Deep Tan. Did you know the first bronzer was released in the 1980s? The idea of replicating a healthy tan in your makeup was still relatively new (this is quite a bronze color on Linda Evangelista) but a gorgeous healthy glow is never out of style—and doesn't necessitate a trip to the beach.
Fuschia, Rose, and wine colored lipsticks were popular, most were frosted. Any blue, purple, or pink eyeshadow will do. I wore a Covergirl quartet eyeshadow set that was more earth toned (frosted gray, rust, lavender, and pink pearl) with Teal eyeliner almost the entire decade. Many wore a Smokey eye for daywear.
Or, you might have actually tried this look, as it was a trend that spanned decades, including the late '70s, most of the '80s, and maybe even into the early '90s.
The first bronzer Claire recalls is Guerlain's Terracotta Bronzing Powder, which came out in 1984. Back then, it was just one shade, though it's now available in six. These days, you can buy bronzer as a liquid, cream, or powder, in virtually any hue, to suit almost any skin tone.
Using a foundation one or two shades lighter than your natural skin colour was one of the first steps to achieving a perfect eighties look. Concealer was used to unify the tone in those areas with imperfections on your face and finish with a thin layer of translucent powder for the best unified looks.
Beauty consisted around the fitness and nutrition craze in the 80s, encouraging athletically toned bodies, bodysuits, and tracksuit bottoms. Supermodel and bodybuilding became a sensation, along with leg warmers and big hair.
JEWELRY STYLES
As the decade opened, the focus in jewelry was on gold and diamonds. Thin gold chains were worn in multiples as bracelets and, in various lengths, as necklaces, often with gold charms and small gem-set pendants.
If you're a makeup pro, you know that bronzers always deserve a spot in your makeup routine. However, you might hesitate to reach for one if you're newer to bronzing. Contouring and adding definition to your complexion takes some practice, but once you're well-versed, you'll hardly ever skip this beauty step.
Should bronzer be lighter or darker than foundation? In order to create a contrast, bronzer should almost always be darker than your foundation. The only exception is if you didn't want to create the illusion of a tan, but did want to make your skin appear healthier and more dewy.
70s Makeup Looks: An Overview
70s eye makeup looks featured long, voluminous lashes on the top and bottom, always adding an extra coat or two of mascara before a night on the dancefloor. 70s makeup embraced beautiful, bronzed skin and irresistible glossy lips while keeping brows bushy and full.
While someone with 2023-esque micro bangs may scream young to us, we associate photos of 80s hairstyles and big shoulder pads with being older, even if the person in the image is the same age as us. This is partly because of how we consider trendy hairstyles and fashion of that time to be outdated.
The mullet is among the 1980s hairstyles that worked for both men and women. If you're going out with a spouse, brother, sister, or cousin, then this is a good style you can both try. The way you style your mullet may depend on the length of your hair.
Forget highlighter—defining your cheeks in the '80s was all about exaggerated blush that matched your eyeshadow.
For lipstick, hot pink and fuschia were among the most popular hues of the decade—the more pigmented, the better. Classic red lipstick also enjoyed a renaissance during the '80s, thanks to some of the era's most popular musicians and tastemakers.
Velour, velvet, and polyester were popular fabrics used in clothes, especially button-up and v shirts. Looser pants remained popular during this time, being fairly wide but straight, and tighter shirts were especially popular, sometimes in a cropped athletic style.
Bronzer is a makeup product used to create a sun-kissed, warm glow on the skin, mimicking the effect of a natural tan. It typically comes in powder, cream, or liquid form and is applied to areas of the face where the sun would naturally hit, such as the cheeks, forehead, nose, and jawline.
The L'Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer is our top pick—it's a super lightweight powder with great shades. The Juvia's Place Bronzed Duo Bronzer is another winning option, which has a cream and powder in one compact, while the Milani Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer is our favorite cream.
Think of your makeup look like a drawing, darlings. With contour, you are sketching and carving out the shapes that you want to create with makeup, and with bronzer you are adding warmth and colour. Use contour to sculpt the look of your face, then go in with bronzer to give your makeup a beautiful, bronzed finish.
Bronzers look best when applied sparingly where the sun would naturally hit you. Use our fluffy Face Powder Brush to apply bronzer on the high points of the face – the forehead, nose, and cheeks.
Experts also suggest opting for a non-shimmer bronzer, as these tend to look more natural on the skin. To find one that's right for you, check out this list of the best bronzers for mature skin from Style Craze.
“You can definitely wear bronzer on its own,” says Spickard. “In the summer, I apply my standard skincare, then go in with a touch of concealer to spot-conceal and then apply bronzer where I naturally tan to get a fresh bronzed look.”
Headbands were a favorite among '80s preps, thanks in part to movies like Heathers and Pretty in Pink. Whether they were padded, braided, or covered in satin, headbands added a polished touch to any outfit. These weren't your basic stretchy bands—they were accessories in their own right.