Last night’s American Music Awards sort of made us miss award shows. Taylor Swift performed “Blank Space” for the first time (prompting countless sofa sing-alongs), Selena Gomez crooned a ballad that was clearly directed at ex