Iconic Makeup Trends: A Century of Celebrity Beauty Evolution

It’s no secret that makeup trends have evolved significantly over the past century. Just take a look at how we used to do our makeup not too long ago! Yes, I’m looking at your ━ 2016 eyebrows and cut crease. However, the changes that we have noticed in the last couple of decades aren’t only the results of advancements in the beauty industry. They are also a reflection of the changes in our society, beauty standards, and the celebrities that defined those eras. So, let’s take a journey through time to explore some of the most iconic makeup trends of the last 100 years and the celebrities who defined them.

1920s: The Flapper Era ━ Bold and Dramatic

Let’s go back to the Roaring Twenties. Of course, this was the era of the absolutely iconic flapper girl. Actresses like Clara Bow and Louise Brooks epitomized this era with their dramatic, smoky eyes, dark, cupid’s bow lips, and heavily rouged cheeks. And makeup wasn’t just about looking good. It was a rebellion against the previous conservative norms, symbolizing newfound freedom and liberation. Mass-produced cosmetics were introduced as well, which made it so much easier for ordinary women to experiment with it and use it as a form of self-expression. The smoky eye, achieved with dark kohl and shadow, contrasted sharply with the pale complexion achieved through heavy powdering. Meanwhile, lips were painted in deep reds and purples, giving an almost vampish appeal. This era was bold, brave, and so iconic! Honestly, I’m waiting for a flapper girl makeup comeback.

1930s: Hollywood Glamour ━ Sculpted Elegance

Fast forward to the 1930s — we saw a shift towards more refined and sculpted beauty, heavily influenced by Hollywood’s Golden Age. Stars like Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich popularized thin, highly-arched eyebrows, soft, velvety skin, and dark, sultry lips. The emphasis was on creating a flawless, sophisticated look that exuded elegance. We also see huge advancements in the makeup industry! Liquid foundations, colored powder foundations, and just a wider variety of colors and textures helped women achieve a glamorous aesthetic. Also, this was the start of contouring — dark powders were used to enhance the bone structure, while lighter were used as subtle highlights. Finally, the lips, painted in deep reds or maroons, were less about boldness and more about creating a perfect, full pout.

1940s: Wartime Simplicity ━ Pure Femininity

During the 1940s, the realities of World War II led to a more practical approach to beauty. With many resources diverted to the war effort, it’s no surprise that a lot of women embraced a simpler, more natural look. Actresses like Rita Hayworth and Lauren Bacall also helped popularize this aesthetic. Kind of reminiscent of the “clean girl aesthetic” of today, right? You could see a lot of natural-looking eyebrows, soft eyeshadows, and red lips that added a touch of glamour without being overly extravagant. The emphasis was on enhancing natural beauty rather than creating a heavily made-up look. Women used what they had more creatively, while also getting creative with DIY beauty treatments. The overall aesthetic was understated elegance, with a focus on maintaining a polished, feminine appearance despite the numerous hardships.

1950s: The Golden Age of Glamour ━ Classic Pin-Up Look

The post-war era of the 1950s brought a return to glamour and femininity in beauty trends. Icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn defined this decade with their perfectly coiffed hair, winged eyeliner, and bold red lips. The goal was to create a look that is polished and attractive, while also being effortlessly glamorous. Also, the beauty industry advanced as well. This means that products such as liquid eyeliner and eyebrow pencils made the classic pin-up makeup look widely available. Foundation also became more sophisticated, providing a perfect canvas for the bold lips and defined brows that characterized this makeup era.

1960s: The Mod Revolution ━ Edgy Youthfulness

The 1960s were all about breaking boundaries and embracing youth culture. British model Twiggy became the face of this decade with her iconic pixie haircut, dramatic eye makeup, and pale lips. Another poster child for the 60s era became French actress Brigitte Bardot. The focus was on big, bold eyes with heavy eyeliner, mascara, and false lashes, creating a doll-like appearance. The mod look, characterized by its edgy and avant-garde style, was a stark departure from the previous decade’s glamour. The 60s were all about, rebellion, experimentation, and self-expression. Eyes were the central focus, and mascara and eyeliner were an absolute staple. White eyeliner on the waterline and exaggerated lower lashes drawn below the natural lash line were key techniques. When it comes to the lips, they were often kept nude or pale to keep the attention on the eyes. This style has survived every decade after the 60s and is still considered glamorous and sexy. So, Bardomania continues on!

