The Best ‘70s Makeup Looks to Inspire Your Next Major Moment

The ’70s were a decade of contradictions, particularly on the makeup front. “It either landed on bronzed minimalist or bold-on-bold maximalist. There was no in-between,” says Chanel makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown. “On one hand, you had the birth of California sun-kissed with terracotta and bronze, and on the other, you had a decadent disco beauty.” (Think Farah Fawcett for coastal minimalist and Donna Summer and Debbie Harry for stage-ready maximal.)

Even when pared down, ’70s makeup was all about the “It” factor. “‘To me, ’70s makeup is all about keeping it natural with a more pronounced eye or lip,” says makeup artist Benjamin Puckey, effusing over shimmer shadows, generous lashes, and swirls of warming bronzer. For era inspiration, Puckey looks to Women from photographer Francesco Scavullo, which features makeup by the legendary Way Bandy. “I’ve always been into the ’70s style of makeup because the looks are so timeless and feminine—from the classic winged-out eyeshadow to the simplicity of browny nude lips to the cool vibe of freckles and feathery lashes.” 

Meet Our Expert

• Tasha Reiko Brown is a Chanel makeup artist based in Los Angeles.

• Benjamin Puckey is a makeup artist and the global color director for Clé de Peau based in New York.

The best aspect of ’70s makeup trends? Their potential for a modern reimagining. From brick-red lips with a high-gloss finish to saturated shadows and shimmering sheens, these eight throwback makeup looks continue to turn heads.

Tawny Warmth

Let’s start with the foundational shades. From lids to lips, browns and beiges reigned throughout the decade, the neutrals working their way into virtually every standout aesthetic. “For the ‘70s-inspired palette, I go for warm browns, beiges, and champagne highlights, with occasional pops of shimmery pastel brights,” says Puckey (we’ll get to the latter later). The makeup artist adds that glosses in neutral hues are a staple in his kit, while Cle de Peau Beauté’s Eye Color Quads provide the necessary shadows for a tawny-touched look. Between the rise of latte makeup, facial tanning mists, and bronzing drops, embodying the ’70s summery aesthetic has never been simpler—or safer.

Shimmering Finishes

You can’t talk ‘70s glamour without mention of that disco ball shine. “The [’70s] look is defined by the shimmery shades on eyes,” says Puckey. Choosing the correct amount of glitz and glimmer is all down to your taste: channel Euphoria and press on some gemstones, sample sheer and subtle shimmer, or go for full-tilt metallics. “Chanel’s Stylo Yeaux in Or Antique and Gris Graphite are beautiful gold and silver budge-proof metallics that stay put and feel perfect for disco-inspired looks,” says Reiko Brown.

Bold Eyeshadow

“The return of bold colors in eyeshadows is very exciting to me,” says Reiko Brown. “I think with the rise of tutorials and education-based TikToks, we got very into the technique of makeup for a bit, and this to me signals the return to the fun of beauty.” Reiko Brown suggests sticking with shades in the same color family for a lid look that makes a major statement while remaining harmonized and seamless.

Feathered Lashes

“All aspects of ’70s beauty demand that the lashes pop,” says Reiko Brown. “My favorite is the buildable thickness of Chanel Inimitable Extreme. From a clean coat to spiked lashes, this builds beautifully and remains put.” For his part, Puckey builds a feathered lashline with the help of Victoria Beckham's Vast Lash Mascara.

Bare-Faced Beauty

“The California bare-faced look, made popular in the ’70s as the antithesis to the disco trend, has returned,” says Reiko Brown. “This look is as close to the raw skin as possible.” For a touch of sculpting or coverage, Reiko Brown suggests reaching for Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder. “You can use your exact match for a satin coverage or just drop down a shade for the perfect dose of natural warmth to sculpt your face,” she says. Finish with a swirl of terracotta blush—and perhaps a few faux freckles.

Coral Nude Pouts

Brick reds, corals, browns, and nudes colored ’70s lips, and the go-to hues still find a place in today’s rotation. “Glossy beige and brown lipgloss or a beautiful warm brick red are still staples in my makeup kit,” says Puckey. And while the era’s shades are strong enough to stand alone, glossy finishes up the glamour factor. “For a time, the ultra-high glossy lip was written off as a high-maintenance beauty look,” says Reiko Brown. “With new education around makeup and the change and expansion of lip color formulations, this look can now be touch-up-free when correctly layering textures.”

Smoked Liner

“Seeing the winged smokey eyes of Debbie Harry on her Blondie album covers as a kid probably got me into makeup. They were a work of art!” says Puckey. “Build this eye makeup look by first applying and then blending out the pencil as a base for your eyeshadow. Don’t forget to line the water line with a classic black pencil—my favorite pencil for this technique is Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal.”

Playful Pastels

As mentioned by Puckey, pops of pastel lend saccharine color to a ‘70s-inspired look. Layer a soft shade over lids, opt for a kittenish flick of lemon yellow or baby blue, or try artful diffusions of your favorite shades. The want extends to the cheeks, too, where the decade’s bronzes and nudes can be traded for dustings of petal pink, blended high on the cheekbones for a truly referential moment.

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