I went to a 60s-themed black tie dinner last weekend, and while I deal in vintage clothing for a living (and wear it every day), I had some trouble figuring out the best way to go all out classy for such an affair. Luckily the Internet holds the answers to all dilemmas, and I used it for inspiration to put together the look you see above. Here the four products I discovered you need to look like a glamorous 60s socialite!
1. A Bumpit. Snicker all you want, Bumpits are the easiest way to get that 60s poof without lots and lots of teasing. Since I am completely inept at styling my hair, it was very nice to get a classic look just by brushing my locks back over some plastic.
2. Fake nails. I went all out for the party and donned fake French tips that were “medium length.” I had wanted long ones but Target didn’t have them, and thankfully so; the medium nails made it near impossible to text, type or do much of anything in. Luckily they looked awesome and glamorous, so being mildly inconvenienced for a night was worth it.
3. False eyelashes. Most of my look was fake as Dolly Parton, but sometimes that’s a fun way to go. This was my first experience using false eyelashes, and it wasn’t easy. I messed up their application about eight times (and somehow got adhesive all over my face), but when I got them on and applied some mascara, I had the perfect 60s supermodel lashes.
4. Sparkles, sparkles sparkles. Nothing says “60s socialite” like a beaded dress or shell top, both of which are too glitzy for everyday wear. So I got to break out the above eye-catching dress for the first time in years, and it was so much fun to waltz around in! I also nabbed some color-changing aurora rhinestone earrings, to add one last touch of sparkle.
The party was absolutely wonderful, everyone looked dashing and I had a great time being dressed up all night. Why can’t people host black tie events more often? But I was surrounded by good food and good friends, which means the event would have been a success even if the attire was “black garbage bag.”
Do you have any beauty advice for getting a retro look?
rose / 759 posts
Smokey eye makeup for sure & red lipstick. I like sparkles for every day wear, though. Assuming it’s moderate
guest
I don’t have any advice, but if I needed it, I would ask my mother in law. She specialized in the look back in the day. Big hair, big lashes and long nails, she did it all. (She still loves sparkles. Not on her face, but any blouse, dress or shoes with jewels or beading, she’s all over it.) I did see on The Beauty Department blog recently with some tips on applying false lashes. Typically the adhesive is applied to the lash strip. The beauty expert on the blog suggested using an eyeliner brush and applying the glue to the eyelid in the same manner as eyeliner and then sticking the false lashes.
guest
Bumpits are one of those things that could have been useful and beneficial to the hairstyling world, if it were not abused by well-meaning sorority girls who would put their hair in a ponytail over a bumpit, and make their skulls look deformed. I had briefly considered getting one, as I too enjoy retro bouffant hair.