Vintage style makeup is a timeless reflection of the glamorous beauty trends of past decades. From the classic elegance of the 1920s to the bold, statement-making looks of the 1980s, vintage makeup embraces the artistry of past beauty standards while offering inspiration for contemporary trends. Whether you’re drawn to the flawless faces of Hollywood starlets or the vibrant, colorful palettes of disco, vintage makeup offers a variety of styles to suit every taste and occasion.
Vintage makeup isn’t just about mimicking old beauty looks; it’s about recreating the techniques and the spirit of the past while embracing the timeless appeal of vintage aesthetics. This guide explores the evolution of vintage makeup trends, focusing on the key elements that defined makeup during each decade, as well as tips on how to incorporate vintage makeup styles into modern routines. From retro-inspired foundation techniques to iconic lipstick shades, vintage makeup has something for everyone.
The Evolution of Vintage Makeup
Throughout the 20th century, makeup trends evolved alongside shifting cultural, social, and fashion movements. While each decade had its own distinct style, many makeup trends have endured or been reinterpreted over time. The history of vintage makeup is rich with iconic looks that have shaped the way we perceive beauty today.
Early 20th Century: The Beginnings of Modern Makeup
The early 20th century marked the beginning of the modern makeup industry, where beauty products evolved from homemade concoctions to commercialized goods available for everyday use. During this period, makeup was often used by actresses in film to create dramatic looks that would read well on screen, particularly in black and white films.
1910s and 1920s: The Rise of Bold Lips and Defined Eyes
In the 1910s and 1920s, makeup became a popularized trend, with the rise of iconic film actresses like Clara Bow, who became known for her bold makeup looks. The 1920s, in particular, embraced dramatic changes, thanks to the flapper movement, which encouraged women to embrace bold, confident looks.
- Design Features: Dark, defined eyes, and bold, red lips. The 1920s saw the introduction of shorter hairstyles, which drew attention to the face and made makeup more prominent.
- Materials and Techniques: Women often used cold creams, rouge, and kohl pencils to enhance their eyes and lips. Lipstick became more widely available, and mascara was introduced to emphasize lashes.
- Style: Dramatic, with an emphasis on the eyes and lips, creating a seductive, yet youthful look.
1930s and 1940s: The Golden Age of Hollywood Glamour
The 1930s and 1940s brought about the Hollywood glamour look, where actresses like Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and Marilyn Monroe became beauty icons. Makeup during this period became more refined, with a focus on enhancing natural beauty through carefully applied makeup.
1930s: Soft Glamour and Defined Brows
The 1930s saw the introduction of more structured, yet softer makeup looks. Eyebrows became more arched and defined, and lips were often painted in softer, rounded shapes. This era marked the move from the boldness of the 1920s to a more subtle approach, still emphasizing sophistication and elegance.
- Design Features: Arched eyebrows, soft eyeshadow, defined lips with rounded edges, and natural blush. The lips were often painted in shades of red, coral, or berry.
- Materials and Techniques: Lipstick in matte and satin finishes became popular, and powder foundations were used to create a smooth, flawless complexion.
- Style: Elegant, refined, and soft, often with a focus on bringing out natural features.
1940s: The Return of Full Lips and Defined Eyes
The 1940s brought about a return to more glamorous makeup looks, thanks to the influence of World War II and the subsequent post-war optimism. Actresses like Rita Hayworth and Bette Davis embraced bold lips, winged eyeliner, and sculpted eyebrows, creating a more dramatic, yet still feminine look.
- Design Features: Winged eyeliner, dramatic lashes, full lips, and soft contouring. The overall look was bold and expressive, often highlighting the eyes and lips as focal points.
- Materials and Techniques: Liquid eyeliner became a staple in creating the winged eyeliner look, while red and berry lipsticks continued to dominate. Face powders were used to set makeup for a matte finish.
- Style: Bold, glamorous, and sophisticated, with a focus on symmetry and elegance.
1950s: The Birth of the Pin-Up Look
The 1950s are often remembered for the rise of the pin-up style, a feminine and flirtatious aesthetic popularized by stars like Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, and Audrey Hepburn. The 1950s embraced dramatic eye makeup, a soft, glowing complexion, and full lips, creating an ultra-feminine, playful look that is still iconic today.
1950s: Defined Eyes and Red Lips
The 1950s were marked by the quintessential “pin-up” look, which emphasized a flawless, porcelain complexion, dramatic eyes, and bold lips. Eye makeup featured winged eyeliner, and eyebrows were carefully shaped and filled in to create a well-defined look.
- Design Features: Winged eyeliner with long lashes, bold red lips, and rounded blush. Contouring was minimal, with a focus on highlighting the cheeks for a soft, natural glow.
- Materials and Techniques: Liquid eyeliner, mascara, and full coverage foundation were used to create a flawless base. Lipstick was bold and matte, often in shades of red, coral, or deep pink.
- Style: Bold, glamorous, and playful, with an emphasis on achieving the perfect, feminine look.
1960s: Mod Makeup and Bold Eyes
The 1960s saw a dramatic shift in makeup trends, with the rise of mod fashion and the iconic look of models like Twiggy. The era embraced heavy eye makeup, including bold eyeliner, false lashes, and dramatic eye shapes. This period marked a departure from the full lips of previous decades and focused heavily on the eyes.
