How to recreate Agnetha’s look from her Abba heydays for a big, 70s bash?
Everyone remembers the blue eye shadow and Nordic blonde hair, but if you want to get the look down to a tee, start the day before.

One of Agnetha’s most striking features is her dewy, fresh complexion, so make sure your skin is glowing by exfoliating gently and applying a face pack to suit your own skin type. The day before is the best time to do this, giving your complexion time to settle down and be most receptive to moisturising overnight.

Make sure that eyebrows are plucked into a thin arch – bushy is definitely not the look! And most importantly, try and get a good night’s sleep …

On the big night, apply a sheer foundation all over; or if you have a naturally fresh appearance, a tinted moisturiser may be all you need. Cover up any blemishes, under-eye shadows, or spots, with a good concealer, dotting it on sparingly after applying foundation. Let the warmth from your fingertip blend it into your skin, and try not to rub. If your skin tends to be oily, a quick dusting of translucent powder will help to fix your base before moving on to the colour …

First, line the eyes at the base of the lashes with a deep blue liner; take this all around the eye including into the corners. At the inner corner of each eye, under the lashes, apply a dot of highlighter and blend carefully towards the outer corners, which will open and brighten the eyes. On the lids, smooth a sheer blue colour all over, and up into the brow socket; then use the highlighting colour upon the brow bone itself which will give a wonderful wide-eyed effect! Brush a coat of black mascara on, and, when dry, tip a deep blue colour just on the ends of the lashes in order to enhance the blue-eyed look.

Lips should be glossed in a natural shade; for fair skin use a pink shade; darker complexions look best with a peachier colour. There are so many lovely, light lip glosses on the market now that you’ll be spoilt for choice! Finish off the look with a dusting of blusher high on the cheeks to add to the fresh-faced, dewy look, making sure you choose a shade which complements the lip gloss.

Few of us have that distinctive Nordic blonde hair, so, if you’re a real 70s addict, why not consider buying a wig for real Agnetha appeal? Hair is parted in the centre and flicked back at the front, then brushed into a natural look – much easier to achieve those flicks than it was in the 70s though, with a whole range of hair products to choose from.

Finally, get the right look with the right gear – Swedish pop sensation style! – and prepare to be a Super Trouping Dancing Queen on that disco floor!

© Anne Lawrence 2008