Cher 80s Makeup

From LoveToKnow Makeup

With her penchant for wild, head-turning styles, it's no wonder that Cher 80s makeup looks also enjoyed some notoriety and popularity. In fact, the star has undergone a number of transformations over the years, but some of her most memorable looks definitely come from the decade of excess.

Cher in the 1980s

To say the 1980s were good for Cher is an understatement. It was the decade that saw her rise to fame as a Hollywood actress. She starred in such films as Silkwood (for which she earned an Oscar nomination), Mask, The Witches of Eastwick, Suspect and Moonstruck (which earned her the Oscar for Best Actress in 1988). She also reestablished herself as a serious singer, releasing the eponymous Cher in 1987 and Heart of Stone in 1989. The latter spawned several top hits, including If I Could Turn Back Time, Just Like Jesse James and After All, to name a few.

Of course, it wasn't just Cher's commercial success that made her such a popular figure. The multifaceted talent's penchant for over-the-top, often scandalous clothing left little to the imagination – one need only glance at a few performance photographs or music videos from that era to understand. Her makeup, too, was something to behold, although it didn't garner nearly the same attention that her wardrobe did.

The Cher Makeup Revolution

Just as her styles changed over the years (yet somehow always remained fervently bold and enigmatic), so too did Cher's makeup. A toy manufacturer even released the Cher Makeup Center during the '70s! During the '60s and '70s, she sported looks that were quintessentially representative of those decades. True to the excessiveness of the '80s, she used makeup that was dramatic and flashy.

A basic Cher 80s makeup look was composed of the following products:

Lipstick in a rich color, such as wine or berry
Shimmery eye shadow
Mascara – and lots of it
False eyelashes
Porcelain foundation

Of course, Cher's naturally light skin tone acts as the perfect base for things like smoldering eyes or dramatic lips. Whether she chose to put the spotlight on one or the other, the look was always striking thanks to the strong contrast between her skin and the colors.

Emulating Cher 80s Makeup Looks

With so many appearances, music videos and films to her credit during the '80s, it's no wonder that Cher presented such a wide range of looks. One constant, though, was her impeccable makeup. Take a peek at just about any photograph from that period and it's clear that flawless skin and flattering colors were the main components for her daily look.

Working With Cheekbones

Achieving your own Cher-inspired look is simple. Again, there is one constant whether you're headed out for the day or painting the town red at night: It's all in the cheeks! Cher's high cheekbones have long been a source of envy for many women, and combined with elaborate eye colors and pursed lips in a berry-tinged shade; she often turned heads as soon as she walked in the room.

Needless to say, it's helpful to have some high cheekbones of your own if you really want to look the part of Cher, but the right colors and technique will help you fake it beautifully. Start by applying a touch of liquid highlighter to the upper cheekbones and blend well – this will reflect light and draw attention to the area. Next, apply a pinkish blush to the apples of the cheeks (like NARS Mata Hari, a rosy pink). The final step is the real trick: Suck the cheeks in and contour the hollows with a product like Laura Geller Shade N' Sculpt Baked Contouring Powder. The result is beautifully raised cheekbones that even Cher would be impressed with!

=Working With The Eyes and Lips

Determine whether you'd like your eyes or your lips to be the focal point of your face. If you're headed out for the evening and want to emulate a Cher-like lip from the '80s, try a vibrant violet-berry lipstick, similar to what the star would often wear with her famous leather jackets, sheer dresses and killer stilettos. A more casual look is achieved with a muted wine or soft rose.

Playing up your eyes, instead? Intensify those dramatic eyes by applying a neutral cream or linen shade all over the lid. Brush a charcoal shadow into the crease and blend well. Pack a carbon color into the outer corner and blend outward, extending slightly upward toward the brow bone. (Kat Von D Rock n Roll Eye Shadow Duo in Motorhead is perfect for this look.) Finish with several generous coats of mascara. If you're feeling especially glamorous, apply false eyelashes first, then finish with two coats of black mascara.