Do 80's Makeup and Hair

Do you love the flashy, punky look that dominated the 1980s? Are you going to an 80s themed dance and need to look the part? Getting that rad 80s style is easier than you might think; a few hair accessories and some bright eye makeup might be all it takes!

Steps

Doing the Makeup

  1. Start with a clean face and apply some toner and moisturizer. This will help give you a clean "canvas" to work on. Even if you have very oily skin, some moisturizer is a good idea; choose something lightweight or gel-based.
  2. Apply primer, if desired, then foundation and powder. Face primer is not absolutely necessary, but it will fill in any pores and wrinkles, and make your makeup appear smoother.
    • If you have oily skin, try a liquid or powder-based foundation. If you have dry skin, try a liquid or cream-based foundation.
    • If you have oily skin, focus your powder on the T-zones: your nose, forehead, chin, and cheeks. If you have dry skin, go easy on the powder, or skip it entirely.
  3. Go heavy on the blush, especially in the hallows of your cheeks and just in front of your ears. This will help contour your face and bring out your cheek bones.[1] You can also try contouring your face instead, which was also very popular in the 80s.[2] Contouring is ideal for a darker, punk, or gothic look.
    • To contour your face, choose a bronzer or foundation that is 2 to 3 shades darker than your skin tone, and apply it to either side of your nose, your temples, and the hallows of your cheeks.
  4. Apply some bright eyeshadow using an eyeshadow brush, and make it the focus of your look.[3] Use a medium-shade all over your lid, and a lighter shade across your brow bone. Finish off with a darker color in the crease.
    • For a standard 80s look, choose bright colors, like orange, red, purple, blue, neon green, or hot pink. Blue was especially popular.[4]
    • Use darker colors for a punk or gothic look. Punk and goth were popular during the 80s.
    • Eyeshadow does not have to cover just your eyelid. You can make it shaped like a lightning bolt even. This was David Bowie's trademark makeup when he played Aladdin Sane [5]
    • Consider applying some eyeshadow primer first. This will make those bright colors stand out even more. Simply apply the primer over your entire lid, from lash line to brow bone, then brush on the eyeshadow.
  5. Don't be afraid to go crazy with the eyeliner. You can do a simple eyeliner, or a thick Gothic one. You can even use the eyeliner to draw a bold shape across your eye, such as a lightning bolt.
    • The eyeliner does not have to be black. It can be a different color, such as bright purple.[2] Blue an teal eyeliners, especially on the lower lash line, were very popular.[1]
  6. Add some volumizing mascara to balance your eyeshadow and eyeliner.[3] Position the brush at the base of your lashes, close to the lash line. Then, comb upwards, towards the tips of your lashes using a wiggling motion. The 80s look is all about the eyes, so you will likely be wearing a lot of eyeshadow and eyeliner. A good, volumizing mascara will help balance the look, and open up your eyes.
    • Mascara does not have to be black. If you want a bright, wild look, try purple, green, or blue mascara. Bright blue mascara was very popular.[6]
  7. Keep your eyebrows full and bushy, but also well-kempt. Pluck away any stray hairs, and comb through your brows using a brow brush. If your brows are thin, fill them in with eyebrow pencil or brow powder. Thick, bushy brows were popular during the 80s.[2]
  8. Apply a brightly-colored lipstick that goes well with your eyeshadow color. Try to use a frosted lipstick color, if you can. It will make your lips appear fuller; the frosted look was also very popular in the 80s.[2] Also, don't be afraid to experiment with different, bold lipstick colors, such as hot pink or purple.
    • If you want to do a more punk or gothic look, use a very dark purple or red, or black.
    • Lip gloss was popular too, but mostly among younger girls. If you'd like a younger, more youthful look, go for lip gloss.[7]
  9. Consider setting your makeup with setting powder or setting spray to make it last longer. This is essential if you are going to a party.

