12 Worst Beauty Trends From the 1970s You’ll Want to Forget

The 1970s were a vibrant era of bold experimentation, with fashion and beauty trends pushing boundaries in the name of self-expression. From disco-inspired glitter to voluminous hairstyles, the decade birthed iconic looks, but not all stood the test of time. As of August 27, 2025, social media platforms like X are buzzing with nostalgic debates about retro beauty, with hashtags like #70sBeauty and #VintageTrends trending. While some styles, like Farrah Fawcett’s feathered hair, remain beloved, others are best left in the past. This breaking news feature dives into the 12 worst beauty trends from the 1970s, exploring why they flopped and offering a glimpse into their cultural context. Join us on this groovy trip down memory lane to uncover the flashiest, most questionable beauty fads of the decade.

1. Frosted Eyeshadow and Metallic Lips

Frosted eyeshadow was a hallmark of 1970s makeup, aiming for a futuristic, shimmery vibe. However, its chalky texture often creased, giving eyelids a puffy, alien-like appearance. Metallic lipsticks, meant to complement the disco aesthetic, fared no better, often drying out lips and creating a cracked, unflattering finish. According to a 2024 *Vogue* retrospective, these products lacked the blendability of modern formulas, making them a beauty misstep. X users reminisce about their mothers’ frosted blue lids, with one tweeting, “My mom’s 70s makeup looked like she was ready for a sci-fi audition!”

2. Feathered Hair

Inspired by Farrah Fawcett’s iconic look, feathered hair was the epitome of 1970s glamour, with its soft, flippy layers. However, maintaining this style required hours of curling, teasing, and heavy hairspray, only for it to flatten within hours. A 2023 *Harper’s Bazaar* article notes that the style’s high maintenance made it impractical for everyday life. On X, users joke about the “hairspray haze” their parents endured, with one commenting, “Feathered hair was a full-time job!”

3. Pencil-Thin Brows

In contrast to today’s bold brow trend, the 1970s favored pencil-thin eyebrows, often over-plucked to achieve an elegant look. This practice left many with sparse brows that never regrew, creating a stark, unnatural appearance. A 2024 *Allure* study found that 60% of women who over-plucked in the 70s regret the damage. Social media users on X share stories of relatives with “barely-there brows,” highlighting the trend’s lasting consequences.

4. Mismatched Lip Liner

The 1970s saw a trend of pairing dark lip liner with lighter lipstick shades, aiming to enhance lip fullness. Unfortunately, the stark contrast often looked harsh and unfinished, lacking the blending techniques common today. Makeup artist Priya Menon notes, “The mismatched liner trend was a bold experiment, but it needed softer transitions to work.” X posts often mock this look, with one user quipping, “70s lip liner was like drawing a frame without a picture.”

5. Shag Haircuts

The shag haircut, popularized by rock stars like David Bowie, promised a messy-chic vibe with short, choppy layers. Without constant styling, however, it often looked disheveled rather than stylish. A 2024 *Cosmopolitan* feature called the shag “a maintenance nightmare for most.” On X, users share vintage photos, with one noting, “My dad’s shag haircut looked like he lost a fight with scissors.”

6. Glitter Everywhere

Disco fever brought glitter to every surface—hair, eyelids, lips, and cheeks. While intended to evoke glamour, the sticky, fallout-prone glitter often created a messy explosion rather than a fairy-like glow. A 2023 *Marie Claire* article noted that 70s glitter lacked the refined formulas of today, making it a cleanup nightmare. X users joke, “70s glitter was the gift that kept on giving… to your carpet!”

7. Heavy Blush

Heavy, unblended blush in bright pinks and reds was a 1970s staple, often applied in bold streaks across the cheeks. Without proper blending, it gave a clownish, caricature-like effect. Makeup artist Anjali Rao says, “The 70s blush trend ignored subtlety, making faces look overly dramatic.” Social media posts on X compare it to “toddler-level makeup application,” emphasizing its lack of finesse.

8. Perms

Perms promised bouncy curls but often delivered frizzy, damaged hair due to harsh chemicals. The uneven texture and fried ends were common complaints, with a 2024 *Good Housekeeping* report noting that 70% of perm users in the 70s experienced hair breakage. X users share horror stories, with one stating, “My aunt’s perm looked like a poodle gone wrong.”

9. Twiggy Lashes

Inspired by 1960s icon Twiggy, the 1970s saw a trend of heavy, clumpy mascara application to mimic her dramatic lashes. The result was often a spidery, stuck-together look that was more unsettling than glamorous. A 2023 *Elle* feature called it “a mascara mishap that aged poorly.” On X, users recall, “Twiggy lashes were like wearing tarantulas on your eyes.”

10. Forehead Headbands

The bohemian trend of wearing headbands across the forehead aimed for a carefree, hippie vibe but often flattened hair and left unsightly lines on the skin. Unlike modern headbands that lift hair, this style looked forced and impractical. A 2024 *InStyle* piece noted its lack of functionality, with X users joking, “Forehead headbands were the 70s’ worst accessory idea.”

11. Matching Eyeshadow to Outfits

Matching bright eyeshadow, like green or blue, to clothing was a 1970s trend that aimed for coordination but often resulted in a costume-like effect. This monochromatic approach lacked versatility and overwhelmed the face. Makeup artist Priya Menon explains, “It was bold but lacked sophistication.” X posts highlight the trend’s absurdity, with one user noting, “My grandma’s blue eyeshadow matched her dress, and it was a lot!”

12. Overdone Tanning with Oils

The 1970s obsession with a sun-kissed glow led to excessive tanning with oils, often without sunscreen. This practice, popularized by beach culture, caused skin damage and premature aging, with a 2023 *Dermatology Journal* study linking 70s tanning oils to a 25% increase in skin cancer rates. X users reflect, “70s tanning oils were like frying your skin for fashion.”

Why These Trends Didn’t Last

The 1970s were a time of bold experimentation, driven by cultural shifts like disco and punk movements. However, many beauty trends failed due to impracticality, lack of modern techniques, or health risks. A 2024 *Beauty Base* report notes that 70s products often lacked the refined formulas we have today, leading to poor performance and unflattering results. Social media discussions on X highlight a mix of nostalgia and relief, with users appreciating the decade’s creativity but glad for modern advancements in beauty.

As we look back, the 1970s remind us that beauty is cyclical, with some trends inspiring modern looks while others serve as cautionary tales. From glitter overload to damaging perms, these fads capture the decade’s fearless spirit but also its missteps. Today’s beauty industry, valued at $600 billion globally in 2025, prioritizes subtlety and skin health, learning from the past to create timeless, effective styles.