Makeup in the 1970s did not follow one single rule. Some women preferred a soft natural look with glossy lips and barely-there foundation, while others embraced bright eyeshadow, dramatic lashes, and the glittery glamour that became associated with disco.
The decade changed noticeably from beginning to end. Early 70s makeup often looked relaxed and understated, with earthy tones and a more natural finish. By the middle and late 70s, club culture and fashion magazines pushed makeup in a bolder direction. Shimmer, color, and stronger eye makeup became more common, especially for evenings out.
These five looks give a good sense of what 70s makeup actually looked like across the decade.
1. Frosted Blue Eyeshadow
Few makeup trends are more strongly linked to the 1970s than frosted blue eyeshadow. It appeared in magazines, on television, and in everyday life, especially in the middle of the decade.
The color could be soft and powdery or much brighter, depending on the occasion. Some women swept it across the whole lid, while others kept it concentrated on the upper eye with a lighter highlight near the brow bone. The frosted finish gave it a cool, almost icy appearance under artificial light.
This look was often paired with mascara, a pale lipstick, and fairly simple skin makeup. It could feel playful, fashionable, and slightly futuristic at the same time.
While blue eyeshadow is sometimes remembered as a cliché, it really was a familiar part of 70s beauty.
2. Earth-Tone Eyes and Soft Bronze Skin
Not all 70s makeup was colorful. A large part of the decade leaned in a softer, more natural direction.
Warm browns, muted golds, soft coppers, and tan shades became popular for eye makeup, especially during the first half of the decade. These tones worked well with the earthy colors found in 70s clothing, from suede jackets to printed maxi dresses.
Instead of a heavy, sculpted base, many women preferred a healthy, sun-kissed look. Skin often appeared warm rather than matte and flat, while blush was used gently to add color without looking too obvious.
This style suited the relaxed bohemian side of the 1970s and was easy to wear during the day. It looked polished without feeling overdone.
3. Long Lashes and Defined Eyes
The eyes remained the main focus of many 70s makeup looks, and long lashes played a big part in that.
Mascara was used generously, sometimes on both the upper and lower lashes, to create a wide-eyed effect. Eyeliner could be soft and smudged or more clearly defined, depending on the look. Some women lined the waterline or lower lash line to make the eyes appear larger and more dramatic.
Unlike the sharp, graphic liner styles that became popular in later decades, 70s eye definition often looked a little softer. The result was noticeable, but not always severe.
This kind of makeup worked well with both natural and dressier styles. A woman could wear defined lashes and eyeliner with neutral lips during the day or build on the same base for a more glamorous evening look.
4. Glossy Lips and a Fresh Face
A glossy lip was one of the easiest ways to create a recognizable 70s look.
Lip color often stayed on the softer side: peach, rose, coral, soft brown, or a natural pink were all common choices. Some women used clear gloss over lipstick, while others wore gloss on its own for a fresher finish.
The rest of the face was usually kept fairly balanced. Foundation was lighter than the heavier styles seen in some earlier and later decades, and the overall effect often looked youthful and uncomplicated.
This look appeared frequently in casual settings because it felt easy, wearable, and flattering. It matched the everyday side of 70s fashion far better than the more theatrical makeup remembered from disco culture.
5. Disco Shimmer and Evening Glamour
By the second half of the decade, makeup became bolder at night. Disco clubs encouraged a more glamorous look, and women often chose shimmer, shine, and stronger contrast for evenings out.
Silver, plum, charcoal, and jewel-toned shadows joined the softer colors already in use. Highlighter-like shimmer around the eyes became more noticeable, and lashes were often made fuller with extra mascara or false lashes. Lips could still be glossy, but sometimes appeared in stronger shades to match the outfit.
What made disco makeup different was the atmosphere it was designed for. It needed to catch the light and stand out in a nightclub, on a dance floor, or at a late-night party.
This was the more theatrical side of 70s beauty, but it grew naturally out of the same decade that also loved softer, more casual looks.
From understated earth tones to bright frosted lids and disco shimmer, 70s makeup covered much more ground than one stereotype suggests.
