The Most Iconic Makeup Looks From Legendary '60s Models

The 1960s gave birth to the evergreen idea of supermodels in the modern sense. In the '90s, we had Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista — all of whom are still trend-setting today — but 30 years prior, their predecessors were paving the way to international stardom for models. Influential women like Jean Shrimpton, Donyale Luna, and Twiggy emerged as style icons that transcended photoshoots and runways to become synonymous with the decade at large. Case in point: their makeup. 

Makeup in the 1960s was different from any other decade before (though it shared a few similarities with the experimental looks of the 1920s). With graphic eyeliner, heavy eyeshadow in bold colors, and an overall editorial vibe, this decade's beauty was revolutionary. Models like Penelope Tree and Peggy Moffitt helped to popularize the Mod makeup look across the globe, as women everywhere embraced the dynamic style of London's Swinging Sixties unapologetically. Like the celeb outfits from the '60s that define the era's style, these makeup looks are not only editorial and eternally iconic, but still influence many makeup artists today. These are some of the most legendary makeup moments from iconic '60s models.

With her wide eyes and small lips, Penelope Tree stood out from her modeling peers, establishing herself as one of the 1960s' most uniquely stunning models. Even today, Penelope Tree is still a stunner (and a runway star). During a Vogue photoshoot in 1967, Tree rocked one of her most editorial makeup looks. Tree's base and lips were kept neutral, allowing her eyes to make a statement, but she wore downturned graphic eyeliner that gave her a striking appearance. 

Jane Birkin was one of the most iconic figures of the 1960s. The model, actor, and singer captured the spirit of the decade through her characteristic mystique and effortlessly chic style you'll want to attain. During a 1969 photoshoot, Birkin rocked understated makeup that maintained a definitive '60s flair. Her lips and cheeks were blushed pink, while her eyes were emphasized with graphic eyeliner and individually drawn lower lashes. Unlike the widely spaced lashes of fellow '60s icon Twiggy, Birkin's lashes in this look were tightly clustered together, giving her a doe-like appearance.

When you think of iconic 1960s beauty pioneers, Twiggy is typically the first name to come to mind. Twiggy helped popularize the Mod look with her androgynous vibe and unique style. One of her photoshoots from 1967showcases the model's most iconic makeup look. Twiggy's base was kept sheer, showcasing her freckles and her lips with a glossy neutral. Her eyes, as in most other looks from the decade, were the focal piece of the shoot with a dark line drawn above her eyelid and wispy drawn-on lower lashes. 

Donyale Luna made history as the first Black supermodel. She effectively changed the modeling world forever in the 1960s, blazing a path for other Black models to have a place in the industry. In a photo from 1966, Luna's expressive eye makeup featured two lines drawn underneath her eye and above her eyelid, with both extending past the outer corner of her eye. To add to the drama, Luna's prominent eyebrows were emphasized with a high arch. Luna's look is one of the decade's most iconic.

Peggy Moffitt's look was entirely different from her contemporaries. With her sharp black pageboy haircut and exotic flair, Moffitt epitomized dynamic '60s style. The model was often photographed in bold eyeshadow, and this 1965 photoshoot was no different. If anything, it was particularly bold. Moffitt's cat-eye eyeshadow came to a point at the outer corners of her eyes, providing the dynamic shape synonymous with '60s beauty. Similarly to the other models on this list, Moffitt's lips were purposefully neutral so as to allow her eye makeup to shine.  

As one of the 1960s' first supermodels, Jean Shrimpton was a trendsetter. Alongside fellow icon Twiggy, the English model and actor is celebrated for pushing Mod style worldwide. In one 1963 photoshoot, Shrimpton rocked one of her most unique looks. Unlike the daring Mod ensembles to come, this look bridged the gap between decades. Shrimpton's bright coral lip evoked the energy of Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, while her graphic eye look was firmly set in the Swinging Sixties.