Your Guide To Iconic 60s Makeup: Get That Timeless Mod Look Today

Are you looking to capture the spirit of an exciting era with your makeup? The 1960s brought forth some of the most memorable and, quite frankly, fun beauty looks we've ever seen. It was a time of big changes, and makeup styles really reflected that, moving away from the more structured looks of earlier decades. So, if you're curious about how to bring a bit of that groovy vibe into your current routine, you're in the right spot.

This period, you know, really broke free from older traditions, especially in how people presented themselves. Young folks, in particular, were experimenting with bold new ways to express who they were, and makeup became a big part of that. It wasn't just about looking nice; it was about making a statement, about showing off a fresh perspective, which is pretty cool if you ask me.

Learning about 60s makeup means exploring dramatic eyes, soft lips, and a complexion that looks quite clean. It's a style that still feels fresh and relevant, even today, and you see hints of it everywhere. So, whether you're getting ready for a themed event or just want to try something different, understanding these classic techniques can really help you out, honestly.

Table of Contents

• What Made 60s Makeup So Special?
• The Eyes Have It: A Deep Look into 60s Eye Makeup
  • The Iconic Crease and Liner
  • Lashes for Days: The Power of Falsies
  • Eyeshadow Choices
• Skin and Lips: The Perfect Backdrop
  • A Fresh Face: Complexion Basics
  • Soft and Subtle Lip Looks
• Getting the Look: Step-by-Step
  • Step 1: Preparing Your Canvas
  • Step 2: Creating Those Dramatic Eyes
  • Step 3: Finishing Touches for Skin and Lips
• Famous Faces and Their 60s Looks
  • Twiggy: The Mod Icon
  • Brigitte Bardot: The Sultry Cat Eye
  • Audrey Hepburn and the Classic Elegance
• Modern Twists on a Classic
• Frequently Asked Questions About 60s Makeup

What Made 60s Makeup So Special?

The 1960s really shook things up in the beauty world, you know? It moved away from the more polished, grown-up styles of the 1950s. This decade was all about youth, rebellion, and a playful spirit. Makeup became a way to express yourself, rather than just to enhance your features subtly. It was, in some respects, about making a statement.

Eyes became the main focus, often looking very large and doll-like, which is pretty distinctive. The idea was to open up the eye area, making it seem wider and more innocent, yet still quite striking. This was achieved through specific eyeliner techniques and, very often, lots of lashes. It was a look that, honestly, was hard to miss.

While the eyes were bold, the rest of the face usually stayed quite simple. Skin was kept clean and fresh, and lips were often a pale or nude shade. This contrast made the eye makeup stand out even more, creating a balanced, yet dramatic, overall effect. It’s a style that, as a matter of fact, still captures imaginations today.

The Eyes Have It: A Deep Look into 60s Eye Makeup

When you think about 60s makeup, your mind probably goes straight to the eyes, right? They were, after all, the star of the show. The goal was to make eyes look as big and as open as possible, almost like a doll's. This meant a lot of focus on liner, the crease, and, you know, those amazing lashes. It was a really specific sort of artistry.

The Iconic Crease and Liner

A key part of the 60s eye was the defined crease. People would draw a line, often with dark eyeliner or a dark shadow, just above their natural eyelid crease. This created an illusion of a deeper, wider eye. Sometimes, this line would extend past the outer corner of the eye, giving it an even more exaggerated, almost cartoon-like, appearance, which was quite a thing.

Eyeliner on the upper lash line was also very important. It was usually a thick, dark line, often with a wing or a flick at the outer corner, similar to a cat eye but perhaps a bit more rounded or elongated. This line helped to frame the eye and make the lashes seem even fuller. It was, arguably, the backbone of the entire eye look.

For the lower lash line, people often used white or a very light liner on the waterline. This trick made the eyes look even larger and brighter. Then, just below the lower lashes, they might draw small, individual lines to mimic bottom lashes, especially for the super-mod looks. It was, you know, a very clever technique.

Lashes for Days: The Power of Falsies

False eyelashes were, quite frankly, everywhere in the 60s. Both upper and lower lashes were often enhanced with strips or even individual clusters. The idea was to create a very dense, almost spidery lash look that really opened up the eyes. The more dramatic, the better, honestly.

Some looks involved painting on lower lashes with liquid eyeliner, creating those distinct, separated lines below the eye. This was particularly popular with models like Twiggy, and it became a signature of the mod style. It's a rather bold choice, but it truly defines the era's aesthetic.

Mascara, too, played a big role, even with false lashes. People would apply several coats, sometimes wiggling the brush to make lashes stick together in little clumps, further emphasizing that doll-like effect. It was about volume and separation, but in a very specific, almost exaggerated, way, you see.

