While some vintage trends are making a comeback, certain fads are meant to stay in the past. The 1970s were all about experimentation, from bold fashion moves to flashy beauty choices packed with glitter and vibrant looks. While some nailed the assignment, others missed the mark. Take a walk down memory lane with us and explore the weirdest beauty moments from the 1970s.
1. Frosted eye shadow and metallic lips
Frosted eyeshadow has been a staple in several eras of the past, and we never quite know what to make of it. Compared to the more subtle looks of today, these frosty (and easily creased) looks are reminiscent of a shimmery alien and make eyelids look puffy. The same went for metallic lipsticks — they tried to look futuristic, but had a dried and cracked effect.
2. Feathered hair
We can’t all look like Farrah Fawcett, but the people of the 70s were determined to rock the soft and flippy wing-inspired look of the actress. While this look might be cute post-blowout, the hours of curling, teasing, and spraying were ultimately flattened out just hours later.
3. Pencil-thin brows
Thick brows weren’t popular until recently. In the past, thin brows were all the rage, and many women plucked them into oblivion. Back then, it was seen as elegant, but the reality of over-plucking left many with sparse-looking brows that never came back.
4. Mismatched lip liner
We’re not anti-lip liner, but in the 1970s, it was trendy to wear a bold lip liner that didn’t match lipstick. Think dark liner with light lip shades for a startling and harsh contrast with an unfinished effect. While the goal was to make the lips look fuller, this look really needed some better blending techniques.
5. Shag haircuts
Rock stars and normal people alike loved the shag haircut, which was all about messy-chic, short layers with a bedhead style. But unless it was constantly styled and coiffed with products, it didn’t look so great on everyone, and looked messier than chic.
6. Glitter everywhere
The 1970s were all about disco, and there was no disco without glitter. Glitter cover hairdos, makeup, and clothes. It was worn on lips, lids, and cheeks, but had a tendency to get stuck on everything. Rather than the glam fairy effect, it looked like a not-so-cute glitter explosion.
7. Heavy blush
When it’s not blended well, aggressive application of blush can make you look like a caricature, and unfortunately, that’s what happened in the 70s, with bright pinks streaking the cheeks and making it look like a toddler applied it. With blush, you’ve always got to blend, blend, blend!
8. Perms
In theory, a perm will give you voluminous, bouncy curls. In reality, the harsh chemicals involved often left hair looking dry and frizzy. And perms don’t look the same on everyone. For many people, perms fried their ends and left an uneven texture.
9. Twiggy lashes
In the 60s, Twiggy made everyone swoon with her lashes, but it sparked an unfortunate trend in the 70s where heavy mascara led to a clumpy, stuck-together look that was more frightening than cute.
10. Headbands on the forehead
We love a good headband when it pulls the hair out of the face, but the bohemian trend of a low-slung headband was everywhere in the 70s. It flattens your hair, leaves lines on the skin, and doesn’t channel the hippie energy in a carefree way, instead looking forced.
11. Matching your eye shadow to your outfit
Too much matching can absolutely be a bad thing. In the 70s, people often wore a bright green or blue eyeshadow and matched it with a dress that was the same color. Instead of looking chic, it ended up having a costume effect.
12. Bowl cut hair
The bowl cut was more popular in the 1970s than it should have been. Who wants a helmet of hair? Apparently, many people in this decade want to wear a modern and low-maintenance look. Today, the bowl cut is associated with an awkward childhood photo rather than the height of style.
