13 Odd ’70s Beauty Trends That Wouldn’t Fly Today
These 13 beauty trends from the 1970s were once widely followed but would no longer be accepted or considered practical by today’s standards.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The 1970s brought many unique beauty trends that reflected the culture and values of the time. Some of these trends focused on appearance over safety or relied on products that would now be considered outdated or even harmful. This list highlights 13 specific beauty practices from the 1970s that are no longer part of mainstream beauty routines today.
1. Sunbathing with Baby Oil
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In the 1970s, many people used baby oil instead of sunscreen to get a faster, darker tan. It offered no protection from UV rays and often led to sunburns. At the time, a deep tan was seen as a sign of health and style. Today, this is strongly discouraged due to the known risks of skin cancer and sun damage.
2. Overplucked Eyebrows
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Thin, high-arched eyebrows were a major trend, and many women removed most of their natural brow hair. This often caused long-term damage and made it hard for hair to grow back. The look was sharp and dramatic but lacked natural shape. Full and natural brows are more common today.
3. Heavy Blue Eyeshadow
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Bright blue eyeshadow was often worn all the way up to the brow bone. It was applied heavily and used for both casual and formal looks. The color was rarely blended and often clashed with natural skin tones. Today, makeup trends focus more on subtle blending and neutral shades.
4. Teased Hair with Lots of Hairspray
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Teasing or backcombing hair to create volume was very popular. Hairspray was used in large amounts to hold the style in place. This made hair stiff and often damaged it over time. Most modern hairstyles avoid this much product and focus on healthier techniques.
5. Lipstick Without Liner
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Bold lipstick colors were applied directly without any liner to shape or define the lips. This often caused the color to smudge or bleed outside the natural lip line. The result looked uneven by today’s makeup standards. Now, lip liner is a common step in most routines.
6. Matching Eye and Lip Colors
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Using the same shade for both eyeshadow and lipstick was seen as fashionable. This often involved strong colors like pink, purple, or orange. The look lacked balance and didn’t flatter most face shapes or skin tones. Today, makeup artists recommend contrast and coordination, not exact matches.
7. Frosted Lips
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Light, metallic lipsticks with silver or pale pink shimmer were heavily used. These “frosted” shades reflected light but often made lips look dry. They were applied generously and worn even during the day. Current beauty trends favor matte or glossy finishes with more natural tones.
8. Tanning Beds at Home
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Many people in the late 1970s purchased small tanning beds for home use. These machines exposed users to strong artificial UV rays. They were unregulated and often used too frequently. Today, tanning beds are linked to serious health risks and are banned or restricted in many places.
9. Extreme Sideburns on Women
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Some female hairstyles included long, shaped sideburns blended into the rest of the hair. This was often paired with short cuts and heavy makeup. It was seen as bold and modern during the time. It is now rarely seen outside of costume or retro looks.
10. Nail Polish on Just One Hand
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Painting only one hand, or painting each hand a different color, was a brief and unusual trend. It was meant to show creativity or stand out in social settings. The style never became widespread and faded quickly. Today, nail trends focus more on symmetry and clean finishes.
11. Glitter Everywhere
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Glitter was used on eyes, cheeks, lips, and even hair for special events and parties. It had no staying power and often created a mess. Removing it was difficult and could irritate the skin. Modern products use fine shimmer or biodegradable alternatives instead.
12. Bleached Hair with No Toner
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Hair was often bleached to a very light blonde without using toner afterward. This left the hair with yellow or orange tones that were not corrected. It damaged the hair and often required multiple treatments. Today, toners are a standard step in any lightening process.
13. Fake Beauty Marks
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Some people drew or glued fake beauty marks on their faces to match a celebrity’s look. These marks were placed randomly and didn’t always appear natural. They were seen as attractive at the time but looked forced up close. Now, most makeup focuses on enhancing real features.