From Twiggy to Diana Ross, These Are the 15 Most Iconic '60s Makeup Looks

Fashion and beauty are cyclical. A trend arises, maintains its popularity for some time, and then fades back into obscurity, only to resurface after a few years (or decades) have passed. Most recently, we've laid witness to a reemergence of '90s and early 2000s trends. Halter tops, glossy lips, and grungy kohl-rimmed eyes are all back and bigger than ever (and we love them).

Lately, though, we've been inspired by another decade—one that was just as influential and iconic as the '90s yet exists a little further back in our collective consciousness. We're talking about the '60s. It was the decade of shift dresses, psychedelic prints, and cut creases, and it's all coming back. So indulge us if you will, and take a walk down memory lane, revisiting the most emblematic makeup looks of the decade. From Twiggy to Cher to Diana Ross, these 15 looks will inspire you to take a free-spirited approach to makeup or, at the very least, invest in a new liquid eyeliner (because what were the '60s without eyeliner?).

1. Twiggy

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

We can't talk about the '60s without talking about Twiggy. After all, we have her to thank for perhaps the most iconic '60s makeup look of all time. It consisted of a bold cut crease, heavy black liner, and a dramatic lower-lash moment. Look closely, and you'll see her lower waterline is rimmed with white eyeliner. It's a small detail that makes her eyes look big, bold, and bright.

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2. Jane Birkin

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jane Birkin did the impossible. She made her bold '60s eye makeup look somehow effortless and understated at the same time. (We know—it doesn't make any sense.) Everything about it is perfect, from the matte gray-black eye shadow that follows the shape of her crease to her slightly spidery lashes and the dusting of petal-pink blush across her cheeks.

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3. Diana Ross

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Diana Ross was an icon of the '60s for much more than her makeup, but since we're on the subject, we can't help but highlight this cat-eye look. Look closely and you'll see a jewel placed on the outer corner of the eye. Again, it's a small detail that makes a big difference.

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4. Cher

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Oh, what can we say about Cher that hasn't already been said? Not only is she one of the most-referenced fashion icons, well, ever, but she's also a bona fide beauty icon, too. For proof, look no further than this graphic, negative-space eyeliner look. It's utterly and undeniably cool.

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5. Elizabeth Taylor

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Okay, so this is technically movie makeup and not Elizabeth Taylor's daily makeup look, but we are talking about the most iconic looks from the '60s, aren't we? And if this look, from 1963's Cleopatra, doesn't make the cut, we don't know what would. While it's admittedly very bold for daily wear, that doesn't mean we can't take some serious inspiration from it. We'll be breaking out the blue eye shadow and wear a wash of color across our lids.

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6. Jane Fonda

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Not all '60s makeup looks were big and bold. Some, like the ones Jane Fonda would come to be known for, were actually quite understated. With this look, the star of the show is an inky liquid liner and full, fluttery lashes (whether those are thanks to falsies or mascara is beside the point).

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7. Brigitte Bardot

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Along with Jane Birkin, the epitome of 1960s French glamour was Brigitte Bardot. There's a lot we could comment on about this look—from the Breton top and cardigan combo to the hair scarf and voluminous waves—but we'll stick with the ultra-sharp winged eyeliner. It's perfect.

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8. Donyale Luna

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Model and actress Donyale Luna was the first woman of color to ever appear on Vogue. Her makeup looks were sleek and editorial and almost always featured graphic eyeliner and long, feathery lashes. We'll be replicating her look with multiple coats of a dramatic mascara.

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9. Sharon Tate

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Here's some date-night makeup inspiration for you, courtesy of Sharon Tate. Her eye makeup equation, which is composed of smoky charcoal shadow, winged eyeliner, and voluminous lashes, works every time, but especially when it's paired with a pale nude lipstick.

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10. Sophia Loren

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If there were ever anyone who had a signature makeup look, it was Sophia Loren. She's basically synonymous with the cat-eye look after years and years of using eyeliner to exaggerate and embolden her eye shape. It's pretty much summed up with "if it's not broken, don't fix it."

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11. Aretha Franklin

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Aretha Franklin is proof that glowing skin has always been in. Replicate her radiance with a glossy highlighting balm to reflect light without looking glittery, cakey, or unnatural.

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12. Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn wearing a blue and yellow striped sleeveless top in a studio portrait, circa 1965

(Image credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

Without a doubt, one of Hollywood's biggest golden girls of the mid-1960s is the actress and film producer Goldie Hawn. Here, her high-volume pixie perfectly complements the barely there makeup look created with a pale-pink lip.

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13. Ann-Margret

Anne-Margret in "Bye Bye Birdie" 1963

(Image credit: RDB/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images)

When I think of flaming red tendrils and bold matching brows, the first '60s celeb that comes to mind is the talented actress and singer Ann-Margret. Creating her signature brow look is easy. Just make sure you have a flexible and buildable gel-pomade to deliver a long-lasting, eye-catching finish.

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14. Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve with bronzed skin in France on May, 1965

(Image credit: AT/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images)

French actress Catherine Deneuve's gorgeous sun-kissed skin is as stunning now as it was in spring 1965 when she took the picture above. To get the same bronzed look without booking a trip to the French Riviera, try mixing a liquid highlighter with a lightweight foundation.

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15. Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn wearing a straw hat with bows in 1963

(Image credit: Avalon/Getty Images)

Throughout her career as an actress, Audrey Hepburn's doe eyes often took center stage. While curling your natural lashes and applying mascara may give you a similar look, consider adding an ultra-wispy half-lash for a natural look with just a hint of Hollywood glamour.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Kaitlyn McLintock
Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.

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