From Vampy Lipstick to Dewy Skin: 24 of the Best Skin, Hair and Makeup Looks Lately
As soon as I saw the newly long-haired Lily Collins sporting dramatically dark berry lips, I KNEW she'd be heading up this week's flock of beauty inspiration. (She's got extensions now, courtesy of stylist Mara Roszak.) Also loving: Alexa Chung's end-of-summer glow and Alison Brie's baby pink lipstick.
These were the best celebrity beauty looks this week:
Lily Collins
Lily is back on her game! Not all of you liked her brief stint with short hair (especially with this minimal makeup look), but we can all agree the longer locks are stunning on her. Then those brows, lashes and LIPS, oh my! I love the contrast of the vampy berry mouth against her pale skin, with no visible eyeliner, just fluffy lashes and taupe shadow. It would be nice if the lip liner weren't quite so visible here, but it doesn't bother me so much in the darker colour.
Alexa Chung
Hooray, it's a good week when we get to see Lily and Alexa. She looks like she just stepped off the beach for this red carpet event, with dewy, sun-kissed skin and messy, air-dried hair. (Thank goodness for Alexa, huh? She'd die before doing her hair and makeup like this crowd.) That red lipstick is making her blue eyes pop like crazy.
Alison Brie
Alison is a surprise favourite for me this week, and it's all because of this bright Barbie pink lipstick shade. I don't know what it is, but I want it immediately! Looks fab with her skin tone, and brown hair (I always think brunettes wear pink best). I appreciate that her lashes are just normal, too. However, I do think a brow expert could work some magic on her brow shape, and I wouldn't have filled them in so deeply.
Kate Mara
Yep, I'm still convinced this is Kate's Life Cut. And her makeup is gorgeous here. This is a great example of a someone rocking a dark lipstick on smaller lips. I think it works because the edges are all soft and rounded, not sharp and pointy. (Not sure what that one tiny line on the upper right is... lipstick bleeding? A stray brush hair?) Her eye makeup is interesting, with a mix of yellow gold blending into copper. And natural lashes again!
Kate is wearing: Lipstick in Sin
AnnaSophia Robb
Okay, AnnaSophia is a blonde babe, but not such a generic one. I'm blown away by how radiant and healthy she looks here—sparkling eyes, flawless skin and a great smile. I love what she did with the jet-black liner all the way around her eyes, with a thicker line up top; it's such a nice contrast with her fair colouring. Lips are sheer pink with a touch of shine, and her full, dark brows are amazing. Notice the tiny braid standing in for a headband.
Ashley Madekwe
Ashley is at the same event as Alexa Chung—must've been a hot day in New York! Even still, I think she looks gorgeous. Her beautiful skin needs only lashes, skinny liner and a bit of gold shadow for adornment; hair is loose and tucked back behind both ears. I hear a lot of people complaining about their high foreheads, but Ashley shows hers off, and it's actually beautiful, not a "flaw."
Camilla Belle
If there was a brow-off, who would win—Lily or Camilla? I'm torn, because I love Camilla's full but more shaped arches as well. For this look, she paired them with equally strong eye makeup. I don't actually hate the false lashes, as they kinda balance things. The black shadow goes out sharp on the diagonal, but then fades as it goes up to the crease. I like that she kept the rest of her makeup nude, and her hair simple in a low ponytail.
Camilla is wearing: Eyeshadow in Étude • Eyeliner in Rapidblack • False lashes in No. 126 • Brow pencil in Dark Brunette • Lip pencil in Stripdown • Lip gloss in Striptease
Katy Perry
Take off the lip liner, bronzer and blush, and I'd be all for this '60s glam look that Katy is wearing. She's the perfect candidate for the voluminous off-the-face hairstyle, and the hit of navy blue along her upper lash lines is great. (I can even deal with false lashes on her.) I just don't know why she added that truly dreadful hue to her cheeks, and her lips look too harsh, not soft.
Rita Ora
In comparison, Rita knows how to give good lipstick. Her red mouth is just perfect here! Beautiful creamy texture and lovely rounded shape with precise edges and no visible liner. The lashes are too heavy, but the shimmering taupe shadow is nice. Where things fall apart is the hairstyle, or lack thereof. A scraped-back updo would've been far better.
Vanessa Hudgens
This is technically wrong, but actually SO right. If you follow designer Jeremy Scott at all, then you know wacky hairstyles like this are his thing. So it's a nice tribute that Vanessa wore an experimental 'do to his movie premiere—it's really quite adorable on her. The cat eyes keep the theme going, but I probably would have chosen either the white inner corner highlights or the cool-toned pink lip. To have both cheapens it just a tad.
