80s Makeup and Hairstyles: A Bold Revival

Big hair, bright eyeshadow, and tons of blush - the hair and makeup trends of the 1980s were undeniably bold and over-the-top, in the best possible way! The decade embraced a "more is more" philosophy, encouraging experimentation with color and volume. Today, these statement-making trends are experiencing a significant resurgence, blending their original audacity with modern sensibilities.

The Evolution of 80s Beauty

The 1980s were a distinctive era in fashion and beauty, marked by defining features like shoulder pads, the rise of MTV and music videos, and a general embrace of excess. Posters of Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe adorned bedroom walls, while Walkmans blasted the hits of Whitney Houston and Duran Duran. Bigger-than-life hair and bold lipstick were the norm, with icons like Madonna inspiring specific beauty rituals, such as using Clariol Benders Hair Curlers for her signature curls and Maybelline's Kissing Potions for glossy lips. Across Hollywood and dance floors, blue-colored lashes fluttered to the beat of pop music.

While the Y2K and '90s have seen their own beauty revivals, the '80s are now having their moment. As people become bolder in their style and self-expression, the '80s beauty trends are re-emerging. Makeup artists are tapping into the decade's most influential looks, identifying which trends are making a comeback and the best products to achieve them.

Key 80s Makeup Trends Making a Comeback

1. Bright Blush and Draping

True to the loud-and-proud theme of the '80s, vibrant blush was all the rage. The bold, draped blush of the decade is back, offering a more natural flush of color or a dramatic statement. Makeup artist J. Brandon Correa recommends using a buildable, pigmented balm for a sheer, natural look. For a more dramatic effect, cream blush can be applied first, followed by a powder blush. The draping technique involves sweeping blush higher on the cheekbones, starting below the pupil and sweeping into the hairline, blending back towards the temples. This technique, also known as "color grow," extends beyond traditional blush application to enhance the cheek area.

Key takeaway: Blush placement was high, often extending to the temples, and color intensity was key. Hot pinks and reds were popular choices.

2. Electric Blue Eyeshadow

Of the many colorful makeup trends, blue eyeshadow truly reigned supreme and became emblematic of the '80s. In its original form, bright, baby blue shades were opaquely swiped across the lid for a pop art aesthetic. Today, this trend is adapted for modern life with a more toned-down approach. "Try using pops of color that will add edge but not overwhelm," suggests Correa. Various shades of blue, from baby blue to deeper tones, can be used to play with different depths and undertones. Blue eyeshadow was known for its versatility, looking great on all skin tones and eye colors, enhancing colored eyes and brightening brown eyes.

Key takeaway: Blue eyeshadow was a staple, used across the lid, and often paired with other bold colors. Modern interpretations focus on strategic pops of color.

3. Punchy Pink and Bold Lips

Bold lips have never completely fallen out of favor, but vibrant shades of fuchsia are forever associated with the '80s. For a matte lip, pigmented liquid lipsticks with a long-wear formula are recommended. For a satin or gloss finish, a pigmented balm offers a vibrant pop of color with a subtle homage to the '80s. Metallic and frosted finishes were also popular, with a soft, subtle look being the modern update. Full and overlined lips, achieved with lip pencils a shade or two darker than the natural lip color, were a key technique for achieving fuller lips.

Key takeaway: Bright pinks, deep reds, shocking pinks, and frosted purples dominated lip color. Glossy, sumptuous, and metallic finishes were highly desirable.

4. Natural, Fluffy Brows

Naturally full, bushy brows were the go-to look in the '80s, before the pencil-thin brows of the '90s took over. To achieve this look, a lash primer can be used for a thickening effect, followed by a brow tint to give the illusion of depth and fullness. Eyebrow gel is essential for taming and shaping these bold brows. This trend has seamlessly made its way into contemporary beauty routines, with many embracing the power of strong, prominent eyebrows.

Key takeaway: Embrace your natural brow shape and add fullness with gel and tint for a bold, statement look.

5. Colorful Lids and Statement Shadow

In the '80s, bright lips were often paired with similarly bold eyeshadow that covered the wearer’s entire lid and beyond. Instead of opting for purple or blue eyeshadow from lid to brow, modern interpretations suggest using bright colored liner in bold and interesting ways, such as creating graphic shapes or adding a pop of color in the inner corners of the eyes. For those who want to cover their whole lid, multi-use liquid pigments in shades of bright pinks, blues, and greens are excellent choices. Staying away from dark or smoky colors is recommended to avoid making the eyes look heavy or smaller. Lighter, brighter shades blended gradually create the desired effect.

Key takeaway: Eyeshadow was applied generously, often in vibrant, monochromatic shades. Modern takes involve graphic liner or strategic pops of color.

6. Metallic Shine and Iridescence

Metallic finishes were a major moment in the '80s, whether on lips or eyelids. While the trend used to have a grungier feel, it has evolved into something more elevated. Instead of harsh finishes, multi-use formulas with reflective particles enhance the overall look in a more elegant manner. Liquid eyeshadows with subtle chrome finishes and lip balms with shimmering metallic flecks are modern ways to embrace this trend.

