How to Apply 1960s Style Eye Makeup

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
  2. 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]
    3. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Eyes

PDF download Download Article
  1. [3]
  3. 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]
    • 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.
  4. 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]
  5. Make it look neat. (Before the next step, if you want, you may apply false lashes)
  6. If you want, you can use an eyelash curler(preferably one that has been designed to give volume and lengthen lashes).
  7. 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]
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. This can be very tricky unless you have experience. If possible, try having someone with a steady hand apply the lashes for you.
    11. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Optional For Eyes:

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
  2. For a less dramatic alternative, you can draw on smaller, closer together eyelashes that all go in the direction of your outer eye corner.
    3. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Lips

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
    • 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.

Quiz Pack: We’ve handpicked these quizzes just for you.

You’ve read the article, now get personalized advice with wikiHow Quizzes. Each quiz is carefully researched and even endorsed by experts. Have fun and get the expert advice you need!
1
What Makeup Should I Wear Quiz
2
Dear Peachie Makeup Quiz
3
What Skin Type Do I Have Quiz

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What makeup brands did they use back in the '60s?
    Gibbycassie
    Community Answer
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How do I create a clean eyebrow?
    Community Answer
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 18
  • Question
    What color/shade of matte lipstick is ideal or perfect for a 1960's look?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 11
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If you must use an eyelash curler, be careful, or you will lose lashes.
        Thanks
        Helpful 78 Not Helpful 16
      • 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.
        Thanks
        Helpful 65 Not Helpful 15
      • Don't overdo the eyeliner. It should just keep simple.
        Thanks
        Helpful 63 Not Helpful 19
      • Be careful when applying the eyeshadow and try to prevent fallout.
        Thanks
        Helpful 54 Not Helpful 16
      • 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.
        Thanks
        Helpful 63 Not Helpful 21
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Moisturizer
      • Brown or black mascara that both lengthens and thickens your eyelashes
      • Brown or black liquid or cream eyeliner (You could also use a pencil)
      • Two shades of eyeshadow, one lighter and one darker
      • Powder
      • Eye makeup remover for afterwards
      • Eyelash curler (optional)
      • False lashes (also optional)
      • Matte lipstick. Preferably a pink, or a red if you're going for more dramatic.
      • Just a bit of a pink blusher. Not a lot.


      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Apply Eye Makeup for Deep Set Eyes
      How to
      Reduce Puffy Eyes
      How to
      Apply Bronzer
      How to
      Make Eyebrow Tint at Home
      How to
      Get Smokey Eyes With Makeup
      How to
      Make Your Eyes Look Good Without Makeup
      How to
      Do Black Smokey Eyes
      How to
      Do a Cat Eye on Round Eyes
      How to
      Apply Nude Eye Makeup
      How to
      Do Black Eye Makeup
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DswDBjf4XmA
      2. ↑ https://metro.co.uk/2016/08/01/5-steps-to-follow-for-a-60s-makeup-look-5996551/
      3. ↑ https://glamourdaze.com/history-of-makeup/1960s
      4. ↑ https://glamourdaze.com/history-of-makeup/1960s
      5. ↑ https://glamourdaze.com/history-of-makeup/1960s
      6. ↑ https://glamourdaze.com/history-of-makeup/1960s
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9THHOJ7Y0w
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9THHOJ7Y0w

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 396,125 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • David Ramirez

        Apr 23, 2018

        "I'm doing a 1960s project and this site was the key to getting an A."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement