The Beauty Trends That Defined the 1960s
By Alexus Mosley
The 1960s were a revolutionary time. Not only did it modify the way women wore clothes, but it also rewrote the rules of beauty. This was the decade where makeup became graphic, hair became architectural, and beauty shifted from soft femininity to bold self-expression. From exaggerated lashes to sky-high beehives, the beauty trends of the 1960s reflected a cultural moment obsessed with youth, rebellion, and visual impact. We’re chatting about the beauty looks that defined the decade and the ones we’re still referencing today.
The Mod Eye
No beauty trend is more synonymous with the 1960s than the dramatic eye. Thick, graphic eyeliner, pale lids, and exaggerated lower-lash definition became the decade’s signature. Eyes were meant to look wide, doll-like, and slightly surreal.
The mod eye rejected traditional glamour in favor of something bold, playful, and youth-driven, beauty as attitude, not polish.
Pale Lips & Nude Tones
While eyes were bold, lips were often muted. Pale pinks, peaches, and nude shades dominated, letting eye makeup take center stage. This contrast redefined balance in beauty, one feature loud, the rest restrained.
Beehives & Bouffants
Hair in the 1960s went vertical. Beehives, bouffants, and teased crowns ruled the decade, turning hair into sculptural art.
Big hair signaled confidence, sophistication, and presence, beauty as power.
Sharp Cat Eye
Winged eyeliner existed before the ’60s, but this decade sharpened it. The cat eye became longer, darker, and more dramatic, often paired with minimal face makeup.
Porcelain Skin
Heavy contouring hadn’t arrived yet. The ideal complexion was smooth, fresh, youthful, and often matte, with minimal bronzing or sculpting.
Beauty ideals centered on youth culture and freshness rather than maturity.
False Lashes as a Statement
False eyelashes weren’t at all subtle in the ’60s, but very theatrical. Often stacked or spiked, lashes became a focal point rather than a finishing touch.