80s New Wave Makeup : Step By Step Tutorial

The 80s were all about bold beauty, bright colors, and fearless self-expression! From vivid lips to dramatic eyeshadow and voluminous hair, this decade embraced a more-is-more approach to makeup, making it one of the most iconic eras in beauty history.

Celebrity makeup artist Sofia Tilbury has reimagined the ultimate 80s-inspired makeup look, capturing the vibrancy and confidence of the time. Think electrifying eyeshadows, daring blush draping, and statement-making hues that defined the era.

Explore the beauty secrets behind these high-impact looks and unleash your inner 80s icon—because when it comes to makeup, sometimes bigger, brighter, and bolder is better!

80s Makeup Looks: A Bold and Colorful Era

The 1980s redefined modern makeup, embracing bold colors, daring styles, and an unapologetic love for excess. It was a decade where bigger was better, whether it was makeup, hair, or fashion. Icons of the time were style chameleons and risk-takers, constantly pushing the boundaries of beauty trends.

Nothing about 80s makeup was subtle—it was all about statement-making, high-impact looks worn with total confidence. Vibrant colors dominated the scene, from neon eyeshadows and colored mascaras to electric eyeliner that made eyes pop. Lipstick shades like fuchsia, plum, and bubblegum pink created vivid, lacquered pouts that were impossible to ignore.

Blush was another signature element of 80s beauty, applied liberally and dramatically for a lifted, dynamic effect. Hot pinks and fiery reds swept across the cheeks, extending towards the temples in a technique known as blush draping. This colorful “blushscape” often blended into eyeshadow and even the hairline, making it a true statement feature of the decade.

The 80s were a fearless era of self-expression, where makeup wasn’t just about enhancing beauty—it was about making an impact.

How to Achieve the Ultimate 80s Makeup Look

Darlings, channel the bold, vibrant energy of the 80s with a high-impact makeup look! Follow along with celebrity makeup artist Sofia Tilbury as she brings the electric colors and daring styles of the decade to life.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before applying makeup, it’s important to prep your skin with hydrating skincare products. This helps your makeup go on smoothly and gives your skin a fresh, glowing look.

Start with a gentle toner to refine your pores and soften your skin. Next, apply eye cream to hydrate and brighten the under-eye area. Massage a few drops of serum into your skin for extra hydration and a youthful glow. Finish with a lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin soft and refreshed before moving on to makeup.

Now, your skin is ready for the bold and vibrant 80s makeup look!

Step 2: Brighten and Even Out Your Skin

Now that your skin is prepped, it’s time to add glow and correct any uneven tones for a smooth, radiant base.

Start by applying a glow-boosting product like a liquid illuminator on the high points of your face (cheekbones, nose, and forehead). Blend it out using a makeup brush or sponge for a natural, dewy finish.

Next, use a color-correcting concealer to brighten dark circles and even out any dull areas. A peach-toned concealer works great for neutralizing darkness under the eyes.

This step helps create a fresh, luminous complexion, setting the stage for your bold 80s makeup look!

Step 3: Create a Flawless Base

Since 80s makeup is all about bold colors, having a smooth, even base helps your eyeshadows, blushes, and lipsticks stand out.

Start by buffing in a medium-coverage foundation with a makeup brush or sponge to create a radiant, even complexion. Then, apply concealer under your eyes and around your mouth, blending upwards to give your face a lifted effect.

To set your makeup, lightly press a translucent powder onto your T-zone and under-eye area to control shine and keep everything in place.

💡 Pro Tip: If you love a bright, lifted under-eye look, use a brightening pressed powder to add extra light and give your complexion a soft, glowing finish—like a built-in beauty filter!

Now, your base is ready for the colorful magic of the 80s!

Step 4: Build a Bold, Blown-Out Crease

To get that signature 80s eye makeup look, start with a vibrant cream eyeshadow as a base—go for a punchy pink shade to make the colors pop!

Next, apply a deep purple eyeshadow to define the crease. This blown-out, dramatic effect was a must-have in the 80s and adds bold dimension to the eyes.

