The '50s Makeup Trends That Everyone From Boomers To Gen Z Still Wear

The 1950s was an unforgettable era, to say the least. Not only was Old Hollywood at its epoch, but it was a decade filled with legendary fashion and beauty icons like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot. And while modern beauty trends seem to change based on the whims of social media algorithms, the '50s forged lasting makeup looks that are truly timeless. 

There is no classier combination than a cat-eye liner and a stunning red lip, which was a hallmark of the '50s. As seen in these stunning eyeliner looks from Old Hollywood's biggest stars, actors from Elizabeth Taylor to Sophia Loren stood out with their own rendition of the cat-eye look. But you can never go wrong with a red lip combo, and it seems the modern Hollywood elite agree based on these celebs who have mastered the art of the red lip. And seeing as Old Hollywood beauties such as Marilyn Monroe to Grace Kelly pulled off variations of this makeup look for years on the silver screen, it's not surprising that it's continued to be a major look with succeeding generations. 

The 1950s was a major era for makeup in general, with more women wearing it than ever before. The Smithsonian reports that following the war, which ended in 1945, 80% to 90% of American women wore lipstick, while in the '50s and '60s, cosmetic companies were increasingly aiming their adverts at teenagers, who were by then wearing more makeup. Revlon's famous "Fire & Ice" campaign, showcasing a bright red lip was released in 1952 during the Boomer era. The campaign was groundbreaking and still resonates with women today. 

The cat-eye liner and red lip combo seems to be an irresistible makeup look that's carried on straight to the Millennial generation and beyond. One of the most evident examples of this is pop megastar Taylor Swift, whose cat-eye liner and red lip has become synonymous with her name. Swift started wearing the look in 2009 and has stayed loyal to it since. And it seems Swift really understands why the legendary beauties of Old Hollywood stuck to a red lip, as she exclusively told E! News that the color "really helps you show emotion." 

"Red is mother nature's signal color — think of hummingbirds and their attraction to red," Leatrice Eiseman, executive director at Pantone Color Institute, exclusively shared with InStyle. "It is a dynamic color that is impossible to ignore." And since Swift commands a veritable army of obsessed, devoted fans, it's no wonder that Gen Z has also been caught in a chokehold. From YouTube tutorials to TikTok shorts, Gen Z has put their own spin on the winged liner while showing that the 1950s trend is here to stay.