1970s Retro Makeup: A Journey Through Disco, Glam, and the Iconic Blue Eyeshadow
The 1970s was a decade of bold self-expression, where fashion and beauty collided in an unforgettable explosion of colors, textures, and vibes. From the high-energy lights of the disco to the free-spirited ethos of glam rock, 1970s makeup was all about making a statement. As we look back, one thing becomes clear: makeup was never just about looking good—it was about creating a mood, an identity, and a look that could own the night. Let’s dive into the key elements that made 1970s retro makeup iconic!
The Disco Fever: Glitter, Gloss, and Glitz
When you think of the ‘70s, disco immediately comes to mind. The makeup of the disco era was designed to shine just as brightly as the lights reflecting off the glitter ball above. Women (and some men!) wore makeup that was bold, dazzling, and ready to party.
Eyes
Disco makeup centered around dramatic, expressive eyes. Shimmering eyeshadow in hues of silver, gold, and (of course) blue became a go-to. Glitter was often used to enhance the eyes, adding a sparkle that caught the light on the dancefloor. And let's not forget the heavy eyeliner! The thick, black liner was applied liberally, both on the upper and lower lash lines, often winged out into exaggerated cat-eye shapes to create a dramatic effect.
Face
When it came to the skin, the look was dewy and glowing. Highlighter wasn’t called “highlighter” yet, but women used shimmery products and glossy finishes to create that "lit from within" look. The idea was to have a luminous complexion that sparkled under the lights, with a focus on blush, typically in soft pinks and peachy tones, placed high on the cheeks to give that sculpted, fresh look.
Lips
Lips were glossy, full, and shiny. Lip gloss in nude or soft pinks was a must, giving the face a youthful, fresh appearance. Glossy lips complemented the glittery, bold eyes, balancing the overall look.
Glam Rock: Edgy, Bold, and Unapologetic
While disco makeup was all about glittery fun, glam rock makeup was about rebellion, individuality, and boldness. Artists like David Bowie (and his alter ego Ziggy Stardust) played with gender, color, and shapes in a way that hadn’t been seen before. Glam rock makeup often crossed traditional gender boundaries, with men and women alike embracing daring styles.
Eyes
Glam rock makeup was an exercise in excess. Think bright colors, like electric blue, neon pink, and deep purples, applied with a heavy hand. Often, eyeshadow extended well beyond the eyelids, blending up towards the eyebrows and even out toward the temples. Thick, graphic eyeliner added even more drama, and false eyelashes or heavily mascaraed lashes completed the look. Glam was all about intensity and edginess.
Face
For the face, glam rock often meant a pale, matte complexion, but with exaggerated contours and blush to carve out sharp cheekbones. Sometimes, blush was applied in unconventional colors like reds or purples, enhancing the otherworldly look that glam rock stars were famous for. The face was a canvas, and makeup was an art form that challenged the status quo.
Lips
In the glam rock world, lips were just as bold as the eyes. Bright reds, purples, or even black lipstick wasn’t uncommon. Lips were drawn slightly outside the natural lip line to make them look fuller, creating a striking contrast against the sharpness of the eyes and face makeup.
The Infamous Blue Eyeshadow
It’s impossible to talk about 1970s makeup without mentioning the star of the decade: blue eyeshadow. It was everywhere, from the streets to the dancefloor, and in every possible shade—pastel blue, electric blue, metallic blue, and even deep navy.
Why Blue?
Blue eyeshadow became synonymous with 1970s beauty because it was fresh, bold, and futuristic. In the midst of the social revolutions of the '60s, the '70s marked a time when beauty was no longer bound by convention. Blue was both playful and rebellious, allowing women to step outside the safe neutral tones of previous decades. Plus, it complemented the futuristic trends in fashion (think metallic fabrics, jumpsuits, and platform shoes).
Blue eyeshadow wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan trend; it was often worn all over the lid and blended up towards the brow bone, with a heavy layer of black eyeliner to make it pop. It was paired with either soft lips for a more balanced look or bright red lips for those who wanted all eyes on them.
Full Glam: Maximalism Over Minimalism
The 1970s were not the time for subtlety, especially in the makeup department. Full glam ruled, particularly at high-profile events or nights out at the club. This look was all about maximalism: heavy eyeliner, layers of eyeshadow (often in multiple colors), bold blush, glossy lips, and not a single eyelash spared from the mascara wand.
Full glam makeup was designed to make a person stand out. In an era when Studio 54 and other exclusive clubs dominated nightlife, a striking full-glam makeup look could be your ticket to standing out in the crowd. Whether you were a regular at the disco or just embracing the trend from home, the ‘70s full glam was all about confidence and fun.
The Legacy of 1970s Makeup
Though some aspects of 1970s makeup may seem outrageous by today’s standards, they continue to influence beauty trends. The love of bold colors, glitter, and self-expression lives on in modern makeup, and we still see nods to the ‘70s in festival looks, editorial shoots, and even the resurgence of trends like glittery eyeshadow and high-gloss lips.
The 1970s were a time of change, freedom, and creativity, and the makeup reflected that energy. Whether you were dancing under the disco ball or headbanging at a glam rock concert, one thing was for sure: your makeup was going to be as bold and dynamic as the decade itself.
So, the next time you swipe on some blue eyeshadow or add a little extra glitter to your look, you’re channeling a piece of that unforgettable 1970s magic.