Julia Goldani Telles
It's not until you get close-up that you appreciate Julia's beauty game. Baby blue liner in the lower waterlines? Yes please, especially with natural brows, taupe shadow and seamlessly flushing lips and cheeks. It looks like she's not even wearing mascara, and certainly didn't curl her lashes... how runway of her.
Kristen Stewart
I really enjoy Kristen now, and I think it's her "I don't care" attitude that has become increasingly appealing! That's definitely the undercurrent to this low-key hair and makeup, which is all about black liner in the waterlines, smudged out for a sooty look, and natural lashes. I want to run my fingers through her waved hair.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota, too, went super-subdued in Venice. It looks like she didn't style her hair at all, just threw it up in a low bun, with face-framing pieces at the front. Again, I applaud the natural lashes (I feel like they've become the exception, not the rule!) and that soft, warm red lip colour is fabulous.
Amber Heard
I'm not so crazy about her Ombré, but otherwise Amber is a goddess here. She really is the best wearer I've seen of these pinky-brown tones (starting from way back when, at the 2014 Golden Globes). Great brows, and I love the little bit of shimmer on her lids. Also, how amazing is her hair texture?!
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
All the dewy people in this post were at the same event, just so you know! However, Mary is looking good in a shaggy bob that has the most wonderful tone of brown. (A perfect match to her eye colour.) I like her makeup as well: normal lashes, glossy stained lips and bold but well-blended blush.
Margot Robbie
We haven't seen Margot since the Oscars after-parties. She has already grown out her lob! I like the longer length on her, and do prefer her as a blonde... just not sure if this is her right blonde. Could be the lighting, but I feel like it's making her skin too pink. Makeup is nice and subdued, with soft definition around the (normal!) lashes, and a sheer, warm brownish lip tone that everyone is wearing lately.
Emilia Clarke
It's always exciting to see what Emilia will come up with, and this time, she's giving us a wavy faux long bob with subtle black cat eyes and juicy, shimmery lips. I'm not sure the hairstyle is working 100 percent, but who cares—she always looks incredible. She's like the English Marion Cotillard, am I right?
Elizabeth Olsen
And here's why you've gotta be careful about contouring. In the bright outdoor light at Deauville, even Elizabeth just looks like she's got a big slash of brown on her cheek! But nevermind; the rest of this is all good. The tawny lips, natural brows and super-defined natural lashes look fresh and pretty. I adore her hair this way, in a deep side part with soft waves and a mid-length.
Ireland Baldwin
The last time we saw Ireland, she was pouting all sexay at the 2014 VMAs; it looks like she's dialled that down a tad, which is great. I'm getting some Holland Roden vibes from her new strawberry blonde hair and peachy makeup. Perhaps a bit too shimmery, but definitely more sleek than last time.
Rachel McAdams
Like Lily and Kate, Rachel also went for a dramatic, deep berry lipstick. But I can't help but feel disappointed that she wore it with a not-so-nice pair of false lashes. You're better than that, Rachel! I also feel like her highlights should be better and not so ashy, but that could be the lighting.
Rachel is wearing: Lip pencil in Matte Raspberry 10C • Lipstick in 34 • Lip stain in 503
Alicia Vikander
My new beauty crush Alicia is not letting me down here. How gorgeous is she with her hair tied back (with a cute lil' roll at the front) and this neutral, matte makeup? Keeping the lips so pale brings the focus to her big brown eyes. Sure, I would've preferred not to use the lashes, but it's still a beautiful look.
Natalie Portman
Natalie looks so good with the most severe of hairstyles: straight and stuck to the head in a strict side part, and a chignon at the back. Skin is looking a bit too natural, but I love her makeup, especially the raspberry pink lipstick and blush. (Lashes, too!) I love that she didn't go for the expected choice, which would be a red mouth.
Natalie is wearing: Lipstick in 983 Insoumise
Penélope Cruz
Whoa, we haven't seen Penélope since the 2014 Oscars! Still ageless and movie star-gorgeous, wearing her signature pale lips with soft '60s eyes. The hair is channelling Audrey Hepburn—how do these woman manage to look so good in baby bangs?! I don't know whether the freckles are real or if it's a case of a makeup artist drawing them on to make the foundation look more natural.
Demi Moore
OMG, I must know what vitamins Demi is taking, because her hair is impossibly shiny! She is looking amazing... Ashton who? The stained lips, flushed cheeks and jet-black lashes really work for her.
Who had your favourite beauty look lately?