70s Makeup: The Complete Guide to Iconic 1970s Beauty Trends and How to Recreate Them Today

70s makeup is one of the most recognizable beauty trends in fashion history. The 1970s gave us everything from natural glowing skin to bold disco glam, colorful eyeshadow, dramatic lashes, glossy lips, and perfectly feathered brows. Even today, many modern makeup looks borrow inspiration from this unforgettable decade.

Here’s the thing: there wasn’t just one makeup trend during the 1970s. Different styles became popular throughout the decade, influenced by music, movies, celebrities, and changing fashion. Whether you love soft bohemian beauty or sparkling disco glam, there’s a 70s-inspired look for everyone.

In this guide, you’ll learn what made 70s makeup so unique, how the trends changed over the decade, and how you can recreate the look using today’s products.

What Is 70s Makeup?

70s makeup refers to beauty styles that became popular between 1970 and 1979. The decade was known for creativity and self-expression.

Unlike the dramatic eyeliner of the 1960s, many early 1970s looks focused on natural beauty. Later in the decade, disco culture introduced shimmer, glitter, bright colors, and glamorous finishes.

What’s interesting is that both minimal makeup and bold makeup existed at the same time, depending on personal style and fashion influences.

Why 70s Makeup Is Popular Again

Vintage beauty trends always come back, and the 1970s are no exception.

Many people enjoy recreating retro looks because they feel timeless while still looking modern. Social media, fashion shows, and celebrities have helped bring 70s-inspired beauty back into everyday makeup.

Today’s makeup products also make it much easier to achieve the same style with improved formulas.

The History Behind 70s Makeup

The 1970s were a decade of cultural change. Music genres like disco, rock, soul, and folk influenced fashion and beauty.

Popular films, television shows, magazines, and musicians inspired millions of people to experiment with their appearance.

As fashion became more relaxed, makeup also became more diverse. Instead of following one beauty standard, people created looks that matched their own personality.

Natural Beauty Defined the Early 1970s

The beginning of the decade focused on fresh, healthy-looking skin.

Women often chose:

• Light foundation
• Soft blush
• Neutral eyeshadow
• Natural lip colors
• Minimal eyeliner

The goal wasn’t to hide every imperfection. Instead, makeup enhanced natural features.

This effortless appearance matched the relaxed fashion trends of the time.

Disco Glam Changed Everything

By the middle and late 1970s, disco became one of the biggest influences on beauty.

Nightclubs encouraged people to wear makeup that reflected colorful lights and energetic music.

Disco-inspired looks included:

• Metallic eyeshadow
• Glitter accents
• Bright blush
• Glossy lips
• Dramatic eyelashes

This glamorous style remains one of the most famous versions of 70s makeup.

Signature Eye Makeup Trends

Eye makeup became the main focus for many 1970s beauty lovers.

Popular choices included:

Soft Earth Tones

Brown, bronze, peach, and gold shades were everyday favorites.

Blue Eyeshadow

Blue became one of the most fashionable colors during the decade.

Green and Purple Shades

These colorful shadows appeared in magazines, television, and disco clubs.

Frosted Finishes

Shimmer and frosted eyeshadows reflected light beautifully, especially at night.

Eyeliner Styles in the 1970s

Unlike the thick cat-eye styles of the 1960s, eyeliner became softer for many daytime looks.

People often wore:

• Thin black liner
• Brown eyeliner
• Smudged lower lash line
• Gentle winged eyeliner

Disco styles sometimes featured heavier liner for extra drama.

Long Lashes Were Essential

Mascara played a huge role in creating the perfect retro appearance.

Popular lash trends included:

• Thick upper lashes
• Separated lashes
• False eyelashes for parties
• Layered mascara

Large, open eyes became one of the defining features of 70s makeup.

Brows Became Softer

Eyebrows changed noticeably during the decade.

Instead of extremely thin brows, many people preferred:

• Natural arches
• Feathered texture
• Soft shaping
• Less over-plucking

Modern beauty trends have actually returned to this more natural approach.

The Best Lip Colors of the 1970s

Lipstick shades depended on the occasion.

Everyday favorites included:

• Nude
• Beige
• Peach
• Soft pink
• Coral

Evening makeup introduced richer colors along with shiny lip gloss.

