7 Groovy ‘70s Makeup Trends That Are Popular Today

The groovy ‘70s were an iconic makeup era, characterized by bright and sparkly eyeshadow, dramatic graphic eyeliner and an abundance of statement lashes. Since history repeats itself, we're not surprised to see ‘70s-inspired makeup looks making their way onto our social media feeds today. In fact, we welcome it — natural skin, glitter accents, rosy cheeks and all — because ‘70s makeup is just as wearable as it is charming. 

Whether it’s a fun new way to revamp your daily makeup routine, or you want to dress up as a disco-beauty for Halloween, we can all pay homage to the disco era with our makeup routines. Below, check out our favorite ‘70s makeup trends that are just as iconic today as they were many moons ago.

The Most Popular ‘70s Makeup Trends to Rock Now

Many elements of the decadent disco era have made their way into our present-day beauty routines. What can we say — the strong case that they make for color, fresh skin, bold lashes and glossy lips have us smitten. These easy-to-do ‘70s makeup trends will switch-up your routine. 

1. Dewy Foundation

In the ‘70s, matte foundation took a backseat to a glowing and natural complexion. Not only did it represent a shift in the way people were doing their makeup, but it served as the perfect backdrop to showcase the graphic eyeliner and glittery eyeshadow that is so synonymous with ‘70s beauty looks.

The best way to achieve healthy-looking, glowing skin is with a dewy foundation and a beaming highlighter. To recreate the look, use L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation and blend it onto the skin with a makeup sponge for a natural, glowing finish. After you’ve perfected your base, finish by tapping on liquid highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Skin Enhancer, onto your cheekbones, chin and Cupid’s bow.

2. Bold Bottom Lashes

When it comes to mascara, we often focus on making our upper lashes the star of the show. If we’ve learned anything from the ‘70s, it’s that bold lashes are a moment — especially bottom lashes. Grab your favorite mascara — we love the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Waterproof Mascara — and carefully apply it to your bottom lashes. A waterproof formula is a great way to get bold bottom lashes sans smudging.

3. Sparkly Eyes

While it may not be for everyone, sparkly eyes and their enticing and incandescent twinkle embody ‘70s makeup to the core —  after all, it was unofficially known as the disco era. Our favorite way to recreate a sparkly eye is by using L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup. Whether you want to wear a single swipe all over the lids or use it to make your smoky eye pop, it’s the perfect amount of glow for any occasion. 

4. Rosy, Flushed Cheeks

Healthy, radiant skin doesn’t end with your foundation. So naturally, it’s no surprise that rosy, flushed cheeks were a ‘70s makeup staple to pair with your glowing complexion. To achieve the perfect flush, grab a vivid blush, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush in Confident Pink, and apply it to the apples of your cheeks. The soft matte finish offers a bright pop of color that perfectly highlights your cheeks without emphasizing texture. 

5. Dramatic Winged Eyeliner

While the cat eye makeup trend may have started in the ‘60s, women in the ‘70s embraced statement eyeliner and opted for bold and dramatic eye looks, too. For an easy-to-use liner, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner. The precise felt tip effortlessly glides onto your lids for a controlled application making it great for beginners. It even comes in shades like Blue, Green and Gray to give your go-to black eyeliner  much-needed rest.

6. Pastel Eyeshadow

If glittery eyeshadow feels excessive, colorful eyeshadow is another ‘70s makeup mainstay you can try. Pastel eyeshadow can be a great place to start because it provides an intentional pop of color but the muted tones make it feel more wearable, especially if you don’t wear colorful eye makeup often. You can totally wear pastel eyeshadow in the daytime with a few coats of mascara or amp it up with a bit of eyeliner for a nighttime look. For a pastel pop of color, we love L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Argentic and Mademoiselle Pink. 

7. Sheer Lips

When it came to lips, something simple was all you needed during this decade. After all, with so many bold eye makeup looks, sheer lips and glosses were the perfect way to balance out the face. Clear lip gloss, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Gloss Plump in Mirror, will be your best friend if you want to get in on this makeup trend. If you prefer the slip of a lip balm and a sheer wash of color, try L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract.

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Photo Credit: Sophie IG@/sophieguaman, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier