VMAs 2019: The Best Skin, Hair and Makeup Looks on the Red Carpet

You can always count on MTV's annual Video Music Awards, also known as the VMAs, to serve up the bold beauty looks—and this year's event was no exception. 

On Monday night, celebs walked the red carpet in everything from rainbow roots and draped bright blush to classic red lips and wet-look hair. But the most eye-catching look of all? It just might be Gigi Hadid's monochromatic caramel makeup.

Keep scrolling for the night's best beauty!

Gigi Hadid

And this is why Gigi makes the big bucks. Could she be any more stunning?! I'm loving this understated nude lipstick and matching eyeshadow with a generous dusting of gold shimmer—it proves you don't always need dark or bright colours to stand out. Her hair is a darker blonde these days, and looks great combed off her face, with soft texture.

Gigi is wearing: Foundation in Buff Beige • Concealer in Medium • Highlighter in Metallic Rose • Bronzer in Medium • Eyeshadow in Gold • Mascara in Pitch Black • Brow pencil in Light Blonde • Lip liner in Nude Whisper and Totally Toffee • Lipstick in Baddest Beige

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee matched her lipstick to her dress, and it's perfect. I've always loved this colour on her, and the rounded shape is super pretty. She kept the look fresh with a light touch on the eye makeup (with an amazing texture to her lashes), and wore her hair long, loose and soft. Love it!

Hailee is wearing: Serum • Moisturizer • Primer • Foundation in B10 and BR20 • Concealer in 0.75 • Bronzer in Jasper • Powder • Highlighter in Light Gold and Copper • Eyeshadow in Nu • Liquid liner in Black • Mascara in High Density Black • Brow pencil in Medium Ash • Brow mascara in Brun Doré • Lip liner in Vermillion • Lipstick in Mystery Red and Red Enigma (to contour lips)

Taylor Swift

Taylor is channelling the '80s in this orangey-red matte lipstick, "scrunched" hair and jazzy Versace blazer. It's a playful look even if the makeup isn't the most modern (thanks to her signature black liquid liner that she just won't quit!). Notice how the lipstick is overdrawn to emphasize her cupid's bow. I love the bangs on her, but I think the ends of her hair are a bit wispy (I prefer blunt edges). 

FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs has a lot going on here, but I don't know—I think it kind of works? At least, I find the shimmering copper eyeshadow is quite mesmerizing, and I'm always a sucker for faux freckles. Her brows are incredible, and I can also get on board with the red hair to match the eye makeup. I just don't think we're ready for the "ring around the lips" lip liner yet.

Adriana Lima

There's no other way to put it, Adriana is a goddess. Especially in wet hair, dewy skin and silvery metallic eyeliner—like she just casually walked down the red carpet after coming from an ocean swim. Her skin is the best part, though. Holy flawless!

Adriana is wearing: Foundation in Natural Beige and Warm Honey • Concealer in Sand • Setting spray • Blush (peach shade) • Highlighter • Eyeshadow in Urban Jungle • Mascara in Classic Black • Lipstick in Driver • Lipstick in Truffle Tease

Halsey

Halsey stayed true to her pop persona (and the spirit of this event) with a bold orange blush look and even more experimental hair. The rainbow roots are a bit of fun, and we're seeing more and more of this draping technique, which takes the cheek colour all the way up past the temples. I just think this could be more tasteful with neater hair and subtler lashes (and perhaps a different outfit).

Halsey is wearing: Concealer • Highlighter in Pearl Crush • Lipstick in Hustle (on cheeks) • Lip liner in In The Nude • Lip gloss in Melted Toffee

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Before & After

Taylor Swift, Before and After

Camila Cabello

Camila's ensemble was all about the hair, worn naturally curly and cascading all the way down her back (no doubt with the help of some extensions). I love seeing curls on the red carpet, but something about this says "'80s" and not in a good way. I think it's the weird bangs! As usual, her makeup is low key, except for the flirty false lashes.

Keke Palmer

With the high neckline of her dress, Keke made the right choice to do a tight top knot. The same goes for the pink lipstick and pop of yellow eyeshadow, which pair beautifully with the bolder yellow sequins. I'm just not crazy about the makeup details when you get close-up. The black shadow, liner and false lashes, along with drawn-on eyebrows, make this feel a little harsh.

Heidi Klum

The last time we saw Heidi, her hair was a lot darker; now, she's not only sporting blonde highlights, but also a new set of bangs. I like this! It definitely makes the look more effortless, but I don't find the makeup that flattering. The pale lips are okay I guess, but when will she stop doing bottom false lashes with white waterlines?!

Alison Brie

You can't tell in this picture, but Alison's neckline was super plunging, so I find it fitting that she dressed things down with a casual bob, worn half-back with piecey texture. That's the good part. The makeup, however, is pretty strong. She has the most amazing eyes, but they're overwhelmed by the heavy brows, shadow, liner and lashes. Compare and contrast with this lighter look.

Alison is wearing: Primer • Foundation • Bronzer • Blush in Peach Perfection • Highlighter in Pearl Crush • Powder • Setting spray • Eyeshadow in Goldens • Eyeliner in Espresso • Mascara in Black • Lipstick in Crème

Bella Hadid

Every time I see a picture of Bella now, her eye area looks more and more "pulled." Is it the tight ponytail... or something surgical? If you can overlook that, her makeup is actually nice. The shimmering copper eyeshadow is an exact match with the lipstick, and is perfectly framed by curled lashes. Oh, and she's gone blonde, although it looks like she kept her roots dark.

Normani

Bold purple eyeshadow was the focus for Normani's makeup look, while she kept the rest of her face neutral. I like it, although it could be elevated by stripping away the black liner and the sharp shading at the outer corners of her lids. Hair-wise, I think she'd look amazing if she went shorter, like a blunt lob!

Zara Larsson

A makeup artist once told me to never wear pink because I already have too much of it in my skin. I can't help but think of that as I look at Zara! Even though it's a creative choice (especially with the crystal appliqués), the pink eyeshadow is not her skin's friend. Even her brow pencil has a pinky tinge. I will say that I like her casual, air-dried hair texture.

Bebe Rexha

I like Bebe's hair (yes, even the roots make sense for her), but the makeup needs to be  more fresh. A LOT more fresh. This is why I'll never be on board with the "baking" trend—it looks like her under-eye area was powdered way too much, and it's sucking the moisture out of her skin. The over-the-top-lashes, chartreuse eyeshadow (a very hard colour to wear) and goopy lips don't help matters. 

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