The Swinging Sixties brought about a period of radical change in more ways than one. It was a time of revolutionary music, fashion and culture – but most noticeably, it was a period of transformation for makeup. Brightly-hued eyeshadows, exuberant lipsticks and wild doses of glitter and sparkle – all these became part of the colorful makeup revolution of the 1960s. Let’s take a journey through time, and explore the impactful makeup trends of this iconic era.
1. Welcome to the Technicolor Decade: The Swinging Sixties
The sixties marked a revolutionary period of change in society and culture, creating a decade full of vibrant creativity. Through the decades people have long referenced the sixties as a golden age: a time of liberation, unity and new opportunity for the western world.
The societal shift that began throughout the sixties inspired unprecedented expression in the realms of fashion and music. Emergent sources of inspiration ranged from folk and soul to rock, pulling on eastern culture to create a unique psychedelic sound. Bold colors and unusual designs also took flight, offering an unprecedented scope of style.
It wouldn’t be a fair summary of the sixties without mention of the shifting political landscape. The decade brought a renewed sense of impassioned activism within the youth, particularly concerning civil and women’s rights. It was a drastic departure from the preceding decade, reflecting a less conservative, more unified attitude.
- Psychedelic Music
- Daring Fashion
- Civic Unrest
From the sounds of greatness, to the bold visuals and political vigor, the sixties have shined brightly in the collective memory. Beyond it’s renown stance in history, these 60 years have born an enormous amount of influence in the realms of culture, music and fashion; one which remains relevant in the modern day.
2. Reviving the Roaring Twenties: The New Makeup Revolution
A quick glance into the past century opens up a myriad of innovation and creativity in terms of fashion and makeup – from the glamorous elegance of the Roaring Twenties to the beautiful androgyny of the Sixties. Today, makeup trends are once again drawing inspiration from this period of flamboyance and boldness, resulting in an ongoing revolution in the makeup industry.
- Full Coverage Paint-like Makeup – Full coverage makeup is back in full force and is taking the fashion world by storm. Its vibrant colors and stark contrasts produce a rich impact that is perfect for special occasions or even everyday wear. With added layers, the effect can be quite stunning!
- Glittery & Shiny Look – Next up is a look that will have you feeling glamorous and luxurious – a glittery and shiny makeup style that would fit right at home in the 1920s. It oozes Art Deco-style and exudes an ultra-glam put-together look.
- Glamorous Colors – And of course, no Roaring Twenties look would be complete without its dramatic colors! From rich burgundy’s and golds, to ruby reds and deep blues, there is something for everyone. Intense and dramatic hues can be used to create a bold, eye-catching look.
Yes, the revolution of makeup from the Roaring Twenties continues on today – loud, proud, and utterly stunning. With different makeup products and offerings, you can take on the look with subtlety or go for an all-out dramatic effect. So don your best headpiece, grab your makeup brush, and get ready to get creative!
3. Uncovering the Bold Colors of the 1960s
The 1960s was a revolution in fashion, art, and culture. Pinks, yellows, greens in ways they had never been used before gave off a unique sense of energy. Clothes in bright colors were often paired with loud patterns and abstract designs. An explosion of different color combinations made it impossible not to stand out in the crowd.
Non-traditional accessories of the sixties added to the boldness of the decade’s style. Pieces of jewelry were often paired with feathers or large, dangling earrings to really drive home the bohemian look. Pops of color and interesting shapes in shoes, bags, and hats were also commonplace.
Vibrant colors were also the main elements of the sixties’ home décor. Wallpapers were the in thing for many homeowners and were often made with flowers, stripes, and graphic patterns. Coupled with different shades of furniture and textiles, the décor choices were limitless and often wild.
- Clothes in bright colors
- Non-traditional accessories
- Wallpapers made with flowers and stripes
- Different shades of furniture and textiles
For those who really wanted to dive into the daring colors of the 1960s, they took special consideration for their look. The clothing choices were bold and often daring, yet still held an air of elegance. Creations now considered classic looks were born out of this era. Women wore white miniskirts with bright colors and patterns while men typically paired different colors of white, black, brown, and beige. No matter the outfit, one thing was certain: it was going to be flashy.
