15 Bold 80s Makeup Looks

The 1980s, a decade synonymous with unapologetic self-expression and larger-than-life style, continues to captivate fashion and beauty enthusiasts. From big hair to even bigger shoulder pads, everything about the 80s was designed to make a statement. And nowhere was this more evident than in the era’s iconic makeup trends. Think electric hues, dramatic lines, and a healthy dose of glitter – it was a time when subtlety took a backseat to audacious glamour.

Today, the allure of 80s makeup is stronger than ever, inspiring runway shows, red carpet looks, and everyday fashionistas seeking a touch of retro flair. Whether you’re aiming for a full-blown Madonna transformation or just a subtle nod to the decade’s vibrant energy, understanding the core elements of 80s beauty is key. This guide will take you through 15 bold makeup looks that defined the era, offering practical tips to recreate them with a modern twist. Get ready to embrace color, confidence, and a whole lot of fun!

The Neon Pop Eyes

One of the most defining characteristics of 80s makeup was the fearless use of neon colors. This look centers entirely around electrifying eyes that demand attention. Think eyeshadows in shades of shocking pink, electric blue, lime green, and vivid purple, often applied in unexpected combinations.

Color Suggestions: Combine a bright neon pink on the inner half of the lid with an electric blue on the outer half, blending them dramatically upwards towards the brow bone and temple.
Styling Tips: Pair with a simple black or white outfit to let the eyes truly pop. Hair should be big and voluminous – a teased side pony or a high crimped style. Accessorize with chunky geometric earrings or a wide plastic bangle bracelet to complete the retro vibe.

Power Suit Glam

The 80s was the era of the power suit, and makeup evolved to match this formidable aesthetic. This look embodies confidence and authority, featuring sharp lines and strong colors that convey an unshakeable presence. It’s about looking polished, commanding, and undeniably chic.

Color Suggestions: A crisp, matte red or fuchsia lipstick is essential. Eyes can have a subtle wash of metallic gold or silver eyeshadow, with a sharp black winged liner. Defined, strong brows are crucial.
Styling Tips: This look is perfectly complemented by tailored blazers with shoulder pads, pencil skirts, or wide-leg trousers. High heels and minimal, elegant gold jewelry (like a chunky chain necklace or statement watch) complete the executive-chic ensemble. Hair should be slicked back into a high pony or a sophisticated chignon.

New Wave Rebel

Inspired by the underground music scene, New Wave makeup was all about breaking free from conventional beauty standards. It was darker, edgier, and often had an artistic, slightly rebellious feel. This look embraces individuality and a hint of punk rock attitude.

Color Suggestions: Heavy black kohl eyeliner, often smudged or applied graphically, is the star. Eyeshadows lean towards grays, deep blues, or purples. Lips can be a deep berry, wine, or even black.
Styling Tips: Think ripped fishnet stockings, band t-shirts, leather jackets, and distressed denim. Hair is often short, spiky, or dramatically asymmetrical. Accessories include studded belts, safety pin jewelry, and chunky combat boots.

Aerobics Queen Glow

The fitness craze of the 80s brought with it a distinct makeup style that emphasized a healthy, energized glow. This look is about vibrant cheek color and a fresh, active appearance, perfect for a high-energy aesthetic.

Color Suggestions: The most crucial element is bright, often frosted, blush draped from the temples down to the apples of the cheeks. Think hot pink, coral, or deep rose. Eyes are kept relatively simple with mascara and perhaps a touch of pastel shadow. Lips are glossy and sheer.
Styling Tips: Pair with colorful leotards, leg warmers, headbands, and high-top sneakers. Hair should be voluminous and pulled back, perhaps with a scrunchie. This look is all about vibrant activewear and a joyful, energetic vibe.

Disco Diva Revival

While disco peaked in the late 70s, its shimmering influence carried well into the early 80s, especially for evening wear. This look is about maximum sparkle, glamour, and an undeniable party spirit, perfect for a night out.

Color Suggestions: Glitter and shimmer are paramount. Apply iridescent or metallic eyeshadows in silver, gold, or vibrant jewel tones all over the lid and up to the brow bone. Add a strong winged eyeliner and multiple coats of mascara. Lips are typically frosted pink or a bright, shimmery red.
Styling Tips: Think sequined dresses, lamé tops, high-waisted wide-leg pants, and killer heels. Hair should be big, bouncy, and ready to hit the dance floor. Accessorize with oversized hoop earrings and stackable bracelets.

Pastel Punch Eyes

Not all 80s color was neon; pastels also had their moment, but with a punch. This look uses soft hues in a bold, expansive way, creating a dreamy yet undeniably eye-catching effect. It’s softer than neon but equally impactful.

