The 80s were iconic for many reasons, but beauty trends top the list. We were all rocking looks that felt groundbreaking then but look hilariously over-the-top now. From sky-high hair to frosty lips, here are 13 beauty obsessions we all had in the 80s that we can’t help but laugh about now.
1. Sky-High Teased Hair
The higher the hair, the closer to heaven, right? We were all about teasing our hair into towering heights. Armed with cans of Aqua Net hairspray, we spent hours ratting and fluffing our hair into gravity-defying styles. Big hair wasn’t just a trend—it was a statement. Looking back, it’s hard not to laugh at the sheer volume we all thought was the pinnacle of style.
2. Electric Blue Eyeshadow
If you didn’t have electric blue eyeshadow up to your brows, were you even living in the 80s? This vibrant hue was essential, especially paired with layers of mascara. We loved how bold and bright it was, even though it often clashed with everything else. Today, it’s hard to imagine pulling off that color with a straight face, but it made us feel daring back then.
3. Frosted Lips for Days
Whether frosty pink or icy white, frosted lips were everywhere in the 1980s. We swiped on thick coats of shimmering lipsticks that left our lips sparkling, no matter the occasion. It was the era of cool-toned everything, and frosted lips topped the list. We laugh at how pale and metallic they looked, but they were glamorous in the day.
4. Blush That Was Visible from Space
Blush wasn’t subtle in the 80s. We packed on bright shades, like hot pink or coral, from our cheeks to our temples. The idea was to sculpt the face, but we had two distinct stripes. This dramatic look was all the rage, though today, it makes us chuckle at how intense we thought blush needed to be.
5. Crimped Hair Galore
Crimped hair was a must-have, adding texture and style that felt cool and edgy. We’d spend ages with our crimping irons, sectioning and pressing every bit of hair for that crinkly effect. Hair that looked like a pile of noodles, but in the best way. Nowadays, crimping has mostly faded out, but we still get nostalgic when we see that zigzag pattern.
6. Bright Neon Nail Polish
Neon nails were practically a requirement in the 80s. We painted our nails in bold shades like electric pink, lime green, and fluorescent yellow, letting our hands scream for attention. Today, neon nails are a summer trend, but in the 80s, they were an everyday staple. Looking back, it’s funny how much we loved these eye-popping shades for day-to-day wear.
7. Overly Thin Eyebrows
Thin was in, and that applied to eyebrows too. We plucked our brows into pencil-thin arches, thinking it made our faces look polished. Little did we know we’d spend years trying to grow them back. These over-plucked brows make us laugh now as we remember the “barely there” look we all thought was sophisticated.
8. Shimmering Body Lotion
Who didn’t want to sparkle head to toe? Shimmer lotions were a big deal, making our skin gleam under the disco lights. We slathered it on before heading out, turning ourselves into human glitter balls. While shimmer lotions still pop up now and then, it’s hard not to laugh at our commitment to be as sparkly as possible back then.
9. Colored Mascara for Added Drama
Blue, green, and purple—colored mascara was a must. We layered it on to match our eyeshadow or outfit, creating a technicolor dream look that was as vibrant as our personalities. Colored mascara has made a comeback, but in the 1980s, it was everyday wear. It’s funny to think about how excited we got over lashes in colors that were anything but natural.
10. Heavy Metal Eyeliner
Eyeliner wasn’t just for lining eyes—it was for layering. We’d rim our eyes in thick, heavy metal shades like silver or deep blue, adding to the boldness of our look. Forget about subtlety; the eyeliner was thick, smoky, and dramatic. Today, we laugh at how dark and intense our eyes looked, but it was undeniably fun and made us feel unstoppable.
11. Sun-In and Blonde Ambitions
Sun-In was the DIY hair lightener every teen swore by. Spritzing it in and heading out into the sun, we dreamed of beachy highlights but often ended up with brassy orange streaks. It didn’t matter; the 80s were all about experimenting. Sun-In feels like a hilarious blast from the past, reminding us of those first forays into hair color.
12. Perms for Everyone
The perm was practically a rite of passage. Curly, bouncy, and voluminous perms gave our hair life and flair. The process took forever, and the smell was unforgettable, but the results made us feel glamorous. Looking back, we can’t help but laugh at how big and bouncy our curls were. At that time, volume was everything, and perms were the ultimate statement.
13. Bold Lip Liner, Light Lip
Bold lip liner was the defining touch to any look. Often in a shade darker than the lipstick, this look made lips look ultra-defined. We’d outline with a deep burgundy or brown and fill in with a paler shade. It’s a look we laugh at today, but in the 80s, it was the epitome of chic. That contrast? Pure 80s beauty magic.