Getting the Hair

  1. Start with damp hair, but skip the conditioner and any smoothing, silicone-containing products. These will weigh your hair down, and make it too smooth.[8] Big, wild hair was very popular in the 80s.
    • Consider spraying your hair with salt spray. This will give your hair some extra texture, and make it easier to work with once it dries.[8]
    • If your hair has troubles holding styles, add some lightweight styling mousse into your hair.
  2. Put your hair into lots of tiny braids the day before if you want a Crimp Hair Without Heat look.[9] You will need to do this in the day before your party or event so that your hair has time to dry. Once your hair is completely dry, take the braids out, and fluffy them up.
    • If you are short on time, blow dry your hair first, then spray it with a heat protecting spray. Crimp your hair using a crimping iron and set it with hairspray.
  3. Backcomb your hair while blow drying it to add volume. Comb your hair backwards at the crown while your blow dry it. You can also bend forward, so that your hair hangs in front of your face, and aim the hairdryer nozzle upwards.
  4. Tease your hair after it is dry to add more volume. Take a ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) wide section of hair from the front of your head. Pull it straight up and hold it taut. Use a comb or boar bristle brush to comb your hair rapidly downwards towards your scalp. Do this about three times before combing it back, and moving onto the next section.[8]
  5. Try a high ponytail if you don't want to do anything to your hair.[10] This works great on straight hair as well. You can also combine this with backcombing and/or crimping. The ponytail can even be off to the side, just above your ear. For a final touch, wrap a scrunchie around the base of your ponytail to hide the hair tie.[9]
  6. Go for big bangs. The 80s were all about the big, bold, and colorful, and hair was no exception. If you have bangs, try to get them as big as possible. You can do this by crimping them, curling them, or putting them into large, barrel rollers the night before.[9]
  7. Go natural if you have textured or ethnic hair. The 80s were all about big hair, so if you are blessed with textured or ethnic hair, you are lucky and don't have to do much. Follow your usual hair care routine, and wrap a thick, cloth headband around your hair to give your hair a pop of color.
    • If you like to wear your hair in braids or cornrows, try adding some plastic pony beads to the end for a pop of color and fun.[11]
  8. Don't forget the hair accessories. Items such as scrunchies, thick fabric headbands, plastic barrettes, and big bows were popular in the 80s. Choose items with bold patterns and bright colors for a standard 80s look. For something more punk or gothic, stick with black.



Tips

  • If you don't like bright colors, you are in luck. Punk and goth were also popular during the 80s, and they were all about dark colors—especially black.
  • Look at celebrities and models from the 80s for inspiration. David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust, Madonna, Farrah, and Siouxsie Sioux are all great examples of 80s fashion.
  • Paint a heart or star on your right cheek for a signature retro touch.
  • Be unique. You don't have to follow this exactly.
  • Avoid using hairspray that contains water. This will lead to frizz, and your styles won't last as long.[8]

Warnings

  • Make sure to wash all makeup off before going to sleep. Failing to do so will clog your pores and cause acne.
  • Don't go overboard on the colors, or you will end up looking more like a clown. Try to match your lipstick, eyeshadow, and/or eyeliner. This will help tie your look together.

Things You'll Need

Doing the Makeup

  • Foundation and powder
  • Blush or bronzer
  • Face primer and eyeshadow primer (optional but recommended)
  • Eyeliner (black, blue, teal, or purple)
  • Mascara (black, blue, teal, or purple)
  • Eyeshadow (very bright or dark colors)
  • Lipstick (bright colors, or black)
  • Setting powder or setting spray (optional but recommended)
  • Make-up brushes

Getting the Hair

  • Comb (boar bristle recommended)
  • Hairspray
  • Lightweight styling mousse.
  • Hair ties and scrunchies
  • Crimping iron (optional)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.liketotally80s.com/2006/10/80s-makeup/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.doedeereblogazine.com/articles/made-in-the-80s-makeup-tutorial/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.maybelline.com/100/look-1980?crlt.pid=camp.GJOHzhA7dkGN
  4. ↑ http://www.liketotally80s.com/2011/10/blue-eyeshadow/
  5. ↑ http://www.popsugar.com/beauty/David-Bowie-Makeup-Tutorial-2426429/
  6. ↑ http://www.liketotally80s.com/2014/05/blue-mascara/
  7. ↑ http://www.liketotally80s.com/2012/05/lip-gloss/
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 http://stylecaster.com/beauty/carelearn-how-tease-your-tips-from-nathaniel-hawkins
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 http://www.liketotally80s.com/2011/01/80s-hair-ideas/
  10. ↑ http://www.allure.com/hair-ideas/2015/80s-hairstyles-trends#slide=1
  11. ↑ http://blackgirllonghair.com/2015/03/throwback-six-iconic-80s-naturals/
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