12 Worst Beauty Trends From The 70s

While some vintage trends are making a comeback, certain fads are meant to stay in the past. The 1970s were all about experimentation, from bold fashion moves to flashy beauty choices packed with glitter and vibrant looks. While some nailed the assignment, others missed the mark. Take a walk down memory lane with us and explore the weirdest beauty moments from the 1970s.

1. Frosted eye shadow and metallic lips

Frosted eyeshadow has been a staple in several eras of the past, and we never quite know what to make of it. Compared to the more subtle looks of today, these frosty (and easily creased) looks are reminiscent of a shimmery alien and make eyelids look puffy. The same went for metallic lipsticks — they tried to look futuristic, but had a dried and cracked effect.

2. Feathered hair

We can’t all look like Farrah Fawcett, but the people of the 70s were determined to rock the soft and flippy wing-inspired look of the actress. While this look might be cute post-blowout, the hours of curling, teasing, and spraying were ultimately flattened out just hours later.

3. Pencil-thin brows

Thick brows weren’t popular until recently. In the past, thin brows were all the rage, and many women plucked them into oblivion. Back then, it was seen as elegant, but the reality of over-plucking left many with sparse-looking brows that never came back.

4. Mismatched lip liner

We’re not anti-lip liner, but in the 1970s, it was trendy to wear a bold lip liner that didn’t match lipstick. Think dark liner with light lip shades for a startling and harsh contrast with an unfinished effect. While the goal was to make the lips look fuller, this look really needed some better blending techniques.