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This article was co-authored by Arthur Sebastian and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing.
There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 873,094 times.
Big hair. Bright eyeshadow. Tons of blush. Hair and makeup in the 80s were bold and over the top in the best way possible! To help you create your 80s-inspired look, we've put together a list of the best hair and makeup tips we could find. We'll start by walking you through an 80s makeup routine and finish up with a variety of awesome hairstyles you can choose from.
Here are 13 makeup tips to help you get that perfect 80s look.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 13:Apply full coverage foundation all over your face.
Method 1
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1Use liquid foundation that matches your skin tone for a flawless base. In the 80s, the trend for skin was a velvety, flawless look that wasn't too matte or too glowy. Use a foundation brush or makeup sponge to buff your favorite full coverage foundation all over your face.[1]
- For a smooth, pore-less look, apply primer before your foundation.
- Apply full coverage concealer under your eyes to cover dark circles. For a brightening effect, use concealer that’s 1 shade lighter than your natural skin tone.[2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 13:Add bright pink blush to your cheeks.
Method 2
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1Bright pink blush was the standard for most 80s looks. Start high on your cheekbone and sweep the color along the bone and up, all the way to your temple. Once you hit your temple, use circular motions to blend the blush out toward your hairline.
- If it’s easier, start applying blush at your temple and brush it down along your cheekbone in a “C” shape.[3]
Method 3
Method 3 of 13:Get a glam rock look with bold blue eyeshadow.
Method 3
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1Try vibrant blue or bright pink eye makeup for high drama. Use the most pigmented eyeshadow you can find! Cover your entire eyelid with medium blue or pink and blend it up to your brows. Brush the color under your eyes to define the lower lashes. Then, sweep a darker version of the original shade in your crease and on the outer third of your eyelid, blending out to your temples. Finish with bold pink lipstick.[4]
- For a Blondie vibe, try mauve or dark pink eyeshadow. Her cheeks and eyes often matched, so you use your blush as eyeshadow! Finish with matte or frosted pink lipstick.
- For more glam rock inspiration, check out images of Grace Jones and glam metal bands like Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, or KISS.
- For super sharp, angled cheeks, contour your cheeks with bronzer before adding blush on top.[5]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 13:Use bright eyeshadow for an 80s pop star vibe.
Method 4
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1Mimic 80s pop icons with neon eye makeup and bright red lipstick. Bright orange, yellow, and neon are all great eyeshadow choices, especially if your inspiration is Cyndi Lauper. Use bright orange all over your lids and bright yellow right under your brow bones to make your eyes pop. Pop stars like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper usually rocked a bold red lip.[6]
- For more 80s pop icon inspiration, check out images of pop stars like Pat Benatar and Boy George.
Method 5
Method 5 of 13:Stick with neutrals for a Molly Ringwald-inspired look.
Method 5
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1Use brown eye makeup and finish with a reddish orange or nude lip. To create Molly's look in The Breakfast Club, apply a medium brown eyeshadow on your lids and line your upper and lower lash lines with dark brown eyeliner. Finish the look with nude lipstick, like soft brown or natural rose, for a lowkey look.[7] To amp up the glamour a bit, use a classic red or burnt orange lipstick instead.[8]
- Molly often sported glossy lips, so finish with a swipe of gloss over the lipstick.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 13:Pick dark eyeshadow for a goth or punk vibe.
Method 6
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1Go with black, midnight blue, or deep purple eye makeup. Cover your lid in deep blue or a dark iridescent purple shade. Then, work a dark plum or indigo into your crease. Finally, define your crease even more with a gray or charcoal eyeshadow to create that a punk or gothic vibe.[9]
- For lipstick, try a deep burgundy, purple, or black shade. A super deep brown would work great.[10]
- For more inspiration, check out pictures of 80s icons like Siouxsie Sioux and Nina Hagen.
- If you're a guy, check out images of Robert Smith of The Cure for inspiration. He often wore dark eye makeup and messy red lipstick.
Method 7
Method 7 of 13:Finish with black mascara and bold eyeliner.
Method 7
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1Use any dark or bold eyeliner pencil in your lower water line. Black would be completely on point for any 80s look, but you can also use an eyeliner pencil that matches your eyeshadow to make the color even more dramatic.[11] Add 2 coats of mascara to finish your 80s eye makeup look.[12]
- Blue and teal were especially popular eyeliner colors on the lower lash line, especially for glam and pop star looks.
- If you want a bright, wild look, try purple, green, or blue mascara.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 13:Define your eyebrows with brow pencil.
Method 8
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180s brows were usually dark, defined, and a little bushy. Pick a brow pencil that’s a shade darker than your natural brow. Using light, feathery strokes, fill in and define each eyebrow with your brow pencil for iconic 80s brows.[13]
- Use a spoolie to comb through each brow and blend any harsh lines.
- You can also use brow powder or even eyeshadow for your brows—whatever you have on hand will work.
Method 9
Method 9 of 13:Crimp your hair for the ultimate mall vibe.
Method 9
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1Dry your hair completely before you get started. Clip most of your hair up on top of your head except the bottom layer. Grab a 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) section of hair, slide it between the crimp plates close to your roots, and press down for 5 seconds. Release the hair, move down to the next section, and crimp again. Crimp each section top to bottom, then tease your hair gently and lock the style in place with hairspray.[14]
- You can still buy crimpers online and at big box stores.
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Method 10
Method 10 of 13:Dry curly hair with a diffuser for lots of volume.
