You Won’t Believe What Makeup Looked Like in 2013—Shocking Retro Secrets Inside! - Redraw

Understanding the Context

The Makeup Aesthetic of 2013: A Retro Surprise

In 2013, makeup looked refreshingly vintage by modern standards, mixing elements from the 80s and early 2000s with a fresh, quirky twist. Lookers sported bold eyeliners in dramatic winged shapes, matte lipsticks in stunning neon or rich plum shades, and foundations that often looked cakey or heavily tinted. Freckles, smoky eyes, and thick coats of mascara were all the rage—seemingly exaggerated even by today’s Instagram-filtered norms.

But here’s what truly shocked audiences: the line between natural and over-the-top blurred. Beauty trends leaned heavily into high contrast, using liner beyond the eyes—sometimes wrapping around brows or even onto cheeks. Bold color pops in lips and eyes weren’t subtle; they were unapologetically prominent.

Key Insights

Surprising Trends That Defined 2013:

1. The Return of Cathverse Glam
A nostalgic nod to the earlier 2000s, the Cathverse (short for Catherine Vanial) makeup look returned with full winged eyeliner, dramatic contrasts, and glossy lips framed by kohl-rimmed eyes. Though popular then, today it feels strikingly retro compared to today’s softer aesthetics.

2. The Birth of Bold, Matte Matte
Matte lips were unapologetically intense. Shades ranged from deep berries to electric blue and neon pink—colors so vivid they seemed unnatural. Matte foundations emphasized even texture but lacked modern lightweight formulas, often resulting in caked, heavy coverage.

3. Hyper-Eyebrow Obsession
Makeup artists and celebrities flaunted heavily defined brows, sometimes going so far as to outline every strand with black liner. This gave faces a sharp, graphic edge unheard of in today’s more natural-but-soft trends.

4. Dramatic Categories That Widened the Gap

• Winged liner: Extended well beyond eyelid into outer corners, often with multiple wings.
  
• Rowboat eyes: A smeared inner liner blending into the outer corner—edgy and bold.
  
• Thick glossy mascara: Lash lines thickened and curved upward dramatically.

Final Thoughts

How 2013 Makeup Differs from Today’s Beauty Standards

While modern makeup celebrates enough skin, subtle blending, and “natural” vibes, 2013 embraced theatricality with little restraint. The era celebrated excess—pigments were intense, formulas heavy, and looks designed to turn heads instantly. This retro shock factor now feels refreshingly unrestrained.

Moreover, 2013 lacked today’s skin-first approach: before lightweight foundations, hydrating serums, and individualized color matching became mainstream, makeup often came at the cost of skin health. This freeze-frame moment captures beauty as pure showmanship, not just skin care.

Why It’s Fascinating (and How This Shaped Modern Trends)