The 80’s was a time for crimped hair, street dance battles, and MTV. It’s one of the most colorful decades I can think of. The music still jams today thanks to nods from artists like Brumo Mars and Ella Mai. But the makeup has to be one of the most memorable attributes of the 80’s.
The 80’s was especially great for special effects makeup. The list of examples of perfect practical effects is long and wide. It was this decade that got me interested in makeup effects to begin with.
While making monsters is fun and fulfilling, I wanted us to stretch our wings a little bit with something a little less obvious. Slapping blood over a look is just too easy. No, I wanted to create an authentic 80’s makeup while incorporating special effects.
What makes an 80’s makeup?
The short answer: Colors. You simply cannot have an 80’s makeup without a ton of color. You may look back on some 80’s makeup looks and find the makeup was very much costumish (I just made that word up…he…he), or clownish.
There is definitely a reason to understand color theory in makeup, but the 80’s makeup looks I’ve seen sort of throw the rules out the window. In my research, I found there are a few musts in 80’s makeup.
Bright, Big Blush
The blush is not applied like we’re taught in today’s beauty makeup, on the apples of the cheeks. Instead, blush is applied in sweeps from the temple to the jaw bone. Check out the video below for more on how to apply blush.
Blue Eyeshadow
While a rainbow of colors on the eyes is an 80’s norm, electric blue eyeshadow is a must-have. Bright blue lids are associated with the 80’s as is bringing shadow all the way up to your eyebrows.
Colored Eyeliner
Black eyeliner was common. Lots of eyeliner in fact. But, colored liner was definitely in. Often times eyeshadow was used on the lash line below bold, black eyeliner creating an even brighter eye.
Pinterest Inspiration
Check out my 80’s makeup Pinterest board for more inspiration on this look. You’ll find some really good examples of colorful looks.
Tutorials
This first one was my favorite of the 80’s makeup tutorials. She includes some good insight on authentic 80’s makeup.
For guys, an 80’s rocker wore heavy makeup around the eyes as demonstrated in this next video.
This next tutorial isn’t 80’s makeup specific, but it includes some great tips on making your shadow colors super vibrant.
BONUS
If you subscribe to NME Box, our monthly makeup effects subscription box, you got a bottle of black liquid latex body paint. This product is used to create latex clothing over the body and is the perfect addition to creating an 80’s rocker makeup. Here are some tutorials on how to use latex body paint.
Recommended Products
Here are a few of the products that can get you started creating an 80’s makeup look. These are products I’ve used, and you’ll see some of these products in the “80’s Rock” makeup effects subscription box.