8 Groovy ‘70s Makeup Trends That Are Trending Today

The fun ‘70s were famous for bright, shiny eyeshadow, bold eyeliner, and big, fun lashes. Since things from the past often come back, we see these 1970s makeup styles on social media now. We like it—whether it’s natural skin or glitter—because ‘70s makeup is pretty and easy to wear.

The fun style from the 1970s had bright, shiny eyeshadow, bold eyeliner, and big, fun eyelashes. Things from the past often come back, so we see these 1970s makeup styles on social media today. People like it—whether they choose natural skin or glitter—because 1970s makeup looks pretty and is easy to wear.

What Kind of Makeup Was Popular in the 1970s?

Makeup in the 1970s was fun and different for everyone. Many people tried bold and creative looks, and different groups had their own styles. The way people wore makeup was mostly shaped by the rebellious and free-spirited ideas of that time, showing two very different kinds of makeup styles.

There were simple looks that used just one big feature, like a clear face with very dark, spider-like bottom lashes, but there were also shiny, fun looks that were perfect for dancing, like very tan cheeks with light-colored eyeshadow and glitter on the eyelids. In the 1970s, eye makeup often had shiny or pearly colors that were bright and bold, but sometimes it used warm, natural shades too. The main idea was not to copy a trend but to do what made you happy—something everyone can enjoy.

The Most Popular 1970s Makeup Looks to Rock Now

Many parts of the fancy disco time from the past are now part of how we do our makeup today. We love how they show off bright colors, clear skin, big lashes, and shiny lips. Here are eight makeup styles from the 1970s that you might want to try again today.

1. Dewy skin

In the 1970s, people stopped using matte foundation and started going for a look that made their skin look shiny and natural. This change in makeup style made it easier to highlight bold eyeliner and glittery eyeshadow, which were very popular in that time.

To make your skin look healthy and shiny, use light and dewy makeup products. Start with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation as your base — it covers well and looks natural, and can stay on for up to 32 hours. After putting on your foundation, gently dab a liquid highlighter like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion on your cheekbones, chin, and above your lips to make your skin look extra bright and glowing.

2. Bold bottom lashes

When you put on mascara, people usually focus on your top eyelashes. But from old-fashioned makeup styles, we know your bottom lashes should get some love too. Take your favorite mascara—like L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Waterproof Mascara—and gently put it on your bottom lashes. This will make them look longer, lifted, and separated all day long.

If your skin gets oily or your mascara tends to smudge, try using a tubing mascara like L’Oréal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes. These mascaras don’t stay waterproof, but they won’t smudge or transfer on your face during the day. And when you’re done, you can easily wash them off with water, which is great after a fun night of dancing.

3. Sparkly eyes

Big, shiny glitter was a main part of 1970s disco makeup—and people thought the more glitter, the better.

If you want your eyes to shine all day or night without falling off or flaking, try the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow. It’s light and comes in many sparkly colors, perfect for making you look like a disco star.

If you want a softer sparkle, try adding the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick in Ice Sparkle to your collection. Its smooth formula makes it easy to color your eyelids from your lashes to your eyebrows. Finish with some mascara for a simple but stylish ’70s look.

4. Rosy, flushed cheeks

If you like bright, colorful blush, you’ll love the 70s makeup style. Back then, people often wore pink cheeks that looked fresh and healthy, whether they were dancing at discos or hanging out with friends. We like this look because it makes you look nice and natural, and it’s simple to do, even if you’re new to makeup.

To get a fun, vintage-looking blush, pick a bright pink color like L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Liquid Blush in Dewy Bright Pink. Use your fingers or a brush to gently spread it on your cheekbones. You can add more if you want your cheeks to look really rosy. Just make sure to blend it well so it looks smooth and pretty.

If you like powder blushes, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush in Fearless Coral. It stays on all day and night because it doesn’t come off easily when you sweat, get hot, or splash water on it. You won’t need to fix it during the day.

5. Dramatic winged eyeliner

The cat eye makeup style started in the 1960s, but it became very popular in the 1970s. Instead of small flicks, people started using long wings, bright colors, and special floating liner designs. Whatever 1970s style you like, you’ll need the right eyeliner to create it.

One of our favorite eyeliners is the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner. Its special tip slides easily on your eyelids, so it’s easy to use, especially if you’re just starting. It also comes in different fun colors if you want to try something other than black. If you like pencil eyeliners, you might like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner, which lasts up to 24 hours. It’s available in classic black and brown, plus bright colors for a fun, bold look.

6. Pastel eyeshadow

You don’t have to use lots of glitter to get 1970s eye makeup looks. For a gentler style, try using light pastel eyeshadows like baby pink, soft lilac, or mint green. These gentle colors are fun to try because they’re bright but soft, making bold colors easier to wear during the day.

You can use eyeshadow to make your natural eye color stand out more. If you have blue eyes, try using a pinkish eyeshadow like the L’Oréal Paris Le Shadow Stick in Cloudy Rose. If you have green eyes, purple shades like the L’Oréal Paris Le Shadow Stick in Magnetic Mauve look really nice. For brown eyes, cool-colored shadows like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Argentic, which is a shiny blue with silver, can make your eyes’ golden spots stand out. You can also put on some bold black mascara with your pastel eyeshadow to make your eyes pop with a simple, eye-catching look.

7. Nude lips

In the 1970s, eye makeup was bright and colorful, but lipstick was usually soft and natural. Many women liked to wear a light or clear lipstick to make their look balanced with the bold eye and cheek colors.

To add a little color and a shiny, natural look, try putting on the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract in Blush Fantasy on your bare lips. It’s light and soft, keeps your lips moisturized, and gives a gentle, glowing color that you can make more or less bright if you want.

If you like a lipstick that looks matte, try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in a pinkish-nude color called Le Nude Rebellious. It has a rich color and a powdery matte look that can last up to 16 hours without making your lips feel dry.

8. Bronzed cheeks

In the 1970s, people liked having very defined cheekbones and a tan look all over their skin. Using bronzer helped make it look like you just came from the beach and made big lashes and full eyebrows look even better. To get a natural, sunny look, try brushing the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer on your cheekbones, the sides of your face, and along your nose. It comes in eight light, easy-to-wear shades that match different skin tones and can stay on for up to 24 hours without smudging, even if you’re dancing and having fun.