Fashion and beauty are cyclical. A trend arises, maintains its popularity for some time, and then fades back into obscurity, only to resurface after a few years (or decades) have passed. Most recently, we’ve laid witness to a re-emergence of ’90s and early-2000s trends. Halter tops, glossy lips, and grungy kohl-rimmed eyes are all back and bigger than ever (and we love them).
Lately, though, we’ve been inspired by another decade—one that was just as influential and iconic as the ’90s yet exists a little further back in our collective consciousness. We’re talking about the ’60s. It was the decade of shift dresses, psychedelic prints, and cut creases, and it’s all coming back. So, indulge us if you will, and take a walk down memory lane, revisiting the most emblematic makeup looks of the decade. From Twiggy to Cher to Diana Ross, these 11 looks will inspire you to take a free-spirited approach to makeup, or, at the very least, invest in a new liquid eyeliner (because what were the ’60s without eyeliner?).
We can’t talk about the ’60s without talking about Twiggy. After all, we have her to thank for perhaps the most iconic ’60s makeup look of all time. It consisted of a bold cut crease, heavy black liner, and a dramatic lower lash moment. Look closely, and you’ll see her lower waterline is rimmed with white eyeliner. It’s a small detail that makes her eyes look big, bold, and bright.
Jane Birkin did the impossible. She made her bold ’60s eye makeup look somehow effortless and understated at the same time (we know—it doesn’t make any sense). Everything about it is perfect, from the matte gray-black eyeshadow that follows the shape of her crease to her slightly spidery lashes and the dusting of petal pink blush across her cheeks.
Diana Ross was an icon of the ’60s for much more than just her makeup, but since we’re on the subject, we can’t help but highlight this cat-eye look. Look closely and you’ll see a jewel placed on the outer corner of the eye. Again, it’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
Oh, what can we say about Cher that hasn’t already been said? Not only is she one of the most referenced fashion icons, well, ever, but she’s also a bonafide beauty icon, too. For proof, look no further than this graphic, negative space eyeliner look. It’s utterly and undeniably cool.
Ok, so this is technically movie makeup, and not Elizabeth Taylor’s daily makeup look, but we are talking about the most iconic looks from the ’60s, aren’t we? And if this look, from 1963’s Cleopatra, doesn’t make the cut, we don’t know what would. While it’s admittedly very bold for daily wear, that doesn’t mean we can’t take some serious inspiration from it. We’ll be breaking out the blue eyeshadow and wear a wash of color across our lids.
Not all ’60s makeup looks were big and bold. Some, like the ones Jane Fonda would come to be known for, were actually quite understated. With this look, the star of the show is an inky liquid liner and full, fluttery lashes (whether those are thanks to falsies or mascara is beside the point).
Along with Jane Birkin, the epitome of 1960’s French glamour was Brigitte Bardot. There’s a lot we could comment on about this look—from the Breton top and cardigan combo to the hair scarf and voluminous waves—but we’ll stick with the ultra-sharp winged eyeliner. It’s perfect.
Model and actress Donyale Luna was the first woman of color to ever appear on Vogue. Her makeup looks were sleek and editorial and almost always featured graphic eyeliner and long, feathery lashes. We’ll be replicating her look with multiple coats of a dramatic mascara.
Here’s some date night makeup inspiration for you, courtesy of Sharon Tate. Her eye makeup equation, which is composed of smoky charcoal shadow, winged eyeliner, and voluminous lashes, works every time, but especially when it’s paired with a pale nude lipstick.
If there was ever anyone who had a signature makeup look, it was Sofia Loren. She’s basically synonymous with the cat-eye look, after years and years of using eyeliner to exaggerate and embolden her eye shape. It’s pretty much summed up with, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
Aretha Franklin is proof that glowing skin has always been in. Replicate her radiance with a shimmer-free highlighting balm to reflect light without looking glittery, cakey, or unnatural.
