Beauty Trend: 80s Makeup, Modernized

The Fall 2009 runways announced the return of - gasp - the 80s. And we're not just talking shoulder pads.

At the Marc Jacobs show, makeup artist Francois Nars reintroduced the decade's most colorful trends: yellow shadow, frosted lips and hard core liner, to name a few.

But don't gag yourself with a spoon just yet. We asked the pros for tips on how to modernize these looks. In other words: how to take them from totally tubular to cutting edge.

- By Julie Redfern

Kristian Dowling, Getty Images

Back in the 80s, any valley girl worth her side ponytail - Madonna included - puckered up hot pink.

Now, says celebrity makeup artist Carmindy, "Unless you're Lady Gaga, heavy, opaque pink lips won't work." To make this trend more current, she recommends sheer lipsticks and glosses. "They'll still read hot pink, but will look much more modern," she adds.

Retna Ltd

The 80s gave us an eyeful of not only bold shadow, but of even bolder lashes - electric blue and vivid purple were among the most popular mascaras.

If you choose to blink in color, opt for deeper shades such as navy, eggplant and evergreen. They're more sophisticated (and subtle) and the richness of color helps to brighten the eye.

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The ultimate companion to blue eye shadow, the frosted lip could be the decades' most iconic. (Who can forget Revlon's Zinc Pink and Frosted Brownie, or Belinda Carlisle for that matter?)

To make the look more 2009, choose peach, bronze and nude tones with a glistening finish. They wear well on every skin tone and are light enough to give off a frosted effect.

Lynn Goldsmith, Corbis

Girls can still have fun wearing blue eye shadow. It's a matter of finding the right shade.

"Back in the 80s, our color choices were limited and didn't complement the skin," says makeup artist Shawnelle Prestige. "Now, we have unlimited access to a range of shades so you're sure to find the perfect color." The most flattering blues: midnight, indigo and soft, sheer hues.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images for IMG

It was the quintessential rock star look made famous by the likes of Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde: severely lined eyes, in the blackest of black.

To play the rocker part today, "apply black liner along the top lash line and a lighter colored shadow on the bottom. This softens the look and makes it more wearable," says Carmindy.

Chris Walter, WireImage

Dramatic stripes of bold blush made their mark on everyone - Brook Shields to Pat Benatar to the entire cast of Knots Landing.

And while contouring is still a trick used by top makeup artists, now it's done in a subtler way. "To get the most natural looking contour, choose a shade that's slightly deeper than your skin tone and gently sweep it from the ear lobe toward the nose," says Prestige.

Ron Galella, WireImage

"Runway trends should not be taken literally; they should inspire," says Carmindy, which means the bright yellow, Cyndi Lauper-esque lids spotted there, should stay there.

If you do want to try the trend, Carmindy recommends a golden-yellow shadow swept gently across the lids paired with black mascara and a bare face. "This interpretation will make you look on trend and not over the top," she says.

Hanne Jordan, Camera Press / Retna Ltd.

It was referred to as 80s glam - the patent leather red lips and full face of heavy makeup worn by the cast of Dynasty and the notorious Robert Palmer girls.

According to the pros, bold makeup is back, only this time with a less is more approach. "Focus on one part of the face at a time," says makeup artist Mally Roncal. "If you wear a red lip, pair it with a few coats of mascara and a light dusting of blush."

Aaron Spelling Productions / Everett Collection

Matching your nails to your fluorescent, shoulder-skimming sweatshirt was so totally 80s. It just so happens, it's very 2009, too - the neon nail color, that is.

Celebrities (Drew Barrymore!) and beauty insiders have been spotted wearing glow-in-the-dark tips in shades of neon yellow, blue and pink. If you're not ready to resurrect the trend, try wearing it on the toes. It's less daring, but still keeps you in-the-know.

Carlo Allegri, AP