If there’s one decade everyone remembers or thinks of, it’s the Swinging Sixties. This decade was an era of transformation, and we see that through the gorgeous makeup and beauty trends of the decade. Here are some of the coolest 60s makeup trends that we still love today.
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The 60s Vibe
The 1960s was marked by upheaval, including political and social. It was the era of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. There was the Moon Landing and JFK Assassination. This same era saw dramatic change in the world of fashion and makeup.
Previous conservative styles slowly faded into the background as people began to experiment with makeup. There was the “Swinging Longdon” period followed by the love of mini-skirts. As the decade progressed, people became familiar with the free-flowing fabrics that hippies were known for and makeup styles that expressed individuality, ranging from minimalist looks to bold and bright ones.
Natural Makeup Looks
The early years of this decade are well-known for the natural-looking makeup that women wore. It was a clear contrast from some of the bold looks of the 50s, making it more enticing. Neutral eyeshadows replaced dark makeup, and natural lips were seen everywhere. Pink, peach, and coral were the most popular lip shades. If you wanted something extra, lip gloss was used for more shine.
Mid-60s Makeup Trends
The mid-60s brought about a revolution of change for the makeup world. It was during this time that we first began to see looks that resembled a cat, such as winged eyeliner. Dark, bold eyeliner replaced natural looks that didn’t require eyeliner.
Pale lips were still seen, but we started to see brighter and bolder colors in the scene. Playful eyeshadows in vibrant and pastel shades were seen, paving the way for the artistic makeup trends of the late 1960s.
Bold Eye Makeup
Bold eye makeup was everywhere throughout the ’60s. It often went beyond winged eyeliner. More eyeshadow colors were seen, such as purple, blue, and green. Wearing eyeshadow in a rounded shape about the lid was popular. False eyelashes were in style. Heavy eye makeup became a personal statement.
Makeup Art and Flower Power
The last years of the ’60s saw several more ’60s Makeup trends that we love today. This era saw two trends at the same time. The natural, no-makeup look was at the forefront among hippies, who sought to emphasize the natural.
However, they did enjoy things like artistic makeup looks and body paint. Creative makeup looks became known throughout the beauty industry of the time, paving the way for how we use makeup as a form of self-expression today.
Matte Face Makeup Trends
There are several face makeup trends that many people use today. It was expected to avoid face makeup, such as bronzer, and no contour was used. Blush never really caught on in the ’60s, either. Instead, you would see a more natural appearance. Foundation was common, but it was frequently found in a matte formula. This is one of the ’60s makeup trends we still love today.
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Going Against The Grain
The ’60s were about advocating for change and what you believed in. Many saw this as a pivotal moment in history when people began to enjoy who they were instead of who society was saying they had to be. Many jurisdictions still required women to wear dresses to school, but it wasn’t long before that would change.
This brought about one makeup trend after another. It wasn’t about looking pretty all the time. Sometimes, it wasn’t even about being stylish. Instead, people were having fun. They were using makeup to be artistic, rebellious, or simply wearing what made them feel great. This was the beginning of an expressive era that never truly ended. We may not realize it, but we still have a lot of the ’60s in us today.
’60s Makeup Trends
The 60s were a time for change. We witnessed natural makeup trends emerge and fade throughout the decade. However, there are still some trends that we know and love today, like winged eyeliner, matte face makeup, and artistic makeup looks. People still enjoy using makeup to express themselves. Check out the rest of the site for more fascinating facts!
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