How to Apply 1960s Style Eye Makeup

Co-authored by JoAnn Solomon

Last Updated: August 8, 2024

Do you admire the minimalistic yet fresh and bright look of the makeup of the 1960s? Are your beauty idols Twiggy or Pattie Boyd? Follow this step-by-step tutorial to get the look of the Swinging Sixties.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Face

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Also, if there is any dry skin on the area you will apply on, moisturize it with a thin non-oil based moisturizer. Makeup looks unpolished on top of flakes. If you choose to use foundation, use a light and thin one. Before you start this, you should also have no makeup on as well. This includes face makeup and mascara, before you start the makeup fun!^{[1]
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Not very much, you only want just a bit of color. Sixties makeup is all about the eyes, so use face makeup sparingly. Be sure to pick the right shade. Smile as you apply this. Start out by dabbing, and once you apply the desired amount while smiling, smear in with the clean brush or your fingers/hand. Make sure both the cheeks have an even amount.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Eyes

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Trace your natural crease shape with a darker matte brown color. Use a small and stiff brush to trace, an eyeliner brush will do. This will define your eyes more. Blend it well with a small fluffier brush, but keep it dark.^{[4]
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- If you're going for a more theatrical Twiggy-like look, don't blend at all! Use a black gel liner, or liquid, trace your crease shape, let it set, and that's it. You can go back and refine the crease a bit, but keep it very sharp and neat looking.
With eyeliner, (liquid or gel if you have a steady hand, pencil if you haven't) slowly, with small movements, brush along your lash line. This is also known as 'feathering'.^{[5]
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Make it look neat. (Before the next step, if you want, you may apply false lashes)
If you want, you can use an eyelash curler(preferably one that has been designed to give volume and lengthen lashes).
Move the mascara wand in a zigzag pattern through your lashes from the base to the tip and wait at least 10 seconds between applying coats. This makes your lashes look thicker and longer. Do not try to put on too many layers of mascara as this may make your eyelashes clump together and look "spidery". If you are planning on drawing on your bottom eyelashes like Twiggy's, don't put on much mascara on your bottom lashes.^{[6]
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Check the overall effect in the mirror, and redo the eyeliner if you think it's necessary, but it shouldn't, if you do the eyeliner after the eyeshadow.
But generally, you should use eyelashes that are long and thick but still look somewhat natural. Use the appropriate eyelash glue. Some pairs of false eyelashes come with pre-packed glue but it is better if you buy a separate eyelash glue tube - the applicator is often 10 times more precise.
This can be very tricky unless you have experience. If possible, try having someone with a steady hand apply the lashes for you.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Optional For Eyes:

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Use short strokes. They should be spaced apart, shaped like upside down triangles, and they should be straight, not leaning in any particular direction. The last eyelash or two on your outer corner can go in that natural direction, though.^{[7]
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For a less dramatic alternative, you can draw on smaller, closer together eyelashes that all go in the direction of your outer eye corner.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Lips

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1
Apply a matte light pink or coral lipstick. Nude colored lipstick is great too, especially if you've done the eyes dramatically. If you're going for dramatic then you can perhaps put on a bit of gloss.^{[8]
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- Lipstick was quite bright or nude at the time, so red might be a bit too 1950s. If you don't like nude or light lipsticks, just wear a toned down lipstick close to your natural lip color.

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What makeup brands did they use back in the '60s?

Gibbycassie

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Popular brands in the 1960s were Max Factor, Covergirl, Maybelline, Elizabeth Arden, and Revlon, among others. As of 2018, all the brands are still sold in the United States except for Max Factor, which is sold overseas.

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How do I create a clean eyebrow?

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Take a bit of Vaseline and swipe it over the brow so that the hairs stick to your skin. Next, take an eyebrow brush and brush the brows so that they are going in the desired direction. It helps if you brush everything upward and outward first, then brush down the longer strays and the arch.

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What color/shade of matte lipstick is ideal or perfect for a 1960's look?

Cecilia Flores

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There weren't really any matte lipsticks in the 60's. There were four popular shades: bright blue-red, your-lips-but-better pink, red-orange, and peach-orange. Keep in mind that red is a timeless classic, so if you don't know what color to put with a historical look, go with red.

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Tips

Do not use any fancy mascara colors. Use only brown or black.

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Don't overdo it. The key is to keep the focus on the eyes, and keep all else minimal.

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Use a colour that compliments your colouring. If you have darker skin, try a coffee-gold shade on your eyelid.

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Warnings

If you must use an eyelash curler, be careful, or you will lose lashes.

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Do not use baby oil to remove eye makeup; the fragrance and other chemicals can damage your eyes. Pure vegetable oil (soybean, olive, corn, etc.) is fine, as long as you are not allergic to the main ingredient.

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Don't overdo the eyeliner. It should just keep simple.

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Be careful when applying the eyeshadow and try to prevent fallout.

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To put liner on the bottom, put it JUST below the lash line, then "fill out" the outer corner of your eye. Do NOT put it on the inside rim.

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