Once you’ve perfected the shape, blend the outer corners upwards and outwards towards your temples using a soft blending brush. This technique creates that lifted, fierce 80s glam look!

Now you’re ready for even more eye-catching drama!

Step 5: Define Your Eyes with Smokey Shadow

While bright, bold colors steal the show in 80s eye makeup, adding darker shades helps to define and intensify the look.

Use a dark eyeshadow (like a deep plum or smoky brown) and an angled eyeliner brush to trace along your upper and lower lash line. This adds depth and drama, giving your eyes a smokey, after-dark feel that was a staple of the era.

Blending the edges softly will keep the look bold yet seamless, making your 80s-inspired eyes even more striking!

Step 6: Add Shimmer to the Brow Bone and Inner Corners

Makeup is all about playing with light and shadow, and 80s eye makeup wouldn’t be complete without a touch of shimmer and sparkle!

To brighten and open up your eyes, apply a shimmering eyeshadow to the brow bone and inner corners. A golden or champagne shade works perfectly to add that disco-inspired glow.

For extra radiance, sweep a glittery eyeshadow across your lids using a soft blending brush. This will give your 80s makeup a dazzling, party-ready finish—perfect for a night out, a roller rink, or even the runway!

Step 7: Add a Pop of Color with Eyeliner

The 80s were all about bold, playful colors, and a vibrant eyeliner is the perfect finishing touch to make your eye makeup stand out!

Choose a bright, velvety eyeliner like deep purple, electric blue, or emerald green to complement your eyeshadow. A rich violet shade pairs beautifully with smokey purples for a striking, eye-catching effect.

To apply, glide the liner as close to your lash line as possible, keeping it thin for a subtle pop or layering for a bolder, more dramatic look. This fun, colorful detail gives your 80s makeup that extra flair!

Step 8: Go Big with Bold Lashes

Mascara is the finishing touch that ties your 80s eye makeup together! And since more is more, don’t be shy—layer it on for dramatic, exaggerated lashes.

For a true 80s effect, use a volumizing and lifting mascara to create long, full lashes that stand out. Apply multiple coats, focusing on stretching and lifting the lashes for a wide-eyed look.

For extra impact, choose a deep black mascara to contrast against the colorful eyeshadows and liners, making your eyes pop even more. Now, your 80s eye look is complete—bold, bright, and totally unforgettable!

Step 9: Bold, Bushy Brows

In the 80s, brows were just as bold as the rest of the makeup! To recreate the thick, statement brow look, use a fine-tip brow pencil to fill in any sparse areas with light, hair-like strokes.

Focus on defining the tail of your brows for structure, then brush up the inner portion to create that full, fluffy 80s effect. The key is to make them look natural yet bold, complementing your dramatic eye makeup!

Step 10: Bright, Statement Lips

No 80s makeup look is complete without a vivid, bold lip! Whether you prefer classic red, hot pink, or deep berry, choose a high-impact shade to make your lips stand out.

Start by lining and slightly overlining your lips with a matching lip liner to enhance their shape. Then, apply a satin-finish lipstick in a bright, punchy color like fuchsia or berry purple for the ultimate 80s pout perfection!

Step 11: Iconic 80s Blush

Blush was the star of 80s makeup—bold, bright, and unapologetically dramatic! To achieve that classic sculpted look, start with a small amount of liquid contour for subtle definition, but let blush steal the show.

Apply two dots of liquid blush on the apples of your cheeks for a glowing flush, then layer a powder blush on top to intensify the color. Use a fluffy brush to sweep the blush from the hollows of your cheeks up to your temples, blending seamlessly for that signature 80s blush draping effect.

With pink, red, and berry shades meshing together, your cheeks will be lifted, sculpted, and full of 80s magic!

Step 12: The Finishing Touches

Darlings, your 80s makeup masterpiece is almost complete! The final step is to lock it all in so your bold, vibrant look stays flawless all day (or night)!

Spritz a long-lasting setting spray over your face to help your makeup stay in place, look smooth, and stay fresh. A light mist will keep everything from your bold eyeshadow to your sculpted blush and statement lips looking perfect—just like an 80s icon!

Now you’re ready to rock your 80s glam with confidence!