Frosted Pinks & Power Reds: The Ultimate Guide to 80s Lipstick
More Than Makeup, It Was a Mood
Joan Collins sipping champagne in Dynasty, Madonna biting her lip on the Like a Virgin album cover, and Cyndi Lauper giggling through glitter stained lips in every MTV appearance. In the 1980s, lipstick didn’t whisper; it shouted. Loudly. Lipstick was our secret weapon, our mood ring, our battle cry in a tube.
The 80s Lipstick Philosophy: “More is More”
The 70s gave us soft earth tones and au naturel vibes, but by the time the 80s hit, we were done playing small. Enter: power suits, teased hair that could catch radio signals, and lipstick as bright as our Walkman cases. We weren’t just wearing makeup we were claiming space. Lipstick was how we told the world, “I’m here, and you’re gonna see me.”
The Iconic Colors & Finishes
Let’s break it down like your Caboodles case:
Power Reds & Burgundy
Think Madonna’s “Express Yourself” era. These shades were unapologetic and often came in rich, matte finishes. Deep cherry, crimson, and wine perfect for commanding a room or a roller rink.
Hot Pinks & Fuchsia
If you didn’t have at least one neon pink lipstick, were you even an 80s teen? These shades were electric, almost glowing, and usually creamy with a gloss on top.
The Signature Frosts
No 80s lip look was complete without a frosty finish. We’re talking icy pinks, pale lilacs, and mauve tones that caught the light (and maybe a boy’s attention at the mall). Frosted lipstick was the OG filter.
Daring Corals & Plums
For those of us who didn’t quite vibe with pink or red, coral and plum were go-to alternatives. They felt artsy, grown-up, and just a touch rebellious.
How to Get the Look: The True 80s Lip Technique
Step 1: The Defined Liner
Forget blending. The 80s liner showed up. We often used a liner darker than our lipstick to create dramatic contrast. Think “lip contour” before TikTok made it a thing.
Step 2: The Color Pop
Fill in with a slightly lighter lipstick shade bonus points if you used your finger to dab it in for that “blotted but still bold” effect.
Step 3: The Frosted Finish
Top it off with a shiny, icy gloss. Shine was everything. The glossier, the better.
The Brands & Their Legendary Shades
Revlon
Queen of the drugstore shelf. “Cherries in the Snow” was that timeless red your mom wore (and probably still does).
Maybelline
Their “Shades of You” collection made a real impact, especially for women of color, which wasn’t common at the time.
CoverGirl
Fun, bright, and budget-friendly. If you were experimenting in middle school, you probably had a CoverGirl lipstick.
MAC Cosmetics
Founded in 1984, MAC became the brand for makeup artists. Madonna herself rocked “Russian Red” on tour. Enough said.
Mood Lipstick & Lip Smackers
Yes, mood lipstick was real science (or so we believed). One color on the tube, another on your lips. Lip Smackers? Total tween royalty Dr. Pepper, Cotton Candy, Watermelon.
Get the Look Today: Modern Dupes for 80s Classics
Wanna time travel via Sephora? Try these:
Power Red like Madonna: MAC’s Ruby Woo matte, rich, iconic.
Frosted Pink like Cyndi Lauper: ColourPop’s Frost Bite or NYX’s Frosted Lilac.
Deep Burgundy: Fenty Beauty’s Underdawg or NARS Bette.
Electric Fuchsia: Maybelline’s Pink Pop still delivers that punch.
Coral Glow: Charlotte Tilbury’s Sexy Sienna for a modern update.
The Legacy of the Bold Lip
The 80s didn’t invent lipstick, but they definitely made it louder. What we wore on our lips said everything about how we saw ourselves and how we wanted the world to see us. Today’s bold lip trends? They walk the path paved by our Revlon slicked strides.
So whether you’re reliving your teen years or introducing your kid to the magic of Mood lipstick, just remember: it’s not just makeup. It’s a memory, a moment, a mood.
