The 1960s was a transformative decade for fashion, makeup, and hair.
It gave birth to bold, experimental beauty looks that continue to inspire today.
From the dramatic eyes of Twiggy to the voluminous hair of Brigitte Bardot, the 60’s makeup and hair celebrated both individuality and glamour.
Let’s take a look at the defining makeup and hair trends of the ’60s and how you can recreate them with a modern twist.
Table of Contents
60’s Makeup and Hair Trend #1: The Eyes Have It
One of the most iconic features of ’60s makeup was the heavy emphasis on the eyes.
Models like Twiggy made the doe-eyed look famous, characterized by thick eyeliner, exaggerated lashes, and shadow that emphasized the crease.
To replicate this look today, start with a neutral eyeshadow base.
Using a liquid eyeliner like Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, draw a thick line along your upper lash line, flicking it out for a slight cat-eye effect.
False lashes were essential in the ’60s, with women often layering multiple pairs for a dramatic effect.
While you might not want to go to that extent, a good pair of falsies or a voluminous mascara like Maybelline’s Lash Sensational can help you achieve that fluttery, wide-eyed look. For an added nod to Twiggy, you can draw small strokes under your lower lash line to mimic the effect of bottom lashes.
60’s Makeup and Hair Trend #2: Sculpted Brows
Brows in the 1960s were structured yet soft, complementing the heavy eye makeup without overpowering it.
Audrey Hepburn’s brows were a hallmark of this era, defined but with a natural thickness.
A modern brow pencil like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz can help you fill in your brows lightly, giving you that precise but not overdrawn look.
Pale, Matte Skin
In contrast to today’s glowing complexions, the 1960s favored a matte, velvety finish for the skin. Foundation was used to create a flawless base, with little to no emphasis on blush or bronzer. You can achieve this with a foundation like Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, which provides a full-coverage matte finish, perfect for emulating that airbrushed ’60s look.
Soft, Nude Lips
With all the drama around the eyes, lips were kept soft and neutral.
Pale, nude shades of pink and beige were the go-to colors, often paired with a matte finish.
To modernize this look, try using MAC’s Lipstick in Velvet Teddy for a beautiful nude shade that complements various skin tones while staying true to the ’60s aesthetic.
Bouffants and Beehives
When it comes to 1960s hair, volume was everything.
The beehive, popularized by stars like Brigitte Bardot, was a towering updo that defined the era.
To achieve that level of volume today, start by backcombing sections of your hair at the crown and spraying them with a texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.
This will give your hair the grip and lift it needs for a beehive or a voluminous half-up, half-down style.
For a more casual, but still glamorous look, consider channeling the soft, voluminous waves worn by Bardot. These styles were tousled yet full of life.
A large-barrel curling iron and a product like Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray can help you create those perfectly imperfect waves that still hold a little structure.
Mod and Pixie Cuts
Not all ’60s hair was about volume, though.
The mod look, popularized by British youth culture, saw a shift toward short, sleek styles like the iconic pixie cut. Supermodel Jean Shrimpton and actress Mia Farrow both rocked the pixie cut, making it a statement of rebellion and modernity. If you want to embrace the pixie today, it’s all about precision and texture. Ask your stylist for a choppy, layered pixie that can be styled with Bumble and Bumble Sumotech, a product that adds texture without weighing the hair down.