80s makeup trends: Justice for ’80s makeup is in order. The decade’s extravagant beauty looks, big shoulder pads, and Jazzercise vibes are often relegated to the kitschy category, but the era’s modern comeback is bubbling under the surface thanks to the resurgence of the rom-com, synth-heavy pop music, and the fun-loving party girl (hello, Charli XCX!). Beauty-wise, our current obsession with bold trends like bright blush and vampy lips are nostalgic for the eye-catching beauty that defined the era.
In the past year, bonafide It Girls like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Kaia Gerber have revived signature ’80s beauty trends, particularly in the makeup department.
What goes around comes around, and almost every must-have beauty trend today can be traced back to the more-is-more decade, co-signed by icons like Grace Jones and Brooke Shields.
Ahead discover, 6 ’80s makeup ideas that stand the test of time, and how to wear them today.
Stay with this section of makeup and beauty in the health and beauty section of Eternal Pen magazine.
80s makeup trends
1-Polished Glam
The ’80s often gets flattened into a colorful caricature, but subtle, polished makeup was just as popular as bold lips and bright eyeshadow. The soft, easygoing glam of the decade was characterized by a hydrated lip, a slightly shimmery shadow, and light mascara. Sound familiar? The beauty formula is timeless, but it’s reminiscent of our current penchant for a less is more approach (and our desire to wear no mascara from time to time). Polished glam is versatile, easy to wear for multiple occasions, and has vast modern examples—this one from Laura Harrier is especially chic.
2-Hot Pink Lipstick
80s makeup trends: Fact: Pink was the color of the moment in the ’80s. The shade was co-opted by everyone, and wearing it on the lips could either be a punk statement or a dainty look for the girl next door. From rosy, opaque pinks to sheerer formulas, pink lipstick was a go-to for many. Today, the rise of Barbiecore and other girlhood-inspired trends has put bright pink lips back in the spotlight. Pairing the look with plenty of glow makes it feel fresh for 2024.
3-New Romantics
80s makeup trends: In the ’80s, subcultures took the place of TikTok “cores”, and the New Romantics was one of the most fun when it came to beauty. Influenced by first-wave musicians such as David Bowie, Boy George, and Soft Cell, the aesthetic featured bold, colorful makeup across the eyes, lips, and cheeks, paired with styles that were dramatic and a little grungy. Chapell Roan’s always colorful glam embodies a similar theatrical perspective.
4-Soft Matte Skin
80s makeup trends: The late ’80s saw a shift from its bright neons and vibrant pinks to more subdued looks like vampy lips, smoky eyes, and matte skin. A matte, one-dimensional complexion offered the perfect canvas for subtler details like frosted lips. In 2024, the trend cycle has shifted away from its ultra-glazed donut days. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Kaia Gerber, and Kendall Jenner have all made the case for how soft matte skin can make for a pretty complexion that looks super modern.
5-Vampy Lips
80s makeup trends: Goth lips: You can paint a picture of what this looks in your mind like just from those two words alone. One of Grace Jone’s signatures was dark, nearly black lipstick topped with a glossy red lipstick for a vampy look. Bold lip looks are just as trendy now, but the soft-goth trend, loved by Rihanna and Julia Fox, is a more easygoing take on the edgy look.
6-Fluffy Brows
80s makeup trends: Natural, fluffy brows were the standard in the ’80s before over-plucking and skinny brows took over a decade later. Of course, we had the bold brow moment of the 2010s thanks to Cara Delevingne, and today, creating a full brow is standard in any makeup routine. While what brow you opt for has come down to personal preference (amid a handful of brow trends), embracing un-plucked natural brows that are reminiscent of Brooke Shields’ in the ’80s is more popular than ever.
