Ashley Rebecca
When you think of '60s makeup, there's a good chance the first thing that comes to mind is an image of Twiggy. One of the most iconic cover girls of the decade, Twiggy was famous for her doe-eyed, high-contrast eyeshadow look, which remains one of the most instantly recognizable (and replicated) to this day.
Eager to emulate it? We asked professional makeup artist Marijana Živanović for expert tips on how to recreate Twiggy's legendary eye makeup—then followed them in a step-by-step tutorial. Keep scrolling for more.
Meet the Expert
Marijana Živanović is a professional makeup artist specializing in editorial work in New York City.
Cover Your Bases
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
"To get the desired impact of this fun look, it's essential to first prime the eyelid properly," Živanović tells us. "I love using a lighter shade of cream eyeshadow as a base to even out any discoloration on the lid. In a pinch, a concealer can work too, as long as it's not too emollient."
I wanted to use something that would grab the pigment of my shadow, so I applied Danessa Myricks Beauty's Colorfix Multi-Use Eye, Cheek, and Lip Waterproof Pigment in Lift all over my lid and let it dry.
Swipe On Your Shadow
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Eyeshadow naturally comes next after primer, explains Živanović, and "whichever color you use will stand out more now that the eyelid is primed." Because Twiggy's look typically features light eyeshadow shades, I applied a soft mint green shadow all over the lid, specifically Addiction Tokyo's The Eyeshadow in Mint Drive.
Liner Is a Must
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
After you've applied shadow, "the next step would be a good amount of eyeliner along the lash line," Živanović says. "To achieve this, think more of a rounder shape versus a cat eye. The thickest part of the liner should be at the center of the eye, right above the pupil."
I applied Addiction Tokyo's The Colored Liquid Eyeliner in Black River to the top lid, extending it slightly downward in the outer corner to create a more rounded shape.
Crease Details
Byrdie / Ashley Rebeccca
After applying liquid liner, it's time to start bringing in the details that make Twiggy's look instantly recognizable: the iconic dark liner in the crease and plenty of mascara.
"When drawing the line, start slightly above the crease and use the crease as a guideline," Živanović instructs. "A good trick is to use a small pointed brush and draw a fine line with eyeshadow first. Once you get the line the way you like, you can dampen the brush and apply another layer to intensify the line, or you can go over with an eyeliner."
Živanović is a fan of long-lasting waterproof products for this portion of the look: "It's important to use products that stay on well. You wouldn't want all the mascara and liners in the crease to start smudging," she notes. I used Chanel Beauty's Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense to create the iconic half-dome shape in the crease of my lid and smoothed the line out with an angled liner brush. For more waterproof eyeliner options, check out our favorites.
Lots of Mascara
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
You can apply mascara alone or add some falsies for voluminous lashes; if you go the mascara route, Živanović recommends using as much as possible to recreate Twiggy's legendarily lush lashes.
Since my lashes are naturally long, I applied a few coats of Chanel Beauty's Le Volume De Chanel Waterproof Mascara in Noir to my top and bottom lashes. (Click here for our waterproof mascara recs.) If you opt for false eyelashes, apply your strips or individuals to mascara-coated lashes for added emphasis.
The Spider Effect
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
"There are several options to intensify the bottom lashes and get the look Twiggy was so known for," says Živanović. "One would be with mascara. The key is to use a formula that gives a lot of volume. Apply a few coats and then use tweezers to gently 'squeeze' bottom lashes together and create little lash clusters."
After applying mascara, I went in with Tweezerman Just Imagine Slant Tweezers to lightly pinch my top and bottom lashes to create spider-like clumps. You'll need to do this slowly and cautiously.
Byrdie Tip
"To make this look stand out, it's essential to cover under-eye darkness as well as possible, as it won't have the same effect otherwise," says Živanović. "I recommend using a concealer with good coverage to brighten the under-eye area and using color correction if necessary."
Add Some Fine Lines
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
To intensify the bottom lashes even more, Živanović suggests taking it one step further and adding some accent lashes. "Draw in some lines right under the bottom lashes," she says. "Start with smaller lines at the front of the eye and draw longer lines toward the end. You can use a fine liquid liner, a pencil, or even a dark eyeshadow with a fine-tip brush. Whichever you're most comfortable with."
I used the same liquid liner I used for my upper eyelid to draw delicate lines under my bottom lashes, per Živanović's instructions.
The Final, Far-Out Look
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Once your eyes are complete, you can add the final touches to your makeup look. I wanted to re-create Twiggy's soft complexion, so I added a generous swipe of Addiction Tokyo's The Blush in Rose Wish to my cheeks. For lips, I went in with Chanel Beauty's Rouge Coco Baume in Natural Charm, topped with the Rouge Coco Gloss Moisturizing Glossimer in Rose Naif for some light shine. Follow up with a setting spray to set it all in place and prevent creasing or smudging.