Color Suggestions: Use matte or slightly shimmery pastel shades like lavender, mint green, baby blue, or pale peach. Apply one color across the entire lid and blend another contrasting pastel just above the crease, extending towards the outer brow. Keep the lines clean but the application generous.
Styling Tips: This look pairs beautifully with softer fabrics and silhouettes like oversized sweaters, high-waisted jeans, or flowy midi skirts. Think lighter denim washes or candy-colored separates. Hair can be softly permed or worn in loose waves. Delicate pastel accessories complete the look.

Miami Vice Eyes

Inspired by the iconic TV show, this look embodies the sultry, tropical-glam aesthetic of 80s Miami. It’s about vibrant, often blended, eye colors that evoke sunsets and neon cityscapes, with a hint of rebellious cool.

Color Suggestions: Bold combinations like teal and fuchsia, or turquoise and orange. Apply the darker color (e.g., teal) on the outer half of the lid and blend the lighter, brighter color (e.g., fuchsia) towards the inner corner, extending the blend outwards into a subtle wing shape. Heavy mascara is a must.
Styling Tips: Think linen suits (often in pastel colors), oversized blazers, silk camisoles, and flowing trousers. Hair should be a bit windswept or effortlessly voluminous. Gold chain necklaces and statement sunglasses complete this sophisticated yet edgy vibe.

Dramatic Draping Blush

The 80s took blush to a whole new level, transforming it from a subtle flush to a dramatic contouring and sculpting tool. ‘Draping’ involved applying blush high on the cheekbones, often sweeping it up towards the temples and sometimes even into the eye area, creating a highly defined facial structure.

Color Suggestions: Deep fuchsia, bright coral, or berry shades work best. Choose a shade that stands out against your skin tone.
Styling Tips: This look complements a variety of 80s styles, from power suits to more casual denim. The key is to let the sculpted cheekbones be a focal point. Keep eye makeup relatively understated with just mascara or a thin liner to avoid overcrowding the face. Hair often worn pulled back or off the face to showcase the dramatic blush.

Frosted Lip Siren

The frosted lip was an undeniable staple of 80s beauty, adding a touch of metallic shimmer and playful glam to any look. It was about enhancing the lips with a luminous, almost iridescent finish that caught the light.

Color Suggestions: Frosted pinks, peachy nudes, shimmery berries, or even a frosted red. The key is the ‘frosted’ or ‘metallic’ finish.
Styling Tips: This lip pairs well with both bold eye looks (like neon pops) or more subtle eye makeup (like a simple liner and mascara) when you want the lips to be the main attraction. It works with everything from casual denim to glamorous evening wear. Keep hair voluminous and perhaps a little messy, like a big, bouncy blowout.

Electric Blue Dream

No color screams 80s quite like electric blue. This look is a direct homage to that singular, striking shade, applied with unapologetic intensity. It’s a statement of confidence and a celebration of color.

Color Suggestions: Use a highly pigmented electric blue eyeshadow. Apply it generously over the entire lid, extending it into a soft wing or sweeping it up towards the brow bone. Pair with heavy black liquid eyeliner and voluminous mascara.
Styling Tips: Best worn with contrasting colors like black, white, or silver to make the eyes truly pop. Think structured tops, sequined jackets, or even a bold jumpsuit. Hair can be styled in a high pony, a messy bun with a scrunchie, or big, teased waves. Clear accessories or silver jewelry would complement this eye-catching look.

Geometric Eye Art

For the truly experimental, the 80s offered the canvas of the eyelid for geometric artistry. This look involves creating sharp lines, angles, and shapes with eyeliner or eyeshadow, moving beyond traditional blending into a more abstract realm.

Color Suggestions: Use contrasting colors for graphic lines, such as black liquid liner paired with a bright white, yellow, or pink liner. Or create blocks of color with eyeshadow in geometric patterns.
Styling Tips: This is a high-fashion, avant-garde look. Pair with minimalist, architectural clothing or bold, color-blocked pieces to keep the focus on the artistic eye makeup. Hair can be slicked back or styled in an edgy, asymmetric cut. Accessories should be modern and sculptural.

Punk Princess Smolder

While punk originated in the late 70s, its raw, rebellious spirit continued to influence 80s fashion and beauty. This look is about a dark, smoldering gaze that combines a heavy smoky eye with an air of defiant glamour.

