70s Makeup Trends You Need To Know: White Liner, Peachy Shades & More

Posted by Noelle Montes on Monday, May 6, 2024

70s fashion is pretty timeless and one era we'll always draw inspo to. Now, it's beauty's turn, with 70s makeup and hair sweeping our feeds and inspiring our party looks.

When it comes to makeup, the 70s can largely be categorised into two camps. The first: copper tones, nude glossy lips and bronzed, sun-kissed skin – what some would now call latte makeup. The other is the bolder of the two, with accents like blue eyeshadow, statement lower lashes and winged eyeliner. With bold colours, drama eyes and groovy vibes, it's no wonder 70s makeup is overdue a triumphant comeback.

“I think there were two definite beauty movements coming out of that decade,” says Terry Barber, Director of Makeup Artistry, M·A·C Cosmetics. “There was the outdoorsy tan, bronze, beige movement (think Lauren Hutton) or of course the glossiness and high glamour of disco and glam rock.”

While the trend might be a throwback to a bygone era, it's had a modern twist thanks to some key updates. “The refinement and choice of textures in modern products means that achieving a 70s style glam can look more effortless and less retro,” says Terry. “Heavy highlighter can be more of an all-over glow, a pop of colour on the eyes can be worn against an otherwise stripped back face, a bright blush can be a healthy flush rather than a stripe and a glossy lip can have a more balmy, less drippy finish. It's about picking out the details of the 70s but not necessarily wearing them all at once. It is nice however to keep that sense of decadent dance-floor drama that the 70s embodied but with a lighter touch.”

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Now let's take a closer look at the details, techniques and trends you'll need to know about in order to nail the 70s makeup trend.

Tangerine Tones


The 70s were all about burnt orange tones and warm brown shades, used across the complexion to create a monochrome makeup look. Take your cues from Jamie Genevieve, makeup artist and founder of Vieve, whose signature look involves an array of velvety autumnal shades from copper to peach to chocolatey brown.

Blue Eyeshadow

Blue eyeshadow is the calling card of 60s makeup, but it's also a 70s staple. The key difference is that the 70s saw a disco update to the trend, with more vibrant colours and metallic finishes. We love this interpretation of the trend by makeup pro Danielle Marcan, who has paired a bold feline flick with icy blue eyeshadow.

White eyeliner

It doesn't get more 70s than white eyeliner. The hero product was commonly used in the water line to make eyes look wider and brighter – and the same goes for today, except makeup artists are extending application to over the waterline to create an even more eye-opening effect.

Statement Lower Lashes

The 70s saw the start of a new focus on the lower lashes to create standout, graphic looks as well as a continuation of the doe-eyed lashes of the 60s. For a modern twist, amp up the edginess of look by incorporating power eyebrows.

Subtle Matte Skin

As well as glitter and drama, the 70s were also showered with earthy, matte and muted tones. That is rusty oranges on the eyes for a lightly smoked and alluring gaze, matte base all over, but leaving the drama in the eyeliner – accentuating the eyes with thick eyeliner to deliver a sultry, mysterious and timeless look.

Shimmery Pastel

This shimmery pastel lilac eyeshadow is very Cher. Pastels were all the craze back in the 70s. Modernised by a deep blue wing, with dewy skin all over this is 70s reinvented. Pairing it with a very 70s, brushed up feathered brow and you're in a time machine straight to the 70s.

Modern Negative Space

Why not try a green lunar negative space with icy inner eyes for a hint of that 70s shimmer? Bold hues and patterns were a big part of 70s fashion. This eye can be paired perfectly with rosy flushed cheeks and glowing skin which marked much of 70s beauty looks – achieved with soft blush application for that healthy, sun-kissed glow.

Feathered eyeliner

Adding a bottom lash line that runs as far at the top lash, creates that sultry power eye look renown in the 70s. The rest of the skin has a dewy 2k23 finish and the combo is chef's kiss. Au naturel and straight from a 70s fashion catalogue.

Earthy tones

You can't go wrong with a cat eye when aiming for a 70s inspired beauty look. This iconic look features a bold and dramatic eyeliner wing that extends outward from the corner of the eye, mimicking that sexy feline flick. It's givin' timeless allure…

The era of disco bought forth an explosion of bold and neon colours (which then transcended to the 80s) but having a eye socket negative space liner in a bold green is the epitome of party ready makeup.

For more throwback beauty ideas, check out these 60s inspired beauty looks as well as the best 90s hair looks.

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For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona

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