1970s Natural Makeup Looks: Guide & Tutorials

1970s Natural Makeup Looks: A Guide & Tutorials

The 1970s was a decade of bold experimentation, especially in the world of fashion and beauty. While the era is often associated with dramatic disco looks and heavy eyeshadow, the 70s also saw a rise in natural makeup looks that emphasized a fresh, radiant complexion and understated elegance. If you're looking for a timeless and versatile makeup style, the 1970s offers a wealth of inspiration.

This guide will delve into the key elements of classic 70s natural makeup, provide step-by-step tutorials, and offer expert tips to recreate these looks. We'll explore the defining features of this style, from dewy skin to subtle eye accents, and highlight the products and techniques that will help you achieve the perfect 70s natural look.

Understanding the 1970s Natural Makeup Aesthetic

The 1970s natural makeup look was a departure from the heavily made-up trends of previous decades. It embraced a more minimalist approach, focusing on enhancing natural features rather than masking them. Key elements included:

Dewy, radiant skin: This was achieved with light foundation, cream blush, and highlighter.
Subtle eye makeup: Soft browns, peaches, and taupes were favoured over dramatic colours.
Defined brows: Natural brow shape was emphasized with brow powder or pencil.
Glossy lips: Sheer lip gloss or tinted balms provided a touch of colour and shine.

This look reflected the growing trend towards natural beauty and a sense of liberation from strict beauty standards. It was a celebration of individual features and a rejection of the artificiality of heavily applied makeup.

1970s Natural Makeup Tutorial: The Basics

Here's a step-by-step guide to achieve a classic 70s natural makeup look:

1. Prepare Your Skin:

Cleanse and moisturize: Start with a gentle cleanser and follow with a hydrating moisturizer suitable for your skin type.
Apply a light, hydrating primer: This will help smooth out your skin and create a smooth canvas for your makeup.

2. Achieve a Dewy Base:

Foundation: Apply a light, sheer foundation with your fingers, a brush, or a sponge. Choose a shade that matches your natural skin tone.
Concealer: Apply a lightweight concealer to any blemishes or dark circles.
Powder: Set your foundation and concealer lightly with a translucent powder.

3. Emphasize Your Eyes:

Eyeshadow: Use a matte brown or peach eyeshadow to add definition to your crease. Blend it out for a soft, natural look.
Eyeliner: For a subtle definition, use a brown or black eyeliner along your lash line. You can use a liquid liner for a more precise look or a pencil for a softer effect.
Mascara: Apply a coat or two of brown or black mascara to your upper lashes, focusing on thickening and lengthening.

4. Define Your Brows:

Shape: Brush your brows into shape using a spoolie brush.
Fill: Use a brow pencil or powder to lightly fill in any sparse areas, creating a natural, defined arch.

5. Add a Flush of Color:

Blush: Apply a creamy peach or rose-toned blush to the apples of your cheeks. Blend it out for a natural, healthy glow.
Highlighter: Use a light, shimmery highlighter to add a touch of radiance to your cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow.

6. Finish with a Subtle Lip:

Lip balm: Apply a tinted lip balm or a sheer lip gloss for a touch of colour and moisture.

7. Set Your Look:

Setting spray: Mist your face with a setting spray to lock your makeup in place.

70s Natural Makeup - Advanced Techniques

For a more refined 70s natural look, explore these advanced techniques:

1. The "No Makeup" Makeup Look

This look focused on achieving a healthy, radiant glow without appearing overly made-up. Key elements included:

Light foundation: A sheer, blendable foundation that matched the skin tone perfectly.
Cream blush: A touch of cream blush applied to the apples of the cheeks and blended out.
Clear mascara: This enhanced lashes without creating a dramatic effect.
Neutral eye shadow: A light, neutral shade of eyeshadow, such as ivory or champagne, was used to brighten the eyes.

2. The "Sun-Kissed" Look

This look mimicked a natural suntan with a healthy glow. Key elements included:

Bronzer: Bronze powder was applied to the cheekbones, temples, and forehead to mimic a tan.
Peachy blush: A creamy peach blush was used to add a natural flush to the cheeks.
Shimmering highlighter: A light, shimmery highlighter was applied to the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow to create a healthy glow.
Glossy lips: A sheer lip gloss or tinted balm in a neutral or peachy shade completed the look.

70s Makeup Inspiration: Iconic Looks

Many iconic figures from the 1970s helped shape the natural makeup trend. Their effortless beauty continues to inspire makeup lovers today:

Farrah Fawcett: Her signature feathered hair, flawless skin, and iconic "beach waves" defined the 70s look.
Ali MacGraw: Known for her effortless elegance and classic style, MacGraw epitomized the understated beauty of the 70s.
Jane Birkin: Her bohemian chic style, featuring natural makeup, tousled hair, and a hint of rebellion, influenced a generation.
Bianca Jagger: Jagger's androgynous style, including her signature sleek black eyeliner, was a statement of individuality and confidence.

Essential Products for 70s Natural Makeup

Lightweight foundation: Sheer, blendable foundations like the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation or Estee Lauder Doublewear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation are perfect for achieving a natural, radiant base.
Cream blush: Cream blush products like the Clinique Cheek Pop Blush or NARS Blush provide a healthy, natural flush.
Neutral eyeshadow palette: A palette with matte browns, peaches, and taupes like the Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette is ideal for creating subtle eye looks.
Brown eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Espresso Ink or Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black are great options for defining the eyes without being dramatic.
Tinted lip balm: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm or EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm add a touch of colour and moisture to lips.
Sheer lip gloss: NARS Afterglow Lip Balm or Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer provide a subtle shine.
Clear mascara: Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara helps separate and define lashes without adding color.
Spoolie brush: This essential tool helps shape and brush brows effectively.

FAQ: 1970s Natural Makeup

Q: What is the best way to get dewy skin for a 70s natural look?

A: Start by using a hydrating moisturizer and applying a light, sheer foundation. Follow with a cream blush to add a natural flush and finish with a light touch of highlighter on the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow.

Q: Are there any specific eye makeup techniques to consider for this look?

A: Opt for a natural eye shadow palette in shades of brown, peach, and taupe. Blend the eyeshadow softly into the crease for a subtle, defined look. Using a brown or black eyeliner along the lash line can add a touch of definition without being overly dramatic.

Q: Can I use bold lipstick with a 70s natural look?

A: While bold lips can be a part of the 70s aesthetic, they are not typical of the natural look. Focus on sheer lip gloss or tinted balms in neutral shades.

Q: What are some other ways to get a 70s vibe with my makeup?

A: You can add a touch of 70s flair to your makeup with a few key elements like:

Subtle winged eyeliner
Feathered lashes
Light, shimmery eyeshadow
Natural-looking blush
Shimmery highlighter

Conclusion: Embrace the Timeless Appeal of 70s Natural Makeup

The 1970s natural makeup look is a timeless classic that continues to inspire beauty trends today. By embracing a minimalist approach that emphasizes enhancing natural features, this style offers a versatile and flattering option for all skin tones and ages.

Whether you're looking for a fresh, everyday look or a more sophisticated evening makeup, the key lies in achieving a dewy complexion, subtle eye definition, and a touch of natural colour. By following the tips and tutorials outlined in this guide, you can master the timeless appeal of 70s natural makeup and add a touch of vintage charm to your own unique style.

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Ready to channel your inner 70s beauty icon? Start by gathering the essential products and experimenting with the different techniques to find the perfect 70s natural look that suits you!