-
1910: A Sheer Wash of Color
This was a decade of sheer fashion and behavior, one in which ladies avoided even the slightest bit of sun (tans were considered as trashy as obvious makeup). Women who wore any color usually stuck with just a bit of blush on the cheeks and lips, and the bold few who put makeup on their eyes dabbed just a sheer wash of gray, brown, or yellow-colored paste on their lids. -
Period: to
Timeline of Makeup Looks Throughout History
This timeline presents a plethora of unique and creative makeup trends and ideas that were found throughout history to be the most popular of that era. Most makeup looks were majorly effected from the history surrounding the time period, and therefore reflect such findings. -
The 1920s: Dark, Smoky Eyes
Inspired by the increased distribution of movies, expanded reach of cinema stars, and migration of Americans from farms to big cities, rings of dark shadow became the chic evening look of the era. To make eyes appear even deeper and darker, women caked on their mascara. Red or crimson lips and a highly coiffed bob finished the overall effect. -
The 1930s: Pencil-Thin Eyebrows
Those with money to spare often paired the anorexic brow look with pale pastel shadows (greens, pinks, purples, blues, or neutral tones) and a thin line of black eye pencil, overdrawn at the outer edges to elongate the eyes. Mascara, raspberry or maroon lips, and blush were also popular. -
The 1940s: Nearly Bare Eyes
War-fueled patriotism also had an effect on women's beauty habits: This decade saw pin-up girls come into existence, used on propaganda to further the idea of a beauty waiting at home. Defined eyes and bright red lipstick topped with shine-enhancing balm made for a beauty look meant to boost the morale of the forces. -
The 1950s: Winged Eyeliner
Actresses and fashionable women alike would follow her flirtatious and wickedly feminine lead, pairing winged black liner with equally elegant neutral shadow and pink or reddish-pink lips. The trend was also adapted by Monroe's fellow screen stars. -
The 1960s: Loads of Lashes
It didn't take long for other young women to adopt the wide-and-bright-eyed effect, characterized by extra-long false lashes made from human or synthetic hair along the upper and lower lids and tons of black mascara. The lower lashes were so dramatically dark and lengthy (verging on clumpy) that they resembled spiders' legs. -
The 1970s: Au Naturale
Like most cosmetics, eye makeup nearly disappeared from the faces of women in the 1970s: The look of the moment consisted of a little neutral shadow and barely there mascara. The urge to pare back can be credited to the cultural rise of hippies and anti-Vietnam War feelings, the women's liberation movement, and an interest in all that was natural. -
The 1980s: The More, the Better
Excess returned, and with disco music, star-studded clubs like Studio 54 celebrating eccentricity and hedonism, and a surging economy, women began to go for it with their eye makeup. Vibrant blues, pinks, purples, and shimmery golds were worn alone or all at once for a rainbow-like effect, extending up to the brow bone for serious impact. -
The 1990s: Minimalist Makeup
As if a backlash to the excess of the '80s, fashion designers dialed it way back in the following decade, celebrating sleek lines, neutral tones, and minimal accessorizing. The era's emerging starlets copied the less-is-more approach. -
The 2000s: Full, Lush Lashes
Things have never been the same, beauty-wise. In that single, solitary moment, women were sold on thick, full, feathery lashes (though the real fur used by the pop star attracted controversy and objections). -
The 2010s: Bold Brows
In 2012, a British model and socialite named Cara Delevingne modeled a stunning bold brow look. Models and the over-tweezed immediately started trying to undo whatever damage that had been done. The brow-obsessed dabbed hair regrowth ointments intended for the scalp across their faces, used lash conditioners to thicken what they had naturally.