70s Makeup Looks for Black Women: A Guide

70s Makeup Looks for Black Women: A Guide to Iconic Styles

The 1970s was a decade of bold experimentation and self-expression, and Black women were at the forefront of defining their own beauty standards. From the vibrant hues of the Afrocentric movement to the glamorous disco looks, 70s makeup for Black women was all about celebrating individuality and embracing color.

This guide dives into the iconic 70s makeup looks that made history, offering tips and tricks for recreating these timeless styles in the modern era.

Afrocentric Beauty: Embracing Natural Features

The 1970s saw a surge in Afrocentric consciousness, and Black beauty became synonymous with embracing natural textures and celebrating African heritage. This translated into makeup trends that focused on highlighting natural features and embracing bold, vibrant colors.

Natural Skin & Bold Lips:

Focus on flawless skin: 70s Afrocentric makeup prioritized a healthy, glowing complexion. This was achieved with minimal foundation, opting for sheer tinted moisturizers or light coverage powder to even out skin tone.
Highlight the eyes: Soft browns, golds, and warm tones were used to define the crease and enhance the natural eye shape.
Embrace bold lips: Vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple were used to create a statement lip. This was further emphasized with high shine lip gloss or lipstick.

Pro Tip: For a true Afrocentric vibe, experiment with African-inspired patterns and designs along the lash line or as eyeliner accents.

Disco Glamour: Shine Bright, Shine Bold

The 70s disco era was all about glitz, glamour, and extravagant looks. Black women embraced this trend with bold, shimmering makeup that reflected the dazzling lights of the dance floor.

Shimmering Eyes & Bold Eyeliner:

Get your glitter on: The key to 70s disco eye makeup was shimmer and sparkle. This was achieved by using glitter eyeshadows, loose glitter, or even finely crushed gemstones.
Experiment with colors: Deep blues, purples, and greens were popular choices for shimmering eyeshadows.
Define with bold eyeliner: Thick black eyeliner was essential for creating dramatic eye looks. Winged liner, cat eyes, and even double eyeliner were popular choices.

Pro Tip: Apply a touch of shimmery highlighter on the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow for a complete disco-ready glow.

The 70s Smokey Eye: A Classic Reimagined

The smokey eye has become a timeless makeup look, and its roots lie firmly in the 70s. Black women embraced this look with a unique twist, incorporating warm tones and blending techniques that enhanced their natural features.

Warm Tones & Blending Techniques:

Warm-toned palette: Black women often used warm tones like browns, golds, and coppers to create their smokey eye. These colors added depth and complemented their skin tone.
Focus on blending: The key to a flawless smokey eye is seamless blending. This was achieved with soft brushes and gentle circular motions to create a hazy, smudged effect.
Defined crease: The crease was often defined with a slightly darker shade to add depth.

Pro Tip: Opt for cream eyeshadows or a combination of powder and cream for a longer-lasting, intense smokey eye.

70s Natural Hair: A Look of Empowerment

The 70s saw a shift away from straightened hair to embrace the natural beauty of Black hair. This embraced Afros, braids, and locs in all their textured glory.

Makeup for Natural Hair:

Focus on skin: With a focus on natural hair, the emphasis shifted to enhancing the skin. This could be achieved with a dewy finish, a touch of bronzer, or a simple lip color.
Accessorize with hair: The 70s was also a time for bold hair accessories. Think headbands, bandanas, and even scarves tied around the head.
Eye-catching lashes: Long, dramatic lashes were another must-have for this look, adding a touch of glamour.

Pro Tip: Enhance your natural hair texture with a hair oil or serum to add shine and definition.

70s Makeup Essentials for Black Women

Recreate these iconic looks with these essential products:

Foundations: Choose foundations with a range of shades to match your skin tone and offer light to medium coverage.
Concealers: Opt for creamy concealers in shades that match your skin tone to cover imperfections and brighten the under-eye area.
Eyeshadows: Stock up on neutral browns, shimmering golds, and bold blues, purples, and greens.
Eyeliners: Black liquid and pencil eyeliners are essential for creating dramatic eye looks.
Mascaras: Black mascara is a must-have, while brown mascara can be used for a softer look.
Lipsticks: Experiment with vibrant reds, oranges, purples, and even sheer glosses.
Brushes: Invest in a good set of brushes for applying foundation, eyeshadow, and eyeliner with precision.

Pro Tip: Always ensure that your makeup brushes are clean to prevent bacterial growth and maintain a healthy skin microbiome.

FAQs

1. What is the best foundation for Black women?

The best foundation for Black women is one that matches their skin tone perfectly and provides a flawless finish. Look for foundations that offer a range of shades, have a good formula, and are made for different skin types.

2. How do I apply eyeliner to my hooded eyes?

For hooded eyes, it's best to use a pencil eyeliner and smudge it along the lash line. Avoid winged liner as it can disappear under the hood.

3. What lipstick shades look best on Black skin?

Black skin can pull off a wide range of lipstick colors, from classic reds to vibrant oranges and deep purples. Experiment to find shades that complement your complexion and personal style.

Conclusion: 70s Makeup for Black Women - A Legacy of Style

The 70s makeup trends for Black women reflected a powerful era of self-expression and beauty liberation. By embracing natural features and experimenting with bold colors and textures, these looks continue to inspire and influence modern makeup trends. Recreate these iconic styles and experience the transformative power of 70s makeup for yourself!

Call-to-Action: Looking for more inspiration? Explore vintage magazines and videos from the 70s to discover more iconic Black beauty looks. Share your favorite 70s makeup looks in the comments below!