Key takeaway: Metallic and iridescent finishes added a futuristic and glamorous touch to both eyes and lips.

7. Pink-and-Purple Combinations

The pink-and-purple combo was a big hit in the '80s. Applying diffused pink or purplish highlighter over blush at the highest part of the cheekbone and brushing up to the temple gives an instant '80s feeling. Layering a purplish pearl or sparkle on the eyelids can also shift the look. For a modern approach, pairing a lilac lid with a petal pink lip offers a softer take on this vibrant combination.

Key takeaway: This color pairing was popular for both blush and eyeshadow, creating a fun and playful look.

8. Elevated Grunge and Smoky Eyes

Cher's beauty looks established her as a style icon of the '80s, with one of her signature styles being a glam-grunge feel. The modern smoky eye has evolved from this. Using a pigmented black gel liner allows for precise application and long staying power, creating a dark, smoky eye. The "rocker eye" trend, championed by icons like Debbie Harry, is also making a comeback, with an emphasis on smudged black eyeliner and potential accentuation of lower lashes for added depth.

Key takeaway: Smoky eyes, often with a grunge-inspired edge, were a hallmark of '80s nighttime glamour.

9. Pops of Neon and Colored Mascara

Neon colors dominated '80s fashion and made major waves in the beauty space, with vibrant colors appearing on lips and eyes. Cyndi Lauper was iconic for her playful use of makeup, such as bold orange smoky eyes with purple mascara. While incorporating multiple neon colors can create an '80s dream eye, a single shade offers a more modern take. Colored mascara, beyond black, also channels a retro-inspired look, adding an unexpected pop of color.

Key takeaway: Neon hues and unexpected pops of color, like colored mascara, added a vibrant and playful element.

Iconic 80s Hairstyles

The 1980s hair was characterized by volume, fluffiness, and often, a defiance of gravity. Hairspray was an essential tool, used to create rigid shapes that could feel crispy and stiff with older formulations. Perms were a significant part of the era, along with styles like mullets, shags, and wolf cuts, which have seen a resurgence in recent years.

1. Big, Voluminous Hair

Achieving the perfect '80s hair required dedication. This often involved flipping the head upside down and blasting it with a blow dryer, followed by liberal use of hairspray and teasing until significant volume was achieved. Celebrity hairstylist Bob Recine used plenty of hairspray to create a full, yet sexy and tousled look for Miley Cyrus's bouffant hairstyle, aiming for movement rather than stiffness.

2. Crimped Hair

To achieve crimped hair, sections of hair are clipped between crimping plates close to the roots and pressed for several seconds. This process is repeated down the length of the hair to create texture. Crimped hair could be combined with other styles like teasing or curls for added dimension.

3. Scrunching and Diffusing

For a textured, voluminous look, a quarter-sized amount of hair gel is spread all over the hair from root to tip. Using a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment, flip your head over and gently scrunch the hair as you diffuse it until completely dry. Brushing it out afterwards can enhance the fluffy finish.

4. Tight Ringlets and Curls

To create tight ringlets, sections of hair are wrapped tightly around a curling wand for 3-4 seconds and then released. This process is repeated all over the head to create a cascade of curls. This technique is reminiscent of the perms that were popular in the era, giving even straight hair a bouncy, spiral texture.

5. Teasing and Backcombing

To minimize damage from teasing, a volumizing product like sea salt spray or dry shampoo is worked into the hair first. A comb or pick is then used to backcomb hair, working with small sections from roots to ends until ample volume is achieved. This technique could be combined with crimped or curled hair.

6. High Ponytails

For a simpler solution, hair can be pulled back into a high ponytail, often secured with a scrunchie. This style offered a quick and easy way to achieve an '80s-inspired look.

7. Statement Bangs

Bangs in the '80s were often works of art, curled, sprayed, and sculpted into gravity-defying arches. These were sometimes teased and could be combined with other voluminous hairstyles.

8. Mullets and Outré Haircuts

Styles like mullets, shags, and wolf cuts were part of the era's adventurous spirit. Billie Piper's spiky mullet, complete with root lift and flicked ends, is an example of this statement hair trend.

Modernizing 80s Trends

While the '80s were known for their bold, sometimes overwhelming, beauty choices, modern interpretations focus on balance and wearability. Makeup quality has significantly improved, allowing for better application and more sophisticated finishes. To modernize '80s makeup for everyday wear, it's recommended to pick one facet of the trend to emphasize, such as neutral eyes with a fun metallic lip, or bright pink eyeshadow with a clear gloss.

"The key to mastering '80s-inspired makeup in modern times is finding the perfect balance between retro allure and contemporary cool," notes one expert. Today’s take on '80s hair and makeup swerves the infamous shellacked texture for a soft, wearable finish, with haircuts created to flatter each face shape. Hairstylists ensure that details like bangs are tailored to each individual's face shape, and hairstyles are designed to work with the wearer's features.

While the original '80s encouraged a "more is more" approach, today's trends encourage a more curated, yet still bold, expression of style. Whether it's a pop of electric blue eyeliner or a sweep of vibrant blush, the spirit of the '80s lives on in its ability to encourage playfulness and confidence in makeup and hair choices.

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