Because ’80s makeup is crazy. It’s bananas. But, like…in the best possible way.
I’ve been all about the ’80s makeup inspiration lately. Shout-out to reader Stella for saying on Instagram yesterday that the look I did with the new MAC Chromat collection (it’s out now, BTW) looked ’80s inspired, because that’s what I was going for. Kind of.
Have you seen GLOW yet on Netflix?
It’s about (wait for it) women’s wrestling, but before you roll your eyes and click away from this blog right now, STOP! It’s actually really good! I can honestly say that I was not expecting to get repeatedly emo watching a show about women’s wrestling, but doggonit those ladies are just so plucky and adorable.
The show is about a ragtag group of lady misfits putting together a TV show about women’s wrestling.
I watched the whole first season and may or may not have shed a few tears. *sniffs*
One of the best things about it is the styling. I was a kid in the ’80s, and even though I REALLY wanted to look like Madonna, I wasn’t allowed to do my hair and makeup like her, because, hello! — I was in elementary school. But GLOW totally looks ’80s legit.
Oh, gosh, the outfits, the hair, the bright yellow eyeshadow not only on the lids but also on the temples, the striped magenta contouring (left purposefully un-blended, GASP!)… It’s like 1985 again!
Sometimes I wish I could’ve experienced the ’80s as an adult because it seemed like such a creative, interesting time for beauty.
As for the wrestling, even if you have absolutely zero interest in it, you gotta watch the show at least for the makeup. It’s gloriously O.T.T to the max.
There’s also some great music in it, like this song by Patty Smyth and Scandal…
Shooting at the walls of heartache!
Isn’t the video nuts!? I don’t know what’s going on there… Are these people supposed to be cats?? Or aliens? And what’s with the dude dressed up like a referee? Is he keeping score on an abacus?
It’s all very strange… But Patty’s makeup is wild! I love it. 🙂
What do you think about ’80s makeup? Do you like it as much as I do? If you remember wearing makeup at the time, what did you like to wear? Please tell me there was some un-blended purple blush involved. PLEASE!!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Diana says
Loving GLOW and their makeup!
LindaLibraLoca says
Glow is on my to watch list! Just like you I was a kid in the 80s and thought I´d hate that trend coming back, but I have been rocking blue eyes and orange lips lately and may get inspired for some magenta blush too.
Kim says
I haven’t seen it yet, but know it stars Trudy from Mad Men (Alison Brie) and assume she’ll be doing some good work! I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
Ah, the 80s. We weren’t quite as hip since we’re out in the sticks but I remember wearing a lot of pink eye shadow with blue on the outer corners (right up to the eyebrow). Also, heating up black liner with a lighter and then putting it on my lower waterlines. Blush was definitely put on as a stripe from apples to ear. Also wore a lot of VERY frosty “gloss”. Some kind of horrible pink/silver from Mary Kay that everyone in our town owned (retail stores were severely limited).
You could get your hair sky high with some back-combing (teasing) and a can of Aqua Net. 🙂 I think I told you how bummed I was when we went to an 80s themed charity dinner a few weeks ago and our group was Revenge of the Nerds. I was all ready for some 80s makeup but my character had regular makeup and hair (not even a little bit big). It was a sad moment for me. HAHA! There were a lot of Lucky Star Madonna’s there, though. Some really cool outfits. 🙂
Cel says
Just watched GLOW and loved it! Didn’t think I would but now I need more.
I also love your more wearable interpretation of the make-up! I really need to learn how to wear more color.
Jane says
The 80’s, BEEN THERE! DONE IT!
My husband has been watching GLOW, I think he wants to recapture those days. I just remember going to some good Happy Hours after work and dancing my a@$ off.
Barb says
GLOW is on my watchlist! I absolutely love everything about the 80’s! The hair, the makeup, the clothes, but mainly the music!! Duran Duran was, and is still, my all time favorite! They’re still putting out good music today 🙂
Karen says
Hey Barb,
So, I haven’t listened to any of their new stuff! Can you recommend a few songs?
Lex says
I didn’t exist in the 80s – which is in some ways sad, because I think I would have enjoyed it very much. So thanks for the heads up. Glow is going on my watch list. 🙂 Also… no way! I totally love that Warrior song from Scandal! Played it to my bf and he kinda thought I was nuts, ha!
Karen says
Please tell me you made him watch the video, LOL! It’s BANANAS.
Happy Friday! I’m hoping to make it to the Chanel counter this weekend to check out the new compact gel foundation. ?
Lex says
Hey you. He himself wanted to watch it, to see what I was so excited about. So… we sit on the couch together looking into his laptop screen…and the seconds pass by… sooo…. sloooowly. :))) He wasn’t getting it at all, so it was slightly on the awkward side, haha! Then again, what do boyfriends know. 🙂
And happy Friday to you too! I went to the Chanel counter today and obvs spent way, way too much… Ended up with Pourpre profond and Desert rouge, as I’ve been wanting those for weeks since I saw your review. Nabbed the two new brushes too – the ones with caps. And oh no, couldn’t stop there…! Also grabbed Noir Satin, cuz I liked the texture and it was LE too apparently, plus Bronze Antique. Whooops. 🙂
Did you get the Les Beiges eye palette in the end? Or maybe you’re gonna check that one out at same time as the gel foundation… 😉
Rachel R. says
I was a teen in the 80s. It was such a fun and OTT time for makeup and fashion. And music!
Karen says
Girl, you’re so lucky! I wish I could’ve been a teenager during that era. I think I would’ve had a lot of fun with the fashion.
I still tried though. I remember loving my bright neon tee shirt SO much! I wore it all the time with my rubber bracelets.
Rachel R. says
How cute! You were stylin’. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Karen says
Haha. As stylin’ as an elementary school child could be during that era. I wanted a lace crop top and fingerless gloves soooo much but my mom was like, “Um, no.”
Rachel R. says
I had the fingerless lace gloves and tons of cross jewelry. Crushed satin jackets. Tons of bangles. Ahhhh….memories.
I was never down with the ankle socks and heels, though. lol
Karen says
Ahh, so jealous! Did you have any huge lace bows for your hair?
I’m secretly waiting for big hair to come back, by the way.
Rachel R. says
But of course!
My favorite eyeshadow was a quad with matte electric blue, matte magenta, shimmery bright yellow, and shimmery acid green. No transition colors in those days. OMG lol
Karen says
Hardly any blending in those days either! Especially with the dudes who wore blush. They never, ever seemed to blend out the edges.
Tatiana says
I’ve never seen this show. I was already working in an office in the 80’s. I remember one of my mentors complaining about shoulder pads and wishing they’d go away, personally I loved them.
I have memories of a favorite lipstick from the 80’s, is that weird? Can’t remember the brand but it was a medium to medium deep sort of plummy, berry red with subtle gold shimmer.
I remember the thick eyebrows and the large permed hair, too.
And the skinny, high waisted jeans from Guess with zippers at the ankles.
I had good skin back then, so I’d just wear eye liner, mascara and lipstick. I think I had one shadow quad from the drugstore and that’s it. Oh, also some berry blush.
Jennifer says
I LOVE Glow! I binged watched the whole 1st season in one evening. The cast is brilliant and I am loving the makeup, brings it all back! (Oh and those costumes, I forgot how high cut leotards were then ha!)
Jennifer says
Oh! Jelly shoes! and my favorite purse was from Liz Clairborne. My favorite go to makeup was my bright blue eye shadow (I think it was Cover Girl) and my frosted pink lipstick….ahhh those were the days.
Julie says
I love GLOW! It’s about so much more than wrestling and soooo good!