Makeup that only people who grew up in the 1980s will remember

I’m feeling nostalgic for the 1980s thanks to the new Disney + show, The Shards. Created by producer Ryan Murphy, the show plunges viewers back into the lavish and decadent decade, following a group of devastatingly beautiful friends in high school, navigating the threat of a deadly serial killer.  

Looking back at some of Murphy’s previous works, from American Horror Story to Scream Queens, it’s obvious he has a gift for making even the most grotesque of horror stories look visually beautiful. This time around, his leading ladies include Kaia Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, and Hayes Warner, a rising pop star, both of whom will make you want to tease your hair and sharpen your lip line while you follow the sordid tale. 

As I watched the slow-burning story this week, I found myself nostalgic for the 80s beauty era. Nowadays, everything is so neutral, with monochromatic makeup and clothing dominating the trends.

The Shards takes viewers on an exciting trip back into a world where bright colours and big statements were de rigueur. And while the 80s looks aren’t on trend anymore, many of the skincare and makeup essentials from the decade have stood the test of time – with many of them still in my bathroom to this day.

Read on for the 80s beauty buys that are worth adding to your stash… and let me know if you remember them, or still use them today.

When MAC first launched in 1984, one of their earliest innovations was a matte lipstick, Russian Red, in 1985. The 80s were famously frosty-lipped and glossy, so this was a total break from the norm of the time. In 1990, Madonna wore this shade during her Blonde Ambition tour, igniting a matte lip revolution that would go on to define the decade. Russian Red is slightly blue-toned, so it offers a cool, deep red colour that in turn brightens the whites of eyes and teeth. 

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This blood-red nail varnish from Essie is still as treasured today as the day that it launched. In 1981, founder Essie Weingarten created the brand with 12 signature nail shades, including the red wine-inspired Bordeaux. A classic colour to see you through all seasons, this is the perfect bold statement and helps to elevate even the simplest of outfits. Weingarten wanted to create colours that looked wet for a week to ten days, wore like iron and applied like silk. To this day, Bordeaux is one of her most popular shades. 

For years, I worked as a Beauty Personal Shopper at Selfridges, and Advanced Night Repair was one of the skincare buys I recommended most often, because it works for just about everyone.

First launched in 1982, at the time it was the very first skincare serum to market. Estee Lauder wanted to champion the power of a more lightweight formula that was densely packed with active ingredients. To this day, this serum remains one of my favourite ways to plump the skin and add deep hydration, improve overall skin tone, and crucially help skin to look great at every age. Despite the name, I’d happily recommend using this twice per day. It works beautifully mixed into foundation to create a refreshing skin tint during the summer months. 

With perms, waves and bouncy curls all forming the blueprint for 80s style, it comes as no surprise that one of the most iconic hair products of all time was born from this era. Certain that he had found a miracle cure to taming flyaway strands, hairdresser John Frieda began to use Frizz Ease from his London salon in 1988, later releasing it to the masses in 1990. This densely moisturising serum can be used sparingly to tease flyaways back into sculpted-looking hair. Frieda was known for creating some of the most notable hairstyles of the 70’s and 80’s, including Joanna Lumley’s legendary Purdey cut. When he bottled his talent in the form of Frizz Ease, the world immediately wanted it. Today, there is an entire Frizz Ease franchise to explore, plus variations on the classic serum to suit all hair types. 

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Nothing transports you back to the decadence of the 80s quite like a hit of Dior’s Poison. Unlike the delicate scents that we know and love today – think Jo Malone London’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt or Marc Jacobs’ Daisy – Poison is a heady, bodacious scent that leaves a mark.

Launched in 1986, this juicy, spicy scent was loud and obnoxious, a fragrance to be worn by someone feeling bold and powerful. The personality of this scent is every bit as dominating as the vivid colours and fashion of the time. Poison is one of those scents that takes you into a headspace of courage and fearlessness, and I think that’s why it’s stood the test of time. This is the kind of scent you’d want to wear before delivering a big presentation to remind yourself that you can do hard things. 

© Penske Media via Getty Images

If a trip back to high school in the 1980s sounds like the perfect weekend watch, The Shards plays out like a juicy game of cat and mouse. And if you enjoyed reminiscing on these classic beauty products, I’d really recommend Sali Hughes’ book, Pretty Iconic. She delves into hundreds of bathroom cabinet staples from over the years, with stories and trivia about each of them. It’s a comforting read that I took great inspiration from when writing this piece. 

The Shards is out on Disney + now.