Eyeshadow Choices

Eyeshadow in the 60s was often kept quite simple, allowing the liner and lashes to take center stage. Pale, matte shades like white, cream, or light blue were popular on the lid. These lighter colors helped to make the eye area appear more open and innocent. It was, in a way, a subtle background for the bolder elements.

Sometimes, a light wash of pastel color, like baby blue or pale green, would be used, but it was rarely blended up to the brow bone. The focus was on the lid and the defined crease. It was a very different approach compared to the blended, smoky eyes we often see today, which is quite interesting.

The overall effect was clean and bright on the lid, with a sharp, dark line defining the socket. This contrast was what gave 60s eyes their unique character. It’s a look that, apparently, still gets people talking.

Skin and Lips: The Perfect Backdrop

While the eyes were making a huge statement, the rest of the face in 60s makeup was usually much more understated. This contrast was important for the overall balance of the look. It was about letting those dramatic eyes truly shine, you know, without too much competition.

A Fresh Face: Complexion Basics

The ideal complexion in the 60s was clean, matte, and often quite pale. People aimed for a flawless, almost porcelain-like finish. Heavy contouring or strong blush was not really a thing. The idea was to create a smooth, even base that didn't distract from the eye makeup, which is pretty smart.

Foundation was applied to even out skin tone, and then a light dusting of powder would often be used to set it and remove any shine. Blush, if used at all, was applied very subtly, perhaps just a hint of pink on the apples of the cheeks to give a youthful glow. It was, essentially, about a fresh, natural-looking canvas.

The emphasis was on a youthful, almost childlike, appearance for the skin. This meant avoiding anything that looked too heavy or overly made-up. It was a simple approach that, honestly, worked very well with the bold eye looks.

Soft and Subtle Lip Looks

Unlike the bold red lips of previous decades, 60s lips were usually very muted. Pale pinks, nudes, and even sometimes a peachy tone were popular. The idea was to keep the lips from competing with the dramatic eyes. It was a pretty clever way to balance the face.

Some people even used foundation or concealer on their lips to completely erase their natural lip color, making them almost invisible. This made the eyes seem even larger and more prominent. It's a technique that, as a matter of fact, still gets used by some makeup artists today for certain looks.

Lip gloss was also used to add a subtle shine, but it was never about intense color. The focus was always on a soft, almost innocent mouth. This understated lip, you know, really helped to define the whole aesthetic of the time.

Getting the Look: Step-by-Step

Ready to try out this iconic style? It's not as hard as it might seem, honestly. With a few simple steps and the right products, you can totally capture that 60s vibe. We'll go through it together, so you know exactly what to do.

Step 1: Preparing Your Canvas

First things first, start with a clean face. Apply your usual moisturizer and a good primer to create a smooth base. Then, apply a light-to-medium coverage foundation that matches your skin tone. The goal is an even, fresh complexion, you know, without looking too heavy.

Set your foundation with a translucent powder, especially in your T-zone, to keep things matte. Remember, the 60s look was about a clean, almost porcelain finish, so avoid anything too dewy. A little bit of powder, just a little, goes a long way here.

If you use blush, pick a very soft, natural pink or peach shade. Apply it sparingly to the apples of your cheeks, just to give a slight hint of color. The idea is a youthful glow, not a sculpted face, which is pretty different from some modern styles.

Step 2: Creating Those Dramatic Eyes

This is where the magic happens, obviously. Start by applying an eyeshadow primer to your eyelids to help your makeup last. Then, sweep a light, matte eyeshadow (like cream or pale beige) across your entire eyelid, right up to your brow bone. This creates a bright, open base.

Next, grab a dark brown or black liquid or gel eyeliner. For the defined crease, look straight into a mirror. Locate your natural crease. Then, draw a line just above it, following the curve of your eye. This line can be quite distinct and bold. You can extend it slightly past the outer corner of your eye for extra drama, you know, if you like that look.

Now, for the upper lash line. Draw a thick line of eyeliner along your upper lashes, starting from the inner corner and extending outwards. Create a wing or a flick at the outer corner, aiming slightly upwards. The wing should be quite noticeable, but not overly exaggerated. It's about a classic shape, you see.

For the lower lash line, use a white or nude eyeliner on your waterline. This makes your eyes appear larger and brighter. Then, with a fine-tipped liquid eyeliner, draw small, separated lines just below your lower lash line to mimic those iconic doll-like bottom lashes. This step, frankly, really makes the look.