Color Suggestions: Intense charcoal gray, black, and deep purple eyeshadows, heavily smudged around the entire eye. A thick black kohl liner on the waterline is essential. Lips can be a deep, matte berry, wine, or even a true black for maximum impact. Keep the rest of the face pale.
Styling Tips: Think ripped band tees, leather jackets, fishnet details, and chunky boots. Hair is often messy, teased, or dyed in an unconventional color. Studded accessories, chokers, and heavy silver jewelry complete the punk-rock vibe.

Bold Brows & Barely There Eyes

While much of 80s makeup was about dramatic eyes, some looks opted to spotlight the brows and lips. This style emphasizes naturally thick, well-defined brows (often a bit unruly) with minimal eye makeup, allowing a bold lip to shine.

Color Suggestions: Focus on filling and defining brows with a powder or pencil matching your natural hair color, allowing them to appear full and brushed up. For eyes, just a few coats of mascara. Lips should be a strong, matte color like fuchsia, deep red, or a rich berry.
Styling Tips: This look is versatile and can complement a range of 80s styles, from preppy to new wave. It works particularly well with clean, tailored lines or a more natural, effortless aesthetic. Hair can be big and bouncy or pulled back to highlight the face. Minimalist jewelry is key.

Rainbow Bright Liner

For those who couldn’t pick just one color, the 80s offered the joy of combining multiple bright hues in a single, eye-catching liner statement. This look is playful, creative, and undeniably unique.

Color Suggestions: Use a selection of thin liquid eyeliners in vibrant, contrasting colors like yellow, orange, pink, green, and blue. Apply them in thin, stacked lines just above the upper lash line, extending slightly outwards.
Styling Tips: This highly artistic eye look pairs best with outfits that embrace color and playfulness, such as color-blocked apparel, oversized graphic t-shirts, or patterned dresses. Hair can be styled in fun, quirky ways like pigtails with scrunchies or a high half-updo with a big bow. Fun, novelty accessories enhance the whimsical feel.

Glitter & Gloss Extravaganza

The 80s loved shine, and this look combines two of the decade’s favorite elements: glitter and gloss. It’s about maximum shimmer and a dewy, luminous finish that exudes a celebratory and glamorous vibe.

Color Suggestions: Apply a glitter glue to eyelids, then press loose, chunky glitter in silver, gold, or iridescent shades over it. For lips, choose a high-shine gloss, either clear or tinted with shimmer, over a frosted lipstick base.
Styling Tips: Perfect for a party or a night out, this look pairs well with sequined tops, metallic fabrics, or velvet dresses. Hair should be big, glamorous, and full of volume, perhaps with a touch of hair glitter. Statement jewelry, especially earrings that catch the light, will complete the dazzling effect.Key Takeaways for Mastering 80s Makeup

Recreating 80s makeup isn’t just about applying product; it’s about embracing a mindset of daring creativity. Here are some essential tips to nail the look:

Embrace Color: Don’t shy away from bold, unexpected hues – the more vibrant, the better!
Layer and Blend: Many 80s looks involved layering colors, often with a blend that extended far beyond the traditional lid.
Define and Contour: Blush wasn’t just for a rosy glow; it was a tool for sculpting. Brows were strong and defined.
Shine On: Frosted finishes, glitter, and high-shine gloss were paramount for both eyes and lips.
Confidence is Key: The most important accessory for any 80s look is the confidence to wear it unapologetically.

Do’s and Don’ts of 80s Makeup

Do’s

DO play with contrasting colors on your eyes (e.g., blue and pink, purple and green).
DO experiment with draping blush high up to your temples for a sculpted effect.
DO use liquid eyeliner for sharp wings or graphic shapes.
DO opt for frosted lipsticks and high-shine glosses.
DO pair your makeup with big, voluminous hair and statement accessories.

Don’ts

DON’T be afraid to apply color generously – subtlety was not an 80s strong suit.
DON’T forget your eyebrows; they should be well-defined and full, not pencil-thin.
DON’T skip the mascara; thick, dark lashes were a must.
DON’T use overly muted or natural tones if you’re aiming for an authentic 80s bold look.
DON’T forget to have fun! The 80s were about self-expression and joy.

The 80s were a decade that celebrated bold choices and expressive individuality. From the electrifying neon eyes to the dramatic draped blush, each makeup look was a testament to the era’s unique aesthetic. While these looks were daring then, they offer an incredible canvas for modern interpretation today. Whether you choose to dive headfirst into a full retro transformation or simply incorporate a single bold element, remember that the true spirit of 80s makeup lies in its unapologetic confidence. So, grab your brightest eyeshadows, your glossiest lipsticks, and a whole lot of glitter, and get ready to make your own dazzling statement. Embrace the vibrant energy of the 80s, because when it comes to beauty, sometimes bigger, brighter, and bolder is truly better.

15 Bold 80s Makeup Looks