These ’80s-Inspired Makeup Ideas Will Keep You in the Colorful Spirit

The Best ’80s-Inspired Makeup Looks

1. Bright Pink Eyeshadow

This one is so simple! Eye makeup in the ’80s didn’t rely on the contouring and shadowing of the looks we see today. One simple swipe of pigmented shadow was enough to get the job done. Bright shades were all the rage—and hot pink especially. You just wouldn’t leave home without it.

2. Futuristic Fun

From David Bowie to Boy George, futuristic looks are vibrant and bold, mixing colors, textures, and lines. Think statement lips, strong, colorful contour, and graphic eye looks. If you’re not a full-blown artist, start simple with something like the look pictured. The NATASHA DENONA Bronze Eyeshadow Palette has all the shades necessary to nail this look. Additionally, grab a light foundation, a light wash of pink blush, and a deep, black cherry red lip like the KEVYN AUCOIN Velvet Lip Paint in Striking.  

3. Smudged Black Eyeliner

Black eyeliner added oomph to so many looks of the ’80s. It really tied together the bright eyeshadow on the eye. You can opt for what appears to be an eyeliner pen here, or you can get a smudgy kohl liner to lean more into the smokiness. We’re big fans of the FENTY BEAUTY Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner, which you can smudge out with the REALHER Determine To Rise Vegan Brush Smudger.

4. Pretty in Pink Lips

Christie Brinkley is a total ’80s icon, so it comes as no surprise that her bold pink lip is serving up serious inspo. If you prefer neutrals and aren’t ready to embrace some of the bold looks of the decade, this is a good gateway trend to try if you want to embrace ’80s beauty. While Christie rocked her pink fuschia lip with a smoky eye, you can also take the look totally ’80s and pair the trend with another popular ’80s look: blue eyeshadow. “I love pairing a blue eye look with a pink cheek or lip,” says Kassajikian. If you’re looking for a pretty pink gloss, try the [LINK] or the [LINK] and check out our roundup on pink lipstick here.

5. Pink and Purple Only

Debbie Harry was doing the “blush on your eyes” look long before TikTok ever made it a trend decades later. “I love color, so I’m really excited that colorful eyeshadow is trending again,” says Kassajikian. Debbie let the bold hues speak volumes, and if you want to recreate the look, Kassajikian recommends applying “a fun shade like purple all over the lid paired with some mascara for a simple yet bold look.” We love the ACE BEAUTÉ Whimsical Bloom Eyeshadow Palette because it has a slew of pink and purple hues to choose from. Whether you want a shimmer shade or a flat matte pigment, this eyeshadow palette has you covered.

6. Blushing Beauty

Forget highlighter—defining your cheeks in the ’80s was all about exaggerated blush that matched your eyeshadow. This bold ’80s makeup trend (which is also known as draping) was seen on everyone from Debbie Harry to Madonna to Iman. If you want to try it out, simply “apply your blush a little higher starting on the cheekbones and blend back to your hairline,” says Kassajikian. Opt for a pink shade, like KOSAS Blush Is Life in Baby Pink. To avoid streaks, Kassajikian recommends following this pro tip: “Build the color as you go for more of an even blend in a patting motion to avoid harsh lines.”

7. The Bold and the Beautiful Brows

Bold eyes and bold brows defined the ’80s, and ever since Brooke Shields and Cindy Crawford launched the trend in the ’80s, there have been different iterations of this look. If you spent years overplucking your eyebrows, it might be tough to pull off this look, but an eyebrow pencil, brow gel, and a brush can make a major difference. Let Brooke Shields’ iconic brows serve up inspo and stock up on the basics. Knowing how to apply brow gel correctly can make all the difference in keeping your brows bold and bushy. We have an amazing tutorial HERE. 

