The 80s was the real start of the athletic beauty. Women were encouraged to be lean, strong, and toned. Things that were celebrated in the 80s include:
The 80s was the era of bright, bold, and big. Both men and women were compelled by the beauty industry, trying to fit the ideal beauty standards. Beauty consisted around the fitness and nutrition craze in the 80s, encouraging athletically toned bodies, bodysuits, and tracksuit bottoms.
"This decadent decade demanded bodies stayed in shape. They were slim but not undernourished. Muscle tone, especially in arms and legs, was particularly important as it helped portray the energetic lifestyle image of the "working woman" of the 1980s. Aerobics was queen.
The decade, characterized by eye-straining fabric colors and patterns, acid wash jeans, shoulder pads, massive, dramatic earrings, pearls, and big hair, had people confidently expressing themselves with their Style. Big, vibrant, and brilliant certainly capture the essence of 1980s fashion.
Moles and beauty marks were a famous trend from the 80s. Think of Madonna and other celebs who seemed to have beauty marks on their face throughout this decade. More often than not, they used black liner or something to that effect to create it. Similar to how people give themselves freckles with makeup products now.
80s makeup is famous for its liberal use of blush and the high placement that was popular throughout the decade. Hot pinks and reds took over the cheeks and you could never apply too much, darlings.
Though cosmetics were used discreetly by many women, makeup in Western cultures during this time was generally frowned upon, particularly during the 1870s, when Western social etiquette increased in rigidity.
If you want to look glam rock in the '80s, think of tight clothing, sequins, and many glitters. Women can rock a glitzy dress with bold accessories, while men can opt for a tight t-shirt and bold high-waisted trousers. Expect to be the center of attention in this costume!
Still, the ideal figure was very thin. The average woman's BMI was around 25, while Cindy Crawford's was said to be 19. In fact, the BMIs of several eighties supermodels ranged from just 17 to 20.
The 1980's woman was a fresh faced "all american girl" with a wholesome figure. The aerobics obsession of the 80's continued to emphasize fitness for women, and the female body was expected to maintain a certain weight, but still appear toned, all without being too muscular.
From 1959 to 1978 there was a remarkable shift towards a thinner ideal in the fashion industry: models represented in big magazines as Vogue, Ladies Home Journal and Woman's Day decreased significantly in weight.
Kelly Brook was identified as having a scientifically "perfect" body according to studies from the University of Texas. Her body measurements closely match what researchers considered ideal: a BMI of 18.5, with measurements of 93-61-87 cm (bust-waist-hips)
America has a culturally accepted norm of what makes someone beautiful. A standard that is hard to meet. Being light-skinned, blonde and blue-eyed is the benchmark of beauty, of what is most desirable.
The new feminine ideal of the 1980s was taken from the supermodels of the era. Tall, slim, and long legs became the “perfect” female body. This was also the beginning of fitness crazes, like jogging and aerobics, so for the first time, the body trend included women having muscles and being strong, fit, and toned.
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.
Alongside the idealisation of the waif body type in the 90s, this resulted in an unhealthy and unattainable beauty standard for women and young girls.
The 1980s was a decade of excess, and fashion was no exception. Women's 80s fashion was characterized by bold colors, oversized silhouettes, and a fearless attitude towards mixing patterns and textures. It was a time when bigger was better, and subtlety took a back seat to statement-making ensembles.
1980s makeup elements
Foundation was applied in layers and was typically two shades lighter than the natural skin tone (like Madonna's look from the 1987 AMAs). Blush was a must in the '80s, applied in bright pinks and deep plums at an angle from the hollow of the cheek to the temple.
Historically, makeup was never something associated with gender in the first place. In Ancient Egypt, for example, the use of eyeliner and other cosmetics was a sign of wealth—usually one that men donned to signal their status to passerby's and strangers.
The Victorian Age occurred between 1837 and 1901. It was an austere and restrictive period. Makeup and showy clothes were discouraged.