Beauty trends are an ever-changing cycle, so it’s no wonder the ‘60s have made their way back into the mainstream. But are we complaining? No!
The decade’s bold eye makeup was inspired by a London-based youth subculture called the Mods — short for modernists. It was catapulted into pop culture in the mid-’60s by one of the world’s first international supermodels, Dame Lesley Hornby, more famously known by her nickname ‘Twiggy.’
Aptly named ‘the Twiggy,’ her makeup featured a radiant pastel eyeshadow highlighted by a striking cut crease and thick eyeliner accentuating the pupil, coming together with drawn-on lower lashes which she modeled after a doll. The quintessential staple was also made famous by English model Jean Shrimpton, legendary singer Diana Ross and the late actress Sharon Tate.
The era’s influence has remained consistent through the decades and is back in full swing now — but with a modern twist.
Pop superstar Ariana Grande’s “Positions” music video and release of her sixth studio record of the same name in October 2020 officially revived the trend. In the album’s promotional photoshoot, Grande’s trademark cat-eye eyeliner is complemented by a lightened lid and a defined wing shape with lashes atop — a chic, contemporary take on Mod makeup.
Beth Harmon, the main protagonist in Netflix’s smash-hit “The Queen’s Gambit,” and played by Anya Taylor-Joy sports floating eyeliner in the series’ sixth episode.
Taylor-Joy went full retro when she hosted the season finale of “Saturday Night Live” in May, shining in layered metallic eyeshadows and sharp Twiggyesque graphic liner while wielding a subtle eyelash for a finishing touch.
Want to try this look for the upcoming semester or just for fun? Here’s our guide to ‘the Twiggy’:
What You’ll Need:
The products listed below are what VALLEY recommends based on affordability and effectiveness.
- Eye primer: Milani Eyeshadow Primer ($6.99)
- Matte white eyeshadow: NYX Hot Singles Eyeshadow in ‘Whipped Cream’ ($4.50)
- Matte black eyeshadow: Anastasia Beverly Hills Ultra Matte Eyeshadow Single in ‘Noir’ ($12)
- Black liquid eyeliner: Colourpop Cosmetics BFF Liquid Liner in ‘Black’ ($8)
- White pencil eyeliner: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in ‘Milk’ ($4.50)
- Angled brush: Morphe M165 Angled Liner/Brow Brush ($5)
What You’ll Do:
- First, prep your eyelids by applying an eyeshadow primer and let it set for a couple of minutes. This helps your eyeshadow last longer throughout the day and intensifies pigmentation. You can blend with a brush of your choice or by using your fingers, but be sure to wash your hands first.
- Here’s where the fun begins: use an angled brush to apply black eyeshadow just above your crease in an arch, extending from the inner corner of your eye and descending downward to your outer corner — almost like a half-circle. We suggest using an eyeshadow rather than an eyeliner since it’s easier to blend and leaves room to fix mistakes (It’s all about the process!).
- If you have hooded eyes, British make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury advises feeling where the natural bone of the socket of your eye begins and tracing it to where the bone ends.
- Next, apply matte white eyeshadow all over your lids. White was the go-to hue of the Mod movement, but Twiggy also sometimes wore other colors like blue, green and purple.
- Then, using a black liquid eyeliner, line your upper lash line. Twiggy did not flick hers outward at the end and tended to follow her eye line downward to elongate it.
- Line your waterline with a white pencil eyeliner to get the exaggerated, doe-eyed effect.
- Now, it’s time to bring it all together with the eyelashes. Coat your top lashes with a mascara of your choice, but for the bottom lashes, Twiggy often drew hers on with black eyeliner for precise lines or applied false lashes. How you complete this last step depends on your personal preference.
Tag us @VALLEYmag on Instagram and Twitter with a photo of your Mod makeup!
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