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1960s makeup: mod eyes and graphic lashes

By Lookslate · Updated

1960s mod makeup puts all the attention on graphic eyes: a dark line drawn in or above the crease, thick upper lashes, painted or false lower lashes and a pale lid, balanced by a pale nude or soft pink lip. It is bold, youthful and closer to an illustration than to a natural face.

Jump to the steps
Before1960s makeup on an AI-generated modelAfter
An AI-generated example of 1960s makeup. The Lookslate preview cannot apply this look to your photo yet.
  • Lid
  • Crease
  • Cheek
  • Lip

The signature details

  • A drawn crease line that defines a "banana" shape
  • Spiky upper and lower lashes
  • Pale or white lids
  • A pale nude or baby-pink lip

What you need

  • Light foundation and concealer
  • White or bone matte eyeshadow
  • Black or dark brown pencil or gel liner
  • Volumizing mascara and optional strip lashes
  • Soft peach or pink blush
  • Pale nude or pink lipstick

Any brand works; match the shades to your coloring.

From mod to cat-eye

London fashion in the mid-1960s turned the eye into a graphic shape. Models drew a dark line through the crease to make the eye look bigger and rounder, painted individual lower lashes on the skin and wore stacks of false lashes. At the same time, a sleeker version with a long black cat-eye and a pale lip became the French and Hollywood signature of the decade.

Both versions share one rule: pale lips. A nude, peach or baby-pink lip keeps the face from looking heavy and makes the eyes stand out even more.

A softer, everyday version

Draw the crease line in a soft brown pencil instead of black and blend its top edge slightly, keep the upper liner thin, and skip painted lower lashes. You keep the open, doll-like shape without the stage-makeup intensity. If you have hooded eyes, draw the crease line slightly above your natural fold so it stays visible with your eyes open, as in our eye color guide tips for shadow placement.

How to do 1960s makeup, step by step

  1. Keep the skin light. Use a thin, even base and conceal any redness. The skin should look fresh and simple so the eyes dominate.
  2. Brighten the lid. Sweep a white or bone matte shadow across the whole lid up to the crease.
  3. Draw the crease line. Looking straight ahead into a mirror, draw a curved line with dark pencil just above your natural crease, from above the inner iris out to the outer corner.
  4. Line the upper lashes. Draw a thick line along the upper lash line and extend it out into a wing, or keep it straight across for the mod version.
  5. Build the lashes. Apply several coats of mascara or add strip lashes. For the full mod look, draw thin vertical lower lashes under the eye with a fine liner.
  6. Soft cheeks. A touch of peach or pink blush on the apples is enough; contour is not part of this decade.
  7. Pale lip. Finish with a pale nude, peach or baby-pink lipstick, blending it to the edges so there is no visible outline.

Common mistakes

  • A dark or red lip, which overloads the face once the eyes are graphic.
  • Blending the crease line away completely; it is meant to read as a line.
  • Drawing the crease line on your natural fold when you have hooded eyes, so it disappears.
  • Painted lower lashes that are too thick or evenly spaced like a fence.

Frequently asked questions

How do I draw a 60s crease line?

Keep your eyes open and look straight ahead, then draw a curved line slightly above your natural crease with a dark pencil. Starting with eyes open makes sure the line sits where it will be seen.

What lip color goes with 60s makeup?

Pale nudes, peaches and light pinks. The pale lip balances the heavy, graphic eye.

Do I need false lashes for 60s makeup?

No. Several coats of volumizing mascara on the upper lashes give a similar effect, and drawn lower lashes complete the look.

More decade looks

All faces shown are AI-generated fictional models, not real people.

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