Bruno P
In the 1970s, beauty was bold enough to be bizarre. It shimmered in clubs and posed on magazine covers. What made sense didn’t matter—what stood out did. These 20 eccentric trends reflect the chaotic charm of a decade that loved spectacle.
Disco Glitter Hair
Hair didn’t stop at styling; it sparkled. Clubgoers often dusted their roots with cosmetic glitter at the height of disco culture to reflect the strobe lights overhead. It was part fashion, part fantasy. Under mirrored balls, glittered scalps shimmered like accessories, which made the dance floor a runway.
Blue Eyeshadow Overload
Sky-blue shadow was a 1970s beauty signature. Worn from the lash line to the brow bone, it created an otherworldly effect. Sometimes frosted or matte, the pigment was often paired with pale lips and heavy mascara. Artists and suburban teens embraced this eye-popping, all-or-nothing lid statement.
Graphic Eyeliner Shapes
Eyeliner left the lash line behind. In the 1970s, bold liner shapes took center stage by ranging from extended wings to floating lines above the crease. Influences came from futuristic films and mod revivals. The look felt architectural and theatrical.
Electric Disco Makeup
Neon hues and shimmering pigments dominated disco-era makeup. Eyes gleamed with metallic purples and iridescent greens, while cheeks radiated bold color. Inspired by club lights and music videos, people layered pigments fearlessly. Disco wasn’t subtle, and neither was the makeup. Faces became canvases for sparkle and pure visual rhythm.
Twiggy-Inspired Lower Lashes
Model Twiggy’s painted-on lashes from the 1960s made a dramatic comeback. In the 1970s, beauty enthusiasts exaggerated the look by drawing thick lower lashes directly onto the skin. Paired with pale eyeshadow and doe-eyed stares, the style echoed mod fashion while blending into disco’s theatrical flair.
Over-The-Top False Lashes
False lashes in the 1970s were not designed for subtlety. They exaggerated every blink, stacked in layers or fanned out like miniature sculptures. Theatrical lashes became evening essentials, worn in clubs and on TV. They often paired with glitter to complete a wide-eyed, exaggerated expression.
Colored Mascara Madness
Mascara came in shocking shades from electric blue to even ruby red. Colored lashes drew attention in daylight and disco lights to align with the decade’s appetite for vibrancy and unapologetic self-expression. Standard black was too tame for the 1970s. This wasn’t about enhancement but visual rebellion.
Super Thin Eyebrows
Eyebrows nearly vanished during this era. Many women plucked theirs into the thinnest possible arch, sometimes leaving only a drawn pencil line. The look was fragile and high-maintenance, which created an oddly fashionable and perpetually surprised appearance. Brows were treated more as decoration than facial framing.
Frosted Lips
Inspired by space-age trends and magazine spreads, frosted lips gave a futuristic finish. Often worn with pale eyeshadow, they created a soft, surreal facial palette. Lips took on a cool, metallic gleam in the 1970s. Popular shades included frosty pink and shimmering silver.
Glossed To Excess
Applied thick and frequently reapplied, lip gloss created a wet-look shine that bordered on cartoonish. Gloss came in clear and bubblegum hues that gave lips a plumped, glassy finish that reflected every light. It was treated as a centerpiece but turned into a visual obsession.
Heavy Blush Stripes
In the 1970s, blush defied the quiet contouring norms of previous decades. It became bold and theatrical. Bright pinks and reds were applied in vivid streaks stretching from cheekbones to temples. The goal was intensity, not realism—a look often reminiscent of stage makeup or avant-garde art.
Glittery Body Lotion
Disco didn’t stop at the face. Sparkling lotions covered shoulders and collarbones in glimmering flecks. Under club lights, skin looked radiant and surreal. These lotions became a quick, accessible way to shimmer without sequins. The body itself turned into a reflective surface on the dance floor.
Sun-Kissed Tan Obsession
By the mid-1970s, bronzed skin had become a status symbol. Sunbathers coated themselves in oil and baked for hours, while others turned to UV lamps. Warnings about skin damage existed, but few listened. A deep, golden tan signaled vitality and charm; the deeper it looked, the better.
Extreme Nail Lengths
What made nails stand out in the 1970s? Artificial enhancements were shaped into pointed or squared tips and painted in bright, glossy hues. More than style, long nails became bold statements. Each manicure displayed intricate detail by turning fingertips into tiny works of wearable art.
Hair Perms Gone Wild
Perms exploded in popularity to create voluminous halos of tight curls. From home kits to salon treatments, people chased maximum body and texture. The result was often frizz-heavy but embraced without hesitation. Bigger was better, and perms delivered drama that few other styles could achieve.
Choppy Shag Haircuts
If any haircut reflected the relaxed edge of the 1970s, it was the shag. Messy layers, uneven ends, and a casual silhouette defined the look. Popular among musicians and actors, it combined movement with minimal effort, a cut that looked styled even when it wasn’t.
Feathered Blowouts
Feathered hair became a phenomenon thanks to Farrah Fawcett’s iconic flips. Achieved with rollers and round brushes, the style framed the face with soft, outward curls. It demanded precision and plenty of hairspray. Feathered blowouts became a television-era ideal, polished and instantly recognizable.
Afros And Natural Hair Pride
The Afro was a cultural and political statement. Worn with pride during the Black Power movement, it embraced natural texture in defiance of Eurocentric beauty norms. Its round shape and fullness expressed identity and solidarity in a changing social climate.
Bohemian Braids And Beads
This bohemian hair trend echoed the decade’s counterculture. It pulled from Native traditions and African aesthetics, including the free-spirited hippie scene. The result felt handmade and expressive. Worn loosely or woven tightly, braids often included beads or feathers. In the 1970s, they carried a visible spirit of freedom.
Hair Accessories Galore
Whether worn to the market or the dance floor, every 1970s hairstyle craved accessories. Glittery barrettes, bold scarves, wide headbands, and flower pins were more than embellishments. Hair became a space for personal flair. A simple style wasn’t finished until something extra held it together.
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