1970s: The Disco Era ━ Bold and Colorful Glam

The 1970s were all about self-expression and embracing bold, vibrant colors. Disco queens like Donna Summer and Cher popularized dramatic eye shadows in super bright colors, glitter, and glossy lips. The era’s makeup was playful and extravagant, and the main goal was to have fun with it. The rise of new makeup brands and products allowed for greater creativity and experimentation. But the use of bold colors and glitter was not just limited to the eyes; lips and even cheeks saw a touch of sparkle. This was a time of maximalism in makeup, where more was definitely more. Dramatic eye looks were paired with glossy lips, making you shine like a disco ball.

1980s: The Power Decade ━ Bold & Confident

The 1980s were bold and unapologetic. So, no surprise — the makeup trends of this era were too! Stars like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper led the way with bright, neon eyeshadows, bold blush, and very vivid lip colors. Heavy contouring and defined brows were also hallmarks of this era. The goal was to make a statement with your makeup look. Just think about Madonna and her bold and confident outlook on life. Contouring was taking a step further — it was dark and dramatic, making the face look sculpted. And blush was also used for this purpose — it wasn’t about looking flushed. It was about adding a bold stripe of pink or peach to the cheek. And what matches perfectly with this? Neon green or blue eyeshadow, of course.

1990s: The Grunge and Minimalism ━ Natural, Effortless, Cool

Of course, we have to mention the 90s! This was certainly a very iconic era in the world of makeup! However, what makes it so interesting is that there were two approaches — grunge and minimalism. Celebrities like Kate Moss epitomized the decade’s grunge look with her natural, almost undone makeup, featuring muted tones, smoky eyes, and nude lips. On the other hand, stars like Gwyneth Paltrow embraced minimalism with clean, fresh faces and subtle makeup. Either way, the beauty industry stepped away from the excesses of the ’80s. The grunge look was characterized by a deliberate effort to appear effortlessly chic. Similarly, the minimalist trend focused on enhancing natural features and a healthier and more natural aesthetic.

The 2000s: The Y2K Glam ━ The Shimmering, Pop Princess

The early 2000s were characterized by glitter, gloss, and pop princesses. Celebrities like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera popularized shimmering eyeshadows, glossy lips, and bronzed skin. This era’s makeup was fun, youthful, and lighthearted. Looking back at it, the makeup was wild — but it was also so playful! The beauty industry was thriving, there were plenty of new brands — both high-end and drugstore, and there were also new formulations that we could play with. Products such as lip glosses with high shine and shimmering body lotions were all the rage. Frosted eyeshadows in icy blues and pinks were paired with glossy, plump lips to create a look that was both playful and glamorous. Body glitter and shimmering body lotions added an extra touch of sparkle, making every part of the body part of the beauty statement.

2010s: The Influencer Era ━ KKW Contour

Ahh, finally the 2010s. This was the decade when I started using makeup, so it’s also the one that’s the closest to my heart. Who are the first people I think about when I hear the term 2010 makeup? Of course, no one other than Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner. The Kardashians singlehandedly popularized the heavily contoured look, Instagram full brows, matte lips, and flawless skin. This makeup era was all about precision, perfection, and a full-glam look. Even if it wasn’t a full-gram occasion. Contour became a mainstream makeup trend, and the only lipsticks we wanted to wear were matte! And don’t get me started on those overly sharp and pointy eyebrows. I still cringe when looking back at pictures of myself from this time period.

2020s: The Diverse and Inclusive Beauty ━ The All-Inclusive Approach

Finally, we have arrived in the 2020s. This decade is all about embracing a more diverse and inclusive approach to beauty. So, who are the makeup influencers of today? Probably the numerous smaller content creators on TikTok. Of course, there are also some Hollywood names that we can add to the list, such as Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Beer, and Hailey Bieber. The focus has shifted towards embracing natural beauty and using makeup products that are infused with skincare ingredients. The idea is to look like the best, healthiest version of yourself. Powders aren’t as popular anymore. Instead, we’re using creams and liquids. The goal isn’t to look matte anymore, but glowy and dewy.

I truly wonder, what the 2030s will look like;)