1960s: The Focus on Eyes and Pastel Hues
The 1960s introduced a youthful, experimental approach to makeup, focusing on bold eyeshadow colors and thick lashes. The iconic mod look was defined by exaggerated, geometric eyes, with thick eyeliner and thick false lashes. Lips were kept subtle with nude or pale pink shades.
- Design Features: Heavy, graphic eyeliner, false lashes, and pastel eyeshadows. Lips were kept neutral, and the skin had a matte, porcelain finish.
- Materials and Techniques: Cream and powder eyeshadows in pastel colors like lavender, baby blue, and mint green were common. Mascara and liquid eyeliner were essential for the bold eye looks.
- Style: Bold, dramatic, and experimental, with an emphasis on youthful energy and dramatic eyes.
1970s: Disco Fever and Natural Glam
The 1970s embraced more natural, free-spirited makeup looks, influenced by the bohemian and hippie movements, as well as the rise of disco glamour. The 1970s saw a shift toward earthy tones, dewy skin, and less defined, more natural eye makeup.
1970s: Earthy Tones and Glowing Skin
In the 1970s, makeup became softer and more natural, with a focus on bronzed skin, subtle eye makeup, and neutral tones. However, the disco scene also brought about bold lip colors, sparkling eye makeup, and dramatic false lashes for nighttime glam.
- Design Features: Bronze and brown eyeshadows, natural brows, glowing skin with minimal foundation, and a more relaxed approach to eyeliner and lipstick.
- Materials and Techniques: Shimmery eyeshadows, soft pink or bronze blush, and lip gloss became staples. Skin was often highlighted with shimmer powders or bronzers for a sun-kissed glow.
- Style: Natural, radiant, and glowing for daytime, with bold, glamorous makeup for evening disco looks.
1980s: Bold and Experimental
The 1980s were a time of experimentation with bold, vibrant makeup looks. The makeup trends of the 1980s were all about bold colors, dramatic shapes, and exaggerated features, reflecting the pop culture, music, and overall energetic attitude of the decade.
1980s: Bright Colors and Heavy Contouring
In the 1980s, bold eye makeup took center stage with neon and pastel eyeshadows, and brows were thick and well-defined. The lips were often painted in bright shades of pink, red, or fuchsia, and heavy contouring emerged as a technique to define the cheekbones and jawline.
- Design Features: Bright eyeshadows in neon colors, thick eyeliner, blush applied heavily on the apples of the cheeks, and bold lipstick shades like pink, red, and coral.
- Materials and Techniques: Matte or glossy lipstick, bright colored blush, and heavy contouring became popular. Face powders were often used to set makeup for a flawless finish.
- Style: Bold, experimental, and energetic, with an emphasis on creating dramatic, striking looks.
Key Elements of Vintage Makeup Looks
The vintage makeup looks of each era are defined by specific elements that have become iconic. These elements include bold lips, defined eyes, dewy skin, and precise application techniques. Here are the key features of vintage makeup that have stood the test of time.
Bold Lips
According to VintageQQ, bold lips have been a consistent feature in vintage makeup, from the red lips of the 1930s and 1940s to the nude and pink shades of the 1960s and 1970s. Bold lipstick shades, especially red, have been associated with glamour, sophistication, and confidence.
- Colors: Red, berry, coral, and deep pink are the classic shades for vintage lips.
- Application: Lipliner was often used to define the lips, followed by matte or glossy lipstick. In the 1950s, the use of lip brushes for precise application was common.
Defined Eyes
Vintage makeup is often characterized by its attention to the eyes. Whether it’s the bold winged eyeliner of the 1940s or the dramatic false lashes of the 1960s, the eyes are consistently a focal point in vintage beauty.
- Techniques: Winged eyeliner, thick lashes, and bold eyeshadow colors were key features in many vintage looks. False lashes were popularized in the 1960s, adding volume and length.
- Materials: Liquid eyeliner, pencil eyeliner, and mascara were commonly used to define the eyes. Eyeshadow in neutral, metallic, or pastel tones was applied to accentuate the eyes.
Flawless Skin
Flawless, radiant skin has always been a hallmark of vintage makeup looks. Whether it’s the porcelain finish of the 1920s or the glowing skin of the 1970s, achieving a smooth, even complexion was essential to creating the perfect vintage look.
- Techniques: Full coverage foundation, setting powders, and highlighters were used to create a flawless base. Blush was applied to accentuate the cheekbones, and bronzer was used for added dimension.
- Products: Foundations were often thick and full-coverage, while the 1970s and 1980s introduced more dewy, glowing finishes.
Natural or Dramatic Eyebrows
Eyebrows have varied in shape and style over the years, from the thin, arched brows of the 1920s to the thick, bushy brows of the 1980s. In vintage makeup, eyebrows are often carefully shaped and defined to suit the look of the era.
- Shapes: In the 1920s, thin, arched brows were in style, while the 1940s and 1950s saw fuller, natural brows. The 1980s embraced thick, bold eyebrows, often with a more natural shape.
- Techniques: Eyebrows were often filled in with pencils or powders, and sometimes even wax or gel for a more defined look.
Vintage makeup offers a rich history of beauty trends that continue to influence modern makeup styles. Whether you’re looking to recreate the soft glamour of the 1930s or the bold, vibrant looks of the 1980s, vintage makeup allows for endless opportunities to express creativity, elegance, and nostalgia. With key features like bold lips, defined eyes, and flawless skin, vintage makeup remains an enduring style statement that transcends time and trends.