And the timing couldn’t be more intentional. According to Google Trends, searches for "70s makeup" have surged over 5000%, signaling a very clear pivot away from minimalism and back toward expressive, personality-driven beauty. It’s not about recreating the decade exactly—it’s about pulling the best parts forward and updating them for how we actually wear makeup now.
If you’re ready to lean into a little shimmer and self-expression again, this is your starting point. Ahead, pro makeup artists break down 11 iconic makeup looks from the '70s that making a comeback—and exactly how to wear them now.
'70s makeup wasn’t about perfect symmetry or precision—it was about energy, expression and a little bit of beautiful imperfection. As Amanda Gabbard, celebrity makeup artist and esthetician who has glammed the likes of Kamala Harris and Brooke Shields, explains, "skin was fresh, bright and real, while eyes or lips took the focus," creating a balance that felt effortless rather than overly constructed.
Celebrity makeup artistNatalie Dresher (who has worked with Campbell Puckett and Kouvr), echoes that sentiment, noting that the era was defined by "bold colors, washes of frost and experimenting with bold geometrical shapes and colors."
Related: 50 Things Only People Who Lived in the 1970s Will Remember
Which '70s Makeup Trends Are Making a Comeback?
High-placement blush is also resurfacing, lifting the face in a way that feels fresh and slightly sculpted, while defined lower lashes bring back that soft, wide-eyed '70s openness without heavy liner. The finish is kept easy with sheer, glossy lips that feel more lived-in than lacquered.
Even brown lipsticks are having a moment again, acting as a neutral base that still "deliver[s] a bit of color to the face" without overwhelming it. It’s that balance—shine without weight, color without heaviness—that’s defining the new wave of 1970s beauty.
The secret to making '70s makeup feel modern is restraint—don't overdo it. "If you pair too many '70s trends together it can start to look dated or costume-y," Dresher says, which is where most retro looks go wrong—they lean too literal instead of selective.
That idea of balance carries through every step of application. Lori Taylor Davis, Smashbox Global Pro Lead Artist, breaks it down simply: "The key is balance—keep one element retro, and the rest modern." That might mean glossy skin with a bold eye, or a disco-inspired lid paired with a clean nude lip.
Related: The Iconic ’60s Hairstyle That’s Making a Massive Comeback This Spring
11 Best '70s Makeup Looks, Updated for 2026
1. Best Frosted Pastel Eyes
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The trick is all in the blend—she recommends using cream or liquid shadows and diffusing the edges with a neutral tone so the color feels like a wash rather than a block. The result is playful, light-catching and exactly the kind of eye that feels nostalgic without looking stuck in the past.
Related: The Secret Trick to Shimmer Eyeshadow Over 50, According to Pro Makeup Artists
2. Best Glossy Nude Lips
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
The application stays soft—lined just enough for shape, a nude base for balance and gloss layered on top for that high-shine finish, with a subtle cupid’s bow overline to enhance fullness. The payoff is modern, fresh and endlessly wearable.
Related: These 2 Lipstick Shades Look Good on ‘Literally Everyone,’ According to a Pro Makeup Artist
3. Best Disco Blush
Doug Peters/PA Images via Getty Images
Cream formulas give that lived-in flush. And when topped with a soft powder or highlighter? The effect becomes multidimensional rather than flat. It’s sculpting, but with color instead of contour.
Related: This Blush Color Works on Everyone, According to a Celebrity Makeup Artist
4. Best Soft Smudged Smoky Eye
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for SXSW
The finish should feel lived-in, slightly blurred and intentionally undone—like it evolved throughout the night rather than being painted on once and left alone.
5. Best (Faux) Sun-Kissed Glow
Gilbert Flores/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty Images
Tinted moisturizer evens things out without masking skin and cream contour plus a soft highlight bring back warmth and dimension. The goal is bronzed dimension that mimics real life.
Related: 10 Best Skin Tints To Put Your Best Face Forward, According to Makeup Artists
6. Best Ultra-Defined Eyeliner
Gilbert Flores/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
Think precision at the lash line, subtle flicks that lift rather than drag and a finish that feels intentional but not overdrawn. The modern update keeps the graphic spirit of the decade, but pares it back so it enhances expression instead of overpowering it.
Related: I Tried Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal Eyeliner for 5 Months—Is It Worth the Hype?
7. Best Glitter Eyeshadow
JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images
The key is "anchoring shimmer on a primed, slightly tacky base" so it stays put and doesn’t migrate. From liquid liner to shimmer sticks layered over soft base tones, everything is built to catch light strategically rather than scatter it everywhere. The result is maximum shine, minimal mess and all the payoff of disco without the fallout drama.
8. Best High-Gloss Glam
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
And of course, lips are layered with high-shine gloss to tie everything together. You want your skin to look reflective in a way that feels dewy, not slippery.
9. Best Spiky Bottom Lashes
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Related: The 11 Mascaras That Actually Lengthen Lashes, Tested by Pro Makeup Artists
10. Best Glossy Plum Lip
JC Olivera/WWD via Getty Images
Instead of a strict outline, the color is pressed and blended so it fades slightly at the edges, creating that lived-in stain effect. A liner builds structure, while gloss layered on top keeps it juicy and dimensional rather than flat or matte. The result is rich without feeling heavy, moody without feeling strict—the kind of lip that looks better the more you move.
11. Best Bohemian Skin Look
Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images
Even base products are customized—foundation is often mixed with shimmer for a bronzy glow that melts into skin instead of sitting on top of it. Cream bronzer is swept across cheeks, temples and even eyelids for a cohesive, sun-warmed effect. It’s simple in the most intentional way possible—exactly what makes it feel so current.
Related: 7 Best '60s Makeup Looks, According to a Celebrity Makeup Artist
Sources:
Amanda Gabbard, celebrity makeup artist and estheticianNatalie Dresher, celebrity makeup artistLori Taylor Davis, Smashbox Global Pro Lead ArtistHence then, the article about 11 gorgeous 70s makeup looks updated for 2026 was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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