Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Create a 1960's Makeup and Hair Look
The song lyrics “If you’re going to San Francisco….” (from the song San Francisco, written by John Phillips, sung by Scott McKenzie), played in my head for a few days and I started getting all kinds of 1960’s vibes. That’s how an artist’s brain works sometimes.
Even in college I dressed up in a blonde wig for my photography classes
Many times, my inspiration comes from music. After singing the song over and over, I started getting ideas for a 1960’s makeup look. Read on to learn how to create a modern and wearable 1960’s makeup and hair look based on my interpretation.
I got my sunglasses on Amazon
I first started thinking about Twiggy (a model that was very well known in the 1960s and again when she appeared on the t.v. show America’s Next Top Model) and knew my creation involved becoming a strong 60’s type of personality. The 1960’s brought about a lot of hard times for Americans and many people had to be very strong to get through things like the Vietnam War, the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and so much more (read more about the 1960’s on history.com). Things like art, music and culture brought about so many good things though, which is often how people cope with tragedy. It’s how I cope, at least.
Watch my 1960’s makeup and hair look come together in my video below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
I painted my nails in a french manicure pink color to match my lips
For this particular creation, I created a character with a wearable look, named Peachy, after my husband’s aunt. It was a sweet name meant for a strong person. I ordered a blonde pixie wig from TEMU (their low prices on costuming things helps me be able to create more and more!), a 60’s style sequin dress (which was from TEMU and cute enough for wearing out!) and a pair of go-go style booties (TEMU too!). I put it on and instantly had a vision for her final look.
See me put together a late 1960’s/early 1970’s look in my 15 second video below using the song “Fancy” written by Bobbie Gentry (released in 1970) or see it via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
I love the peace and love vibe from the 1960’s
I modernized my 1960’s look to make it a bit softer, as some of the mod 1960’s eye makeup was fairly bold. I wanted to make the makeup look wearable and easily created by anyone wanting to try it. Here’s how my 1960’s hair and makeup look was created and what products I used.
Adding my foundation over primed skin
The Makeup Base
Gathering up all my inspiration and what I already knew about 1960’s style makeup, I started by giving myself a foundation base using my all-time favorite It Cosmetics CC Cream. I apply it using a brush, then I dab it to make sure it’s even using a blending sponge. Before adding a base, I always add a sunscreen and a primer. I’m currently loving Live Tinted Hueguard for this step.
I created a “hollow” liner look
Eyeshadow
There are many types of 1960’s eye shadow trends, and I choose to do an all over pastel with a soft mod line on my lid to update it a bit. I mostly use Elizabeth Mott eye primer (I’ve used it for many years) to help my eyeshadow stay put all day. I then used the Natasha Denona Retro Eye Palette (I have many of her makeup palettes and wait for them to go on sale before snatching them up) to create the overall pastel pink lid and soft purple line.
I softened the lid line using a purple eyeshadow
The lines on the lids in the 60’s were more harsh, but with my eyelids being sort of hooded, I had to update it to be softer and I like it actually a bit more.
Too many lashes irritate my eyes
Lashes and Liner
According to an interview with Twiggy in Harper’s Bazaar, she wore three pairs of false eyelashes and had to paint on her bottom lashes. I could not get three pairs on my lids…one is enough for my sensitive eyes. So, I updated her look to do one pair of thicker faux lashes (I used Eyelure Wild & Unwispy from Amazon) and some short single lashes on my bottom lashes.
Lots of lashes were popular in the 60’s and still are today
Again, I softened up the look with what I used. I attach my lashes using DUO lash glue. I used a bit of a thin line of KVD Tattoo liquid liner to cover up any of the lash line and extended it out just a bit.
Twiggy was definitely an inspiration
Lips and The Rest
Twiggy said she used Panstik on her lips to give it a matte nude look. I used a soft pink lipstick and then patted some whitish frosty eyeshadow over it to update it. I used my regular Haleys RE-Touch setting powder a very soft whitish highlighter on the tops of my cheeks. I used a soft pink It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush and very little bronzer to keep the overall look pastel and soft.
The cute daisy earrings were a gift from my mother in law
The Pixie Hair
I pulled my long hair back and pinned it to my head. I added a nude wig cap on first, then added the blonde pixie wig I got on TEMU. This idea was inspired by Twiggy’s blonde pixie cut that many people copied in the 60’s. 1960’s hairstyle community brought all kinds of cool new hairstyles including the bee hive, the flipped bob and more and this pixie style definitely stands out. While I grew my pixie cut out (I wrote about my process in this article), it is a cute style that will always be modern and stylish.
If you want to see more 1960’s makeup and hair trends to gain inspiration from, check out this article from BYRDIE.
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Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.