Finally, for the lashes themselves. Curl your upper lashes and apply several coats of black mascara, focusing on separating them but also allowing for a slightly clumpy, doll-like effect. Then, carefully apply a pair of full, dramatic false eyelashes to your upper lash line. For extra impact, you can even add individual false lashes to your lower lash line, or just really build up mascara there. It's about, you know, making them look very full.

Step 3: Finishing Touches for Skin and Lips

With your eyes complete, it’s time to finish the rest of your face. Check your complexion to make sure it's still looking fresh and matte. If needed, a light touch-up with powder is perfectly fine. The idea is to maintain that clean, clear base, you know, so the eyes really pop.

For your lips, choose a pale pink, nude, or peach lipstick. Apply it directly or with a lip brush for precision. You can also use a lip liner that matches your chosen lipstick to define the shape, but keep it soft. The goal is a subtle, understated mouth that doesn't compete with your dramatic eye makeup, which is pretty important for this style.

If you want a bit of shine, add a clear or very sheer lip gloss over your lipstick. Remember, it's about a hint of gloss, not a super shiny, bold lip. The overall look should feel balanced, with the eyes as the main attraction. And that, basically, is how you get the look.

Famous Faces and Their 60s Looks

The 60s had some truly iconic figures whose makeup became synonymous with the era. Looking at them can give you a lot of inspiration for your own 60s makeup attempts. These people, you know, really defined the style.

Twiggy: The Mod Icon

Twiggy, with her short hair and incredibly striking eyes, became the face of the Mod movement. Her makeup was all about those exaggerated, painted-on lower lashes and a very defined cut crease. She often wore a very pale lip, which made her huge, innocent-looking eyes stand out even more. Her look was, essentially, a blueprint for the mod aesthetic.

Her style was bold, playful, and very graphic. It showed how makeup could be an art form, rather than just a way to look conventionally pretty. Her influence, you know, is still felt in fashion and beauty today.

Brigitte Bardot: The Sultry Cat Eye

While Twiggy was the queen of mod, Brigitte Bardot brought a more sensual, yet still very 60s, look to the forefront. Her signature was a dramatic, smoky cat eye, often paired with a voluminous, messy hairstyle. Her eyeliner was thick and winged, usually smudged slightly for a softer, more alluring effect. It was, in a way, a more grown-up take on the eye focus.

Bardot's lips were usually a natural or pale pink, similar to the mod look, but her overall vibe was much more sultry. She showed that the 60s wasn't just about innocent, doll-like eyes; it could also be about a powerful, feminine gaze. Her style, you know, is still incredibly popular.

Audrey Hepburn and the Classic Elegance

Though her most iconic film roles came in the late 50s and early 60s, Audrey Hepburn's elegant, doe-eyed look continued to influence the decade. Her makeup was less about dramatic graphic lines and more about a refined, wide-eyed innocence. She used thick eyeliner and plenty of mascara to create a beautiful, open eye. It was, arguably, a timeless approach.

Hepburn's look was always polished and graceful, proving that 60s makeup could also be subtle and sophisticated. Her eyebrows were usually well-defined but natural, and her lips were often a soft pink or nude. She showed that the era's focus on the eyes could be interpreted with great elegance, which is pretty neat.

Modern Twists on a Classic

The beauty of 60s makeup is that it's surprisingly adaptable for today's looks. You don't have to go full Twiggy every time, you know. You can pick and choose elements to create something fresh and current. It's all about making it work for you.

For instance, you could try just the defined cut crease with a more modern, less dramatic lash. Or, you could do a softer version of the lower lash lines with just mascara. A winged liner is, of course, always in style, and it's a direct nod to the 60s. It's a very versatile foundation, honestly.

You might also pair the classic 60s eye with a slightly bolder lip color than they used back then, perhaps a soft berry or a more vibrant nude. This gives it a contemporary feel while still honoring the original inspiration. Playing around with it, you know, is half the fun.

The key is to take the elements you love most and make them your own. Whether it's the big eyes, the clean skin, or the pale lips, these 60s techniques can inspire a whole range of beautiful, eye-catching looks. It's a pretty fantastic way to add some flair to your makeup routine, as a matter of fact.

For more on the history of makeup styles, you might find this external resource interesting: The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection on fashion and costume.

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Frequently Asked Questions About 60s Makeup

What was the makeup style in the 60s?

The makeup style in the 1960s focused heavily on the eyes, making them appear large and doll-like. This involved bold eyeliner, often with a defined crease line, lots of mascara, and false eyelashes, sometimes even painted-on lower lashes. The rest of the face, like the skin and lips, was kept quite simple and understated, usually matte and pale, so the eyes could really stand out, you know.