980s marked a significant shift in makeup trends, with a focus on bold and vibrant colors, heavy application, and experimentation. Key influences of the decade included the rise of MTV, the popularity of glam rock and new wave music, and the emergence of strong female role models in pop culture.

Modern Takes on Classic 80s Makeup Looks

Today, many makeup artists and celebrities are reinterpreting and modernizing classic ’80s makeup styles. For example, the “draping” technique, which involves using blush to contour the face, has made a comeback, and bold eyeshadow colors are popular again, with a more blended and diffused finish.

80s Makeup for Men: Iconic Looks for Guys

Men in the ’80s also embraced makeup, with male celebrities like David Bowie, Boy George, and Prince leading the way. Iconic ’80s makeup looks for men included:

a. Eyeliner – Often applied around the entire eye, eyeliner was a popular choice for men looking to make a statement.

b. Bright Eyeshadow – Bold and vibrant eyeshadow colors were worn by male musicians and performers, often complementing their flamboyant stage outfits.

c. Blush – Men in the ’80s sometimes wore blush to add a touch of color and definition to their cheekbones, much like their female counterparts.

To recreate these iconic ’80s makeup looks for men, follow these simple steps:

David Bowie’s Bold Eyes

Apply a bright eyeshadow, such as blue or green, on the eyelids and blend slightly above the crease.
Use a black eyeliner pencil to line both the upper and lower lash lines, extending the liner slightly beyond the outer corner of the eye.
Finish the look with a coat of mascara on both the upper and lower lashes.

Boy George’s Dramatic Makeup

Start with a full-coverage foundation to create an even base.
Apply a bold eyeshadow color, such as purple or pink, on the eyelids and blend up to the brow bone.
Use a black liquid eyeliner to create a dramatic wing on the upper lash line.
Apply a heavy blush on the apples of the cheeks, blending towards the temples.
Finish the look with a bright lipstick color, such as red or fuchsia.

Prince’s Subtle Glamour

Apply a light face powder as a base.
Use a brown or taupe eyeshadow to contour the eyes, blending the color into the crease and along the lower lash line.
Apply a thin line of black eyeliner along the upper lash line, and smudge it slightly for a softer look.
Add a touch of blush on the cheekbones for subtle definition.

By incorporating these additional sections into the article, you will create a more comprehensive and engaging piece of content that caters to a wider audience, increasing its potential to rank higher on Google and attract more traffic. The article will not only showcase the iconic ’80s makeup looks but also provide practical guidance for readers to recreate and adapt these styles to their own tastes, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the era’s beauty trends.

Best ’80s Makeup Looks From Mega Icons