70s Makeup Trends -

The 70s were known for many things, including some of the most incredible makeup trends. We even know and love some of them today, like cut-crease eyeshadow. That one technique always stays in style. Here are some of the coolest 70s makeup trends that the era was known for. Some of them we love, and some we’re glad to have been gone for years.

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Natural Skin

Natural, glowing skin with a summery, sun-kissed look was one of the most popular trends throughout the 70s. People ditched heavy face makeup, such as foundation, in favor of home remedies and sheer options to look more natural. To achieve this look now, pick up some BB Cream.

We’ve seen this trend in various forms since it gained popularity in the 1970s. People often refer to it as minimal makeup, minimalist makeup, or declare those days “no-makeup” makeup days. Sheer coverage foundation and foundation drops are also great ways to pull off the look.

Blush, Blush, Blush

Blush was a massive thing in the 70s. People who wanted a more natural look usually enjoyed a quick swipe of blush across their cheekbones for a flushed appearance. Those who went all out with makeup invested in more pigmented blush to give their cheekbones a massive splash of color. For a toned-down look, invest in a cheek tint, which instantly appears more natural.

We see this amazing trend making a comeback with the blush blindness trend of 2024. However, it didn’t completely stop in 2024, although it did slow down. Today, we still see way too much blush on occasion, and it’s on purpose.

Bombshell Lashes

Long lashes are one of the 70s makeup trends we still love. You could pair them with a more natural look to give your eyes instant appeal or with heavier makeup looks. Mascara was a huge hit. Today, everyone who loves a bold look or long lashes knows how to put on falsies to nail this 70s makeup trend.

Natural Brows

Bushy brows were everywhere in the 70s. Models often donned more natural brows that were filled in. Some people had manicured yet natural brows. The days of thin eyebrows and the overtweezed look didn’t show up until much later.

Frosted Lips

Most people associate the 90s with iced eyeshadow and frosted lips, but frosted lips actually made their first appearance in the world of fashion in the 1970s. Lip products were packed with plenty of shimmer to ensure anyone could rock the frosted look.

Some people preferred a subdued look, but there was ample lip gloss available for those who wanted it. Lip gloss in shades of nude and light pink with a touch of shimmer was in the spotlight for several years. Bold colors, such as red, were also available, but weren’t as popular among those who loved a nude lip.

Heavy Eye Makeup

Makeup took on a heavier appearance during specific points of this decade, too. It wasn’t all about barely-there makeup. Smudged-out eyeshadow and dark eyeliner were staples in the 70s. Smokey-eyed looks of the 70s paved the way for grunge looks we would all fall in love with later.

This look never went out of style. It became the rock look of the 80s. In the 90s, it was known as grunge or smoky eyes. In 2025, it’s referred to as 90s grunge. Really, the spirit of the 70s never left the makeup world; it’s just going by a different name.

Disco Style Glitter

The disco era was all about glitter and glamour. You could find anything you wanted shining with sequins, and there were plenty of makeup products offering the shimmer you needed to head to the local disco. Metallic makeup, glitter makeup, and lip gloss were massive hits.

Today, glitter is another great way to express your personal style. Brands like Unicorn Snot are well-known for having all the glitter makeup you could ever want. You’ll discover metallic eyeshadows. Body glitter is still a hit. Some circles have replaced glitter with highlighter, but the shimmering glam is still a huge hit.