8. Statement Shadow

Wearing colorful eyeshadow that extends from your lash line all the way up to to your eyebrow defined the ’80s, and we love pretty much all of Cher’s makeup looks from the ’70s and ’80s. If you want to try this look at home, it’s best to stick to bright eyeshadow colors. “Use lighter/brighter shades and gradually blend out for this,” says Kassajikian, who recommends staying away from moody colors. “Anything too dark or smoky will make the eyes look heavy/smaller,” says Kassajikian. 

9. Electric Blue Eyeliner

Blue ruled the ’80s, and this electric eyeliner trend is no different. The beauty of sporting this shade is that it works on practically everyone regardless of your complexion and hair color. “A blue liner will look great on all skin tones and eye colors, it enhances colored eyes and brightens brown eyes,” says Kassajikian. Take a cue from Princess Diana and add a burst of blue eyeliner to your waterlines for a pop of color, like the URBAN DECAY 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Roxy, which is a metallic, bright blue. “Use color as more of a pop rather than all over,” Kassajikian says, for those who prefer more minimal looks. 

10. Pops of Neon

Neon colors dominated ’80s fashion in addition to making major waves in the beauty space, with vibrant colors popping up on lips and eyes. Take a cue from Boy George and rock a neon stripe of pink shadow with a bright metallic pink lip. The combo might sound intimidating at first, but he definitely rocked it. While you can even incorporate multiple colors into your look to create an ’80s dream eye, sticking with one shade is a more modern take on the ’80s trend. 

11. Colored Mascara

How much color is too much color? If we’re talking ’80s glam, the limit does not exist—and that’s exactly where colorful mascara comes in. Cyndi Lauper was iconic not only for her impeccable fashion sense, but for the way she played with makeup, like the bold choice to wear an orange smoky eye with purple mascara (not to mention a glossy red lip to top it all off!). The pop of color was totally captivating.

12. Ready to Rock

Want to look like a rockstar? Look no further than this winning ’80s combo. Pink smoky eyes and pink lips were the go-to of the decade for glam rock goddesses, and Cher was one of the OGs rocking this trend, right down to her spiked purple mullet to match. To recreate the look at home, pair a smoky eye with a matching pink lip. 

13. Metallic Lips

Metallic lips come in all colors, but there’s something about Jane Seymour’s metallic fuchsia lip that makes this trend seem so attainable and cool. “Line your lips for precision before applying the metallic lipstick, and keep the eye makeup minimal to allow the lip to be the focus,” says Kassajikian. After you apply your lip liner, reach for a liquid lip. 

Your ’80s Makeup FAQs Answered!

If you don’t have all the answers to the ’80s, that’s okay. We’re here to offer up some insight so you can nail your next vintage makeup style. 

1. What were the most popular ’80s makeup colors?

Think about the muted hues that are popular now, and lean into the opposite. The ’80s were dominated by bold, sharp shades. Think bright baby blue, hot pink, and neon. Basically, you can take any of your current favorite colors and amplify them with something deep and pigmented. 

2. How can I modernize ’80s makeup for everyday wear?

We’re not going to pretend that bold shapes and bright blue blush is the norm for everyday wear (except maybe for Halloween!), but if you want to lean into that ’80s energy, you can always pick one facet. For example, you can do neutral eyes and a fun metallic lip, or bright pink eyeshadow with a clear gloss. 

3. Do all ’80s makeup looks require expert skill?

If you’re going to go all out with a truly defined “look” (a la Boy George or Cyndi Lauper) then you may want to enlist the help of a pro or catch a YouTube tutorial. But for the most part, there’s no one way to do ’80s makeup. Whether it’s in the form of a bright eyeshadow or an electric eyeliner, there’s an achievable ’80s look for every skill level. One scroll through TikTok and you should find all the inspo you need.

Final Thoughts

Makeup inspired by the ’80s is supposed to be fun, playful, and without limits. Unlike the perfection enforced in today’s popular makeup trends, there’s really no right or wrong way to do the ’80s. The only rule? More is more. The greater the expression, the better. So grab those shades you may have tossed to the side, and have fun embracing the decade of decadence.