The internet has decided we all need to know what we would have looked like in the ’80s. The latest AI photo trend is turning everyday selfies into grainy, retro portraits, complete with big hair, dramatic makeup and enough Bollywood glamour to make you want to dig out your mother’s old photo albums.
While AI might be responsible for the pictures, the beauty inspiration is firmly rooted in the real women who defined ’80s Bollywood. Because if there was one thing ’80s Bollywood knew how to do, it was beauty with personality. Think Rekha’s deeply kohl-rimmed eyes, Dimple Kapadia’s wild, voluminous hair, Sridevi’s colourful lids and Madhuri Dixit’s flushed cheeks and defined lips. Nothing was too subtle. The eyes did the talking, the hair had its own agenda and blush was very much meant to be seen.
If there is one beauty trend that immediately says ’80s Bollywood, it is kajal. The eyes did most of the talking, framed with generous black liner and smoked-out shadow.
Rekha remains one of the strongest references here. Her signature beauty looks often relied on intensely defined eyes, sculpted brows, and a softly glowing complexion.
For the modern version, line both the upper and lower lash lines with a creamy black kajal and gently smudge the edges. Add brown or plum eyeshadow around the socket and finish with generous mascara.
Try: Kay Beauty Waterproof 24 Hour Kajal and Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Mascara.
The ’80s Bollywood hairstyle was anything but flat. Dimple Kapadia’s abundant curls and brushed-out waves are a perfect reference for the era’s obsession with volume.
The trick today is to build volume without making the hair feel overly styled. Start with a volumising shampoo, work a lightweight styling cream through the lengths, then blow-dry with a round brush and set sections with rollers. Once cool, brush through with your fingers for that deliberately undone finish.
Try: L'Oreal Paris Collagen Lifter Volumizing Shampoo, BBlunt Dream Curl Kit and Esla Italy Volume Supreme Elixir
Your current obsession with barely-there blush? Turns out is not very ’80s. Back then, pink, coral and berry blush was part of the look, not an afterthought. Sweep it across the apples of your cheeks and slightly upwards towards the temples. Keep the edges soft, but let the colour show.
Try: NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush or a classic powder blush in a warm pink or coral.
Brown, brick, rose and berry lips were often clearly outlined before being filled in with colour. Try a slightly deeper liner around the edges, fill in with lipstick and add a little gloss in the centre.
Try: brown or berry-toned lip liners paired with rose, brick or mauve lipstick.
Colour was another important part of 80s beauty trends. Blues, lilacs, pinks, metallics and warm browns appeared on eyelids, often paired with strong black liner.
You don’t have to recreate the whole rainbow. Pick one colour, sweep it across the lid and pair it with black kajal. It instantly gives your regular makeup a little more retro energy.
Try: Sephora Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Eye Palette or Kay Beauty Eyeshadow Palette.
Skip the intense contouring and focus instead on an even, softly luminous base. A touch of cream blush, subtle highlighter and a natural-looking foundation can make the stronger eyes and lips feel surprisingly modern.
Try: E.l.f Halo Glow Liquid Filter, Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, or L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum.