Recreate These 80s Makeup Looks Before You Go-Go [To The Party]

Got your 80s costume and accessories ready for the party? Now it’s time for the fun: the makeup! I may not have been alive during the 80s but the makeup trends are a favourite of mine. As a trained makeup artist, I love the use of bold and bright colours, applying at least four different colours of eyeshadows and the many sweeping layers of contouring. I’ll show you how to recreate some of my favourite 80s makeup looks to get you ready for your 80s party.

You’ll need:

• Eyeshadow primer.
• At least three different sizes of blending eyeshadow brush.
• Flat medium sized eyeshadow brush.
• A small flat definition eyeshadow brush.
• An extra small flat brush (for the inner corners).
• Eyeshadow palette with a variety of colours.
• Blue or black and white liner pencil.
• False lashes (optional).

1. A subtle (for the 80s) look

Here’s a makeup look I love that will suit anyone. It’s perfect for those who just want a simple and easy 80s makeup look that’s on theme.

To recreate this look:

• Always prime your eyes before starting.
• Sweep your eyelid with a strong white pigment eyeshadow.
• Using a small soft blending brush, apply a medium purple to your crease and all the way to the inner corner, in a sweeping motion.
• Take a smaller clean blending brush, apply a slightly darker purple eyeshadow slightly over the other purple eyeshadow.
• Grab another soft small blending brush and apply a gold or orange shimmer eyeshadow above your brow bone and all the wall to your eyebrows.
• Using a small flat definition brush, apply the medium purple to your bottom lashes. Then apply the dark purple to the outer corners in a curving motion towards the corner.
• Grab an even smaller brush and apply a white shimmer to the inner corners.
• Apply blue eyeliner to your waterline.
• Apply a good amount of blush along the cheekbones and sweep all the way up to the temples.
• For the lips, apply a bright red or orange glossy lipstick. 

Image source: Pinterest

2. The 80’s Power Diva Style

For those wanting something to suit a character or iconic pop diva of the 80s, this is the look I suggest for you. Designed to project strength, the 80’s power woman look is sure to attract attention.

To recreate this look:

• Always prime your eyes before starting.
• Sweep your eyelid and just above your crease, all the way to the inner corner, with a strong light purple-pink pigment eyeshadow.
• Using a small soft blending brush, apply pink eye shadow halfway along the crease and all the way to the outer corner and curve in back towards the eye.
• Using a small blending brush, apply the pink shadow to your bottom lashes and lightly further down to the tips of the lashes.
• Grab an even smaller brush and apply a white or lavender shimmer to the inner corners.
• Apply blue or black eyeliner to your waterline.
• Apply a good amount of blush along the cheekbones and sweep diagonally all the way up to the temples.
• To complete the eye look, apply false lashes for extra glam.
• For the lips, apply a bright red or orange glossy lipstick. 

Image source: Pinterest

3. Bold, Beautiful and Boisterous 80s Makeup

Do you love daring colours like I do? Then this 80’s inspired look is the perfect choice if you want to make a bold, fun statement.

To recreate this look:

• Always prime your eyes before starting.
• Sweep a neon or bright pink shadow over your lids using a medium flat eyeshadow brush. Also apply to the first half of your inner lashes.
• Using a large sized blending brush, apply a neon or bright green above the pink, all the way to your eyebrows but stop around the middle of your brow. Sweep the green to the outside in a rounded motion back towards your eyes, or if you like, all the way to your temple. Apply green halfway along your bottom lashes in a thick line and slightly blend into the pink.
• Using a medium blending brush, sweep a darker green along the outer corner of your crease and brow bone. Blend into the other green to give definition.
• Grab a small blending brush, apply yellow eyeshadow to the inner corners, starting from right in the corner next to your tear ducts and sweep diagonally up and along your eyebrow until you meet the green.
• Apply white eyeliner to your waterline.
• Add your false lashes (optional).
• For lips, apply a bright pink glossy lipstick.

Image source: Pinterest

Once you have finished your makeup look, your hair is big and bouncy and you’ve got your awesome 80s outfit, you’re ready to party! Show off your 1980s look and tag us in any of your pics (@costumebox).