e.l.f. Discovery

How to Nail the Perfect 80s Makeup Look

Victoria Benitez

Whether you’re a girl who just wants to have fun or simply one who wants to dance with somebody, you’ve come to the right place to relive the iconic 80s. Neon pinks and electric blues are coming back through exaggerated blush and bright and bold lipsticks. If you lived through the 80s, you probably would not have been a stranger to making a statement. If you missed out on this unforgettable decade, now’s your chance to take part and embrace the unapologetic and vibrant looks of the 80s.

If you want to channel any of the legends today, you’ll have to do some research first! A few cultural icons who embraced fearless and daring styles from makeup to fashion (and lots of big hair!) include Madonna, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, and Olivia Newton-John. Cyndi Lauper will be your match if you’re looking to express yourself through bold colors and quirky and eccentric statements. For our glamorous glow-getters, Whitney Houston embodied her pop princess persona through big hair, embellished denim, and pigmented eyeshadow looks. Of course, we can’t forget Madonna’s unparalleled confidence she sported through her rebellious punk style from lace details, layered accessories, and her signature deep red lip and brows. Wave hello to main character energy, ready for your take?

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

We learned from all the bold colors and dramatic styles of the 80s that a healthy, clean canvas was needed to make all your makeup looks truly pop. Before experimenting with your 80s-inspired makeup, begin your look with a well-prepped base. First, thoroughly cleanse your skin with a gentle face cleanser like the e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser. This gel-based foaming daily cleanser helps to ensure your base is clean from impurities, excess oil, and any leftover makeup.

Once your skin feels refreshed, reach for a hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin nourished and smooth. We love to reach for the e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream with SPF 30, its lightweight formula, quickly absorbs into the skin to help makeup glide on more evenly while protecting the skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen. The last step we never skip, and our most essential part for perfecting your base, is a face primer. If you’re looking to capture the bright and bold colors of the 80s, you’ll need a reliable face primer to keep your makeup from moving and have it last all day.

Step 2: Natural Base Look

The best glam starts not only within but with a good base! For a head-turning 80s-inspired look, beginning with a natural and neutral base that allows the vibrant colors to take center stage is essential. Begin with a hydrating concealer to correct and neutralize any redness, blemishes, or discoloration. Our blendable formula helps create a smooth, satin finish to blend bold colors later.

To further even out your complexion, follow up with using a medium coverage foundation for a natural base. Finally, set your base with the Halo Glow Setting Powder to create an airbrushed finish with a hint of a soft glow.

Step 3: Add a Pink Blush & Glowing Highlighter

If we time-traveled back to the 80s, one thing’s for sure: you’d be no stranger to blush. Iconic ‘80s makeup looks included a dramatic blush, and for this trend, it’s okay to embrace a little bit of “blush blindness.” We encourage you to layer on those vibrant pink and red hues to create an unapologetically bold, flushed look.

To create your look, start with our ultra-pigmented liquid blush to sculpt the cheekbones. This liquid blush is long-lasting and, most importantly, buildable to create the look you want. To amplify the look, swipe on a highlight wand for a hint of shimmer. Simply apply this subtle glow to the high points of the face to add a hint of color and shimmer. This pair seamlessly wears well together for a luminous and flushed look. If you want to channel the ‘80s, you don’t want to skip this step!

Step 4: Bold 80s Eyeshadow & Eyeliner

If you’ve made it this far, either go bold or go home! Next up are the eyes — for a splash of vibrant fun, start by applying eyeshadow primer to help intensify the color of any popular ‘80s shades.

For this inspired look, we’re looking at electric blues, vivid purples, or soft light pink hues to sweep across the lids. Add a dark, dramatic winged liner to amp up any eyeshadow, or if you’re looking to play up your look, a colorful liner that pops will do, too. Remember, this look is here for a good time (and a long time with the right primer!)

Step 5: Bright Lip

One thing that’s remained a necessity for beauty lovers alike is lipstick, and no ‘80s look is complete without a bright, bold lip. Whether you rely on a gloss, lipstick, or liner – any lip product will pull together this '80s-inspired glam look. Begin by shaping your lips with a Cream Glide Lip Liner to define the lips. You can either fill in the outline with liner or wear your lip liner under your preferred lipstick.

Next, pick a vivid shade like bright red or light pink lipstick. Our go-to shades include Loud AF, a bright fuschia, and Pleased a muted, rosy-tinted pink shade. For extra added drama, finish the look with a lip plumping pen to add some volume.

Removing Your 80s Makeup Look

After dancing the night away in your ‘80s glam, it’s time to take it all off – makeup, that is! While the ‘80s make a comeback, let’s not forget to care for our skin. With more makeup at play, your skin may need more TLC. Start by gently dissolving any eye looks with an eye makeup remover. Shake it up, apply it to a cotton pad, and watch it work its magic on removing even the toughest eyeliners.

Next melt the day away with the Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, a rich balm that transforms into a luxe oil. Its milky texture seamlessly rinses makeup off, leaving your skin smooth and soft. Now that we’ve given you the full skincare and makeup lineup, go out and create your own inspired looks.

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