4. Reimagining the Monochrome Era with Colored Eyes and Lips
Recreating the monochrome era isn’t about wiping away the classic beauty of the past. Instead, it’s about giving it a modern update with a few unexpected elements. Colored eyes and lips are a great way to do this. Not only do they provide a pop of color, they redefine classic beauty.
Eyes like bright sky blue and mandarin orange look beautiful on today’s monochrome palettes. Add some cool grey mascara and you have a unique look that still honors classic beauty. For the bottom lash line, try a lavender or sea foam green to really make your eyes stand out. You can also use bright pops of color to create an illusion of bigger, brighter eyes.
For lips, consider a matte red, terracotta, or pinky-nude. This will add a subtle touch of color that looks natural and stunning. Then finish off your look with a glossy top coat to bring out the luminosity. Keep in mind that lipsticks with a satin or velvet texture will look different depending on the light, so play around with different bold shades.
Here are a few tips for a monochrome look with colored eyes and lips:
- For eyes, pick shades that complement your skin tone.
- For bold colors, use lighter shades on the lower lash line.
- For lips, go for matte if you’re looking for a subtler lip look.
- Mix different eye and lip colors for a playful, modern look.
Adding colored eyes and lips to the monochrome era is a great way to breathe life into a classic look. It’s also a great way to play around with different shades and create unique looks that will make you stand out.
5. The Power of Color: How it Changed the Look of Society
Whether it’s a brightly colored dress, a cool blue car, or vibrant red architecture, color has a tremendous power to dramatically change the look of society. In the world of fashion, color has the ability to set trends or express your personality. In the auto industry, where cars are mass-produced, color is one of the few ways to stand out from the crowd. And in architecture, the right hue can transform the same old building into something unique and remarkable.
Color is also an important part of art. Great painters, sculptors, and photographers are able to make their work even more captivating by taking full advantage of the vibrant hues available. They use them to create depth and perspective, to portray emotion, and to bring life to their creations.
In many ways, color is an integral part of our daily lives. We use it to make our homes more inviting, to enhance our communication strategies, and to make products that will stand out on shelves. Here are just a few of the ways it has become a powerful tool in our society:
- In fashion, color dictates our clothes choices.
- In advertising, it directs our attention to products and services.
- In politics, it rallies supporters behind a cause.
- In architecture, it changes the mood of a space.
The fact is, color has the power to drastically improve the look of society. As long as people continue to recognize its creative potential, it will remain one of the most important tools available for us to shape our lives.
6. Makeup Today: Paying Homage to the Flamboyant Sixties Style
In the 1960s, fashion was a world of experimentation and fun! People sought out outlandish pieces, preferred bright, loud colors, and loved to don patterned prints. From A-line minidresses to babydoll eyes, make-up trends of the decade feature some of the most fabulous and exciting looks. Here is a look at some of the most fun and creative looks that inspired the fashion of our present day:
- Scrapbook-Inspired: Back in the 60s, eye makeup was all about being bold. Fad shades of blue, bright green, and brilliant pinks were used to create colorful swipes and graphic lines around the eyes, often giving it a scrapbook-like feel.
- Cat Eyes: The 60s saw the introduction of “cat eyes”, a style involving liquid eyeliner being painted into an upward sloping shape. This look was popularized by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Jean Shrimpton, and Louise Brooks.
- Fake Lashes: Fake lashes quickly became a major trend in the sixties. Long ones were used to create an exaggerated, glamorous look, while shorter ones were used to create a softer flutter.
Vibrant colors, statement makeup, playful prints, and tons of attitude – this is the essence of sixties style. Whether you’re going for a subtle retro-inspired look or a full-on wild ride, channel your inner Mod and use make-up to bring that groovy sixties style back into your life!
At the end of an era, The Swinging Sixties will always be remembered for the range of creativity it brought to the beauty world. Its daring colors and bold patterns shocked the conservative world and revolutionized the way makeup is viewed today. A time of exploration, liberation and self-expression, The Swinging Sixties will never be forgotten.