The ’70s and ’80s were all about self-expression and experimenting with bold, new looks. But not every beauty trend from back then has aged gracefully. From questionable skincare practices to hair routines that did more damage than good, these hacks might have seemed like a good idea at the time—but looking back, they were downright horrible. Join us as we revisit 13 outdated beauty hacks that had us all shaking our heads (and maybe our frizzy hair) in disbelief.
1. Hairspray for Everything
If you lived through the ’80s, you probably went through a can of Aqua Net a week. Hairspray wasn’t just for keeping those sky-high bangs in place—it was used to set makeup, tame flyaways, and even as an emergency fix for a run in your stockings. The problem? All that hairspray left hair crunchy, brittle, and practically flammable. And let’s not even talk about the ozone layer damage—our hair wasn’t the only thing we were destroying.
2. Sun-In Hair Lightener
Who needed a salon when you had Sun-In? This lemon-scented spray promised sun-kissed highlights without the cost of professional dye. The hack was simple: spritz it on and sit in the sun. However, the results often turned hair brassy or orange, especially for those with darker shades. Plus, the combination of bleach and UV rays left hair dry and damaged, leading to brittle strands and split ends.
3. Vaseline as Eye Gloss
Applying Vaseline to your eyelids for a glossy, dewy look was a quick way to shine—literally. This hack was all about that wet-look glamour, but it came with a sticky price. Vaseline could trap dirt and makeup particles, leading to clogged pores and breakouts around the eyes. And if you weren’t careful, a bit too much shine could quickly turn from runway chic to “just dipped my face in a grease trap.”
4. Baby Oil for Tanning
Before SPF became a household term, slathering on baby oil and laying out in the sun was a go-to beauty routine. The oil intensified the sun’s rays, helping achieve that deep, golden tan. Unfortunately, it also led to sunburns, peeling skin, and long-term damage that showed up years later as wrinkles and sunspots. Many of those sun worshippers are now facing the consequences, including an increased risk of skin cancer.
5. Perming Everything
The ’80s were all about volume, and nothing said “I’m trendy” quite like a perm. People permed not only their natural hair but also bangs, extensions, and even short hairstyles. The harsh chemicals used in the perming process left hair dry, frizzy, and often resembling a poodle’s coat. What started as a quest for curls often ended with salon tears and regrettable photos.
6. Toothpaste for Pimples
A dab of toothpaste on a zit was a classic hack, thanks to its menthol and baking soda ingredients that promised to dry out blemishes. While it sometimes did reduce the size of a pimple overnight, it also often left behind dry, irritated skin. The strong ingredients in toothpaste were never designed for delicate facial skin, leading to redness, peeling, and sometimes even burns.
7. Using Lipstick as Blush
Back in the day, if you forgot your blush, you could just dab some lipstick on your cheeks and blend. While it did add a pop of color, lipstick formulas weren’t designed for use on the skin and could clog pores. The waxy texture made blending a challenge, and the colors often skewed too bold or greasy. What was meant to be a rosy glow sometimes ended up looking more like clown cheeks.
8. Blue Eyeshadow Everywhere
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of blue eyeshadow—when used sparingly. But the ’80s took it to an extreme, with vibrant blue hues applied from the lash line all the way up to the brow bone. The one-shade-fits-all approach didn’t flatter every skin tone and often looked harsh in natural light. It was a trend that worked for the dance floor but not so much for everyday life.
9. Razor-Thin Brows
In the quest for the perfect arch, many women in the ’70s and ’80s overplucked their eyebrows until they were barely there. The ultra-thin brows required constant maintenance and often resulted in a perpetually surprised expression. Worse yet, overplucking could damage the hair follicles, leading to sparse brows that never fully grew back. Many are still recovering from this trend, turning to microblading and brow serums to undo the damage.
10. Mayonnaise Hair Masks
For a deep-conditioning treatment, some turned to the fridge rather than the beauty aisle, slathering mayonnaise onto their hair. While the oils in mayo did offer some moisturizing benefits, the greasy residue was tough to wash out. The smell wasn’t exactly pleasant, either, and leaving mayonnaise on for too long could even lead to a sour scent. There are better (and less smelly) ways to nourish your hair these days.
11. Using Beer as Shampoo
The idea behind this hack was that the proteins in beer could strengthen hair and add shine. People would pour beer over their hair in the shower or mix it with their regular shampoo. While it might have added a bit of temporary volume, the smell of stale beer was hard to shake. Plus, pouring alcohol on your hair wasn’t exactly a moisturizing experience, leaving strands dry and crunchy.
12. Taping Your Face for a Lift
Long before contouring and face-lift serums, some women used scotch tape or surgical tape to pull back their skin for an instant lift. The trick involved strategically placing tape at the temples or under the chin, hidden under hair or hats. While it could create a temporary tightening effect, the discomfort and risk of pulling at delicate skin weren’t worth it. The effect often looked unnatural and sometimes even distorted facial features.
13. Teasing Hair to the Heavens
The bigger the hair, the closer to heaven—or so the saying went in the ’80s. Teasing involved backcombing hair to create volume, often followed by heavy layers of hairspray to keep everything in place. The result was hair that defied gravity, but at a cost—teasing caused tangles, breakage, and damage that could take ages to repair. The morning ritual of detangling a teased mane was nothing short of a battle.
These beauty hacks might have seemed harmless at the time, but in hindsight, they were more likely to damage our hair, skin, and self-esteem than to boost our beauty. While trends will always come and go, at least we’ve moved on to safer, gentler, and more effective ways to look and feel our best.