Glossy lips became especially popular during the disco era.

Blush Added Healthy Color

Blush wasn’t meant to look heavy.

Instead, makeup artists used it to create a healthy glow.

Popular shades included:

• Peach
• Coral
• Soft pink
• Warm rose

Cream blush products also became increasingly popular because they looked more natural.

Popular Face Makeup Techniques

Foundation formulas during the 1970s usually aimed for a satin or natural finish.

Instead of heavy contouring, people focused on:

• Smooth skin
• Soft highlighting
• Gentle blush
• Minimal powder

To be honest, today’s “clean girl” makeup shares some similarities with early 1970s beauty.

How to Recreate 70s Makeup Today

You don’t need vintage products to achieve this classic style.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Use moisturizer and primer for a smooth base.

Step 2: Apply Lightweight Foundation

Choose a natural-looking foundation instead of full coverage.

Step 3: Add Soft Blush

Apply peach or coral blush to the cheeks.

Step 4: Create the Eyes

Choose bronze, gold, blue, or green eyeshadow depending on the look you want.

Step 5: Apply Mascara

Build long, separated lashes.

Step 6: Shape the Brows

Keep them soft and natural.

Step 7: Finish With Lip Gloss

Use nude or peach lipstick with clear gloss.

Modern Products That Work Well

Many current beauty brands offer products that easily recreate vintage styles.

Look for:

• Metallic eyeshadow palettes
• Cream blush
• Brown eyeliner
• Volumizing mascara
• Clear lip gloss
• Satin-finish foundation

These products provide the retro appearance while using modern formulas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When recreating 70s makeup, avoid making the look too modern.

Some common mistakes include:

• Over-contouring
• Extremely sharp brows
• Matte liquid lipstick
• Heavy baking with powder
• Thick graphic eyeliner

Keeping the makeup soft and blended usually creates the most authentic result.

Celebrity Inspiration From the 1970s

Many famous entertainers helped define beauty during the decade.

Some well-known inspirations include:

• Farrah Fawcett
• Cher
• Diana Ross
• Donna Summer
• Debbie Harry
• Bianca Jagger

Each brought a unique interpretation of 1970s fashion and beauty, proving there was never just one correct style.

Why 70s Makeup Still Influences Beauty Trends

Fashion often repeats itself.

Natural skin, glossy lips, feathered brows, and shimmering eyes continue appearing in beauty collections every year.

Many runway shows and makeup artists still borrow ideas from the 1970s because the styles remain flattering and versatile.

Whether someone prefers understated elegance or dramatic disco glamour, the decade offers plenty of inspiration.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re trying 70s makeup for the first time, start simple.

Choose one retro feature such as metallic eyeshadow or glossy lips before attempting a complete vintage makeover.

Practice blending your eyeshadow well, and remember that natural-looking skin is just as important as colorful eyes.

Most importantly, have fun experimenting with different versions of the style.

FAQs About 70s Makeup

1. What colors were popular in 70s makeup?

Brown, gold, bronze, blue, green, peach, coral, and soft pink were among the most popular makeup colors.

2. Was 70s makeup natural or glamorous?

Both styles were popular. Early 1970s makeup leaned toward natural beauty, while the disco years introduced bold glamour.

3. What lipstick was popular in the 1970s?

Nude, peach, coral, pink, and glossy finishes were common choices throughout the decade.

4. Can beginners recreate 70s makeup?

Yes. Modern makeup products make it easy to achieve a classic 1970s-inspired look with simple techniques.

5. Why is 70s makeup trending again?

Vintage fashion continues to inspire today’s beauty industry, and many modern trends like glossy lips, natural brows, and shimmering eyes are influenced by the 1970s.

Final Thoughts

70s makeup remains one of the most influential beauty trends ever created. From fresh, natural daytime looks to sparkling disco glamour, the decade offered incredible variety that still inspires makeup lovers today. By focusing on soft skin, expressive eyes, glossy lips, and natural brows, you can easily recreate the timeless charm of this iconic era.

If you’d like to learn more about the decade that inspired these beauty trends, the 1970s article on Wikipedia is a helpful starting point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970s.

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