The 1970s was a decade of bold self-expression, where fashion and beauty collided in an unforgettable explosion of colors, textures, and vibes. From the high-energy lights of the disco to the free-spirited ethos of glam rock, 1970s makeup was all about making a statement. As we look back, one thing becomes clear: makeup was never just about looking good—it was about creating a mood, an identity, and a look that could own the night. Let’s dive into the key elements that made 1970s retro makeup iconic!
The Disco Fever: Glitter, Gloss, and Glitz
When you think of the ‘70s, disco immediately comes to mind. The makeup of the disco era was designed to shine just as brightly as the lights reflecting off the glitter ball above. Women (and some men!) wore makeup that was bold, dazzling, and ready to party.
Eyes
Disco makeup centered around dramatic, expressive eyes. Shimmering eyeshadow in hues of silver, gold, and (of course) blue became a go-to. Glitter was often used to enhance the eyes, adding a sparkle that caught the light on the dancefloor. And let's not forget the heavy eyeliner! The thick, black liner was applied liberally, both on the upper and lower lash lines, often winged out into exaggerated cat-eye shapes to create a dramatic effect.
Face
When it came to the skin, the look was dewy and glowing. Highlighter wasn’t called “highlighter” yet, but women used shimmery products and glossy finishes to create that "lit from within" look. The idea was to have a luminous complexion that sparkled under the lights, with a focus on blush, typically in soft pinks and peachy tones, placed high on the cheeks to give that sculpted, fresh look.
Lips
Lips were glossy, full, and shiny. Lip gloss in nude or soft pinks was a must, giving the face a youthful, fresh appearance. Glossy lips complemented the glittery, bold eyes, balancing the overall look.
Glam Rock: Edgy, Bold, and Unapologetic
While disco makeup was all about glittery fun, glam rock makeup was about rebellion, individuality, and boldness. Artists like David Bowie (and his alter ego Ziggy Stardust) played with gender, color, and shapes in a way that hadn’t been seen before. Glam rock makeup often crossed traditional gender boundaries, with men and women alike embracing daring styles.
Eyes
Glam rock makeup was an exercise in excess. Think bright colors, like electric blue, neon pink, and deep purples, applied with a heavy hand. Often, eyeshadow extended well beyond the eyelids, blending up towards the eyebrows and even out toward the temples. Thick, graphic eyeliner added even more drama, and false eyelashes or heavily mascaraed lashes completed the look. Glam was all about intensity and edginess.
Face
For the face, glam rock often meant a pale, matte complexion, but with exaggerated contours and blush to carve out sharp cheekbones. Sometimes, blush was applied in unconventional colors like reds or purples, enhancing the otherworldly look that glam rock stars were famous for. The face was a canvas, and makeup was an art form that challenged the status quo.
Lips
In the glam rock world, lips were just as bold as the eyes. Bright reds, purples, or even black lipstick wasn’t uncommon. Lips were drawn slightly outside the natural lip line to make them look fuller, creating a striking contrast against the sharpness of the eyes and face makeup.
The Infamous Blue Eyeshadow
It’s impossible to talk about 1970s makeup without mentioning the star of the decade: blue eyeshadow. It was everywhere, from the streets to the dancefloor, and in every possible shade—pastel blue, electric blue, metallic blue, and even deep navy.
Why Blue?
Blue eyeshadow became synonymous with 1970s beauty because it was fresh, bold, and futuristic. In the midst of the social revolutions of the '60s, the '70s marked a time when beauty was no longer bound by convention. Blue was both playful and rebellious, allowing women to step outside the safe neutral tones of previous decades. Plus, it complemented the futuristic trends in fashion (think metallic fabrics, jumpsuits, and platform shoes).
Blue eyeshadow wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan trend; it was often worn all over the lid and blended up towards the brow bone, with a heavy layer of black eyeliner to make it pop. It was paired with either soft lips for a more balanced look or bright red lips for those who wanted all eyes on them.
Full Glam: Maximalism Over Minimalism
The 1970s were not the time for subtlety, especially in the makeup department. Full glam ruled, particularly at high-profile events or nights out at the club. This look was all about maximalism: heavy eyeliner, layers of eyeshadow (often in multiple colors), bold blush, glossy lips, and not a single eyelash spared from the mascara wand.
Full glam makeup was designed to make a person stand out. In an era when Studio 54 and other exclusive clubs dominated nightlife, a striking full-glam makeup look could be your ticket to standing out in the crowd. Whether you were a regular at the disco or just embracing the trend from home, the ‘70s full glam was all about confidence and fun.
The Legacy of 1970s Makeup
Though some aspects of 1970s makeup may seem outrageous by today’s standards, they continue to influence beauty trends. The love of bold colors, glitter, and self-expression lives on in modern makeup, and we still see nods to the ‘70s in festival looks, editorial shoots, and even the resurgence of trends like glittery eyeshadow and high-gloss lips.
The 1970s were a time of change, freedom, and creativity, and the makeup reflected that energy. Whether you were dancing under the disco ball or headbanging at a glam rock concert, one thing was for sure: your makeup was going to be as bold and dynamic as the decade itself.
So, the next time you swipe on some blue eyeshadow or add a little extra glitter to your look, you’re channeling a piece of that unforgettable 1970s magic.