Method 10
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1Start with towel-dried damp hair and apply hair gel. Use about a quarter-sized amount of hair gel and spread it all over your hair from root to tip. Fit your hair dryer with a diffuser, flip your head over, and gently scrunch your hair as you diffuse it. Once your hair is dry, flip your head back over and set your look with hairspray.[15]
Method 11
Method 11 of 13:Curl your hair into ringlets to mimic an 80s perm.
Method 11
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1Use a 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) curling wand to get super tight curls. Dry your hair completely and brush it out. Starting in the front, grab a 1 in (2.5 cm) section of hair and wrap it tightly around the curling wand. Wait for 3-4 seconds and release the curl. Move to the next 1 in (2.5 cm) section and repeat. Continue making tight ringlets all over your head. Give your hair a little tease and set it with hairspray.[16]
- To minimize damage from teasing your hair, work a volumizing product into your hair first, like sea salt spray or dry shampoo. That way you won't have to tease your hair as much.[17]
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Method 12
Method 12 of 13:Tease short hair for tons of volume and height.
Method 12
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1If you have short hair, try this super easy goth/punk-inspired look! Use a comb or pick to backcomb (tease) your hair. Work with small sections of hair at a time, starting at the roots and working your way down to the ends until you achieve plenty of volume. Generously apply hairspray after you finish each section and give your head an all-over misting of hairspray at the very end.[18]
Method 13
Method 13 of 13:Try a high ponytail for a simple look.
Method 13
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1This is a cute, simple look for both straight or curly hair. You can also combine this with crimped or curled hair. Gather all of your hair on top of your head either in the center or off to the side a little. Wrap a hair elastic around your hair to hold it in place. Then, wrap a scrunchie around the base to hide the elastic, tease your ponytail, and set it with hairspray.[19]
- Add a flashy headband to kick this look up a notch.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIt is ok if I have very short hair?
wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerOf course! If you have enough to tease, just tease your hair with a comb or pick to create lots of volume. Then, apply plenty of hairspray to keep the style in place all day. -
QuestionDo you have to curl your hair?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerNope! You can pull it up in a high ponytail for a simple solution. If you have shorter hair, tease it to create a ton of height and volume, then lock the look in place with a generous amount of hairspray. -
QuestionCan I use different shades of eye shadow?
Community AnswerYes, but make stick to neon or light colors to give it more of an 80s look. -
QuestionWhat do I use if I don't have any blue eye shadow?Community AnswerUse pinks, purples, oranges - any color of the rainbow works. Don't use black, browns, grays or any other neutral eye shadow.
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QuestionHow can I do 80's Madonna hair with very thin, frizzy hair? I can't just leave it down or it will look awful! A ponytail doesn't work either.
Community AnswerIf leaving your hair out doesn’t help and neither does a ponytail, do a half-up, half-down teased style with a scrunchie. -
QuestionShould I go for a light red lipstick or go with a bold color?
Community AnswerThe 80s were a very experimental time for makeup, so you can do what you like. Bright colors were very popular, though. -
QuestionI have sort of long hair. How do I make it look like the 80s?Community AnswerTry teasing it with a short tooth comb and don't brush it back down. Add a giant bow instead of a headband. Go for the "big hair" look.
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QuestionWhere can I buy/get beauty products to get my hair and makeup like 80s style?Community AnswerYou can buy beauty products and hair accessories at any store that sell makeup such as; K-Mart, Target, or any other store, but you need to make sure its brightly colored and big bows or scrunchies.
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QuestionI don't think I have a crimping iron and I'm short on time. What can I do?
Sarah.JohnsonCommunity AnswerYou can try putting your hair in small braids and running a flat iron over them a few times. If this doesn't work or you don't have time, put it in a high side ponytail. -
QuestionMy hair is long and heavy, no fringe, I wear glasses and my forehead is too round from the side view. Can I do something with it?Community AnswerTry bangs to cover up your high forehead, try contacts, and try braiding.
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxBhbfUDGmI&t=85s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxBhbfUDGmI&t=164s
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/beauty-fashion/makeup/blush-contouring/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8oHK6t6m34&t=468s
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/beauty-fashion/makeup/blush-contouring/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/g28008781/best-80s-makeup-looks/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ2JnWly224
- ↑ http://www.trespassmag.com/recreating-the-80s-look-molly-ringwald/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCVXsW1BsG8&t=75s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ2eeaBM6mA&t=207s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8oHK6t6m34&t=643s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxBhbfUDGmI&t=676s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8oHK6t6m34&t=330s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82WllQgkqIQ&t=51s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdIx2nSGLjk&t=288s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__I4ZYweiw8&t=188s
- ↑ Arthur Sebastian. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sm0KfCj_Vw&t=50s
- ↑ https://www.twistmepretty.com/80s-hair-makeup-tutorial/
- Videos provided by Katie Legate
About This Article
Licensed Cosmetologist
This article was co-authored by Arthur Sebastian and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing. This article has been viewed 873,094 times.
Co-authors: 74
Updated: August 20, 2021
Views: 873,094
Categories: Vintage Hairstyles | Makeup Styles
Article SummaryX
If you want to do 80's-style makeup and hair, start by applying your usual foundation, and then add bright blush to the hollows of your cheeks. Then, apply a bright, shimmery eye shadow shade on your eyelid, with a lighter color along your brow bone, making it the focus of your look. Stick to colors like cobalt blue, hot pink, neon orange, and purple, which were popular in the 80's. Apply eyeliner, mascara, and bright lipstick to finish off the makeup. For your hair, pull it back in a high ponytail with a scrunchy, or leave it wavy to complete the look! For tips on styling your hair other ways and picking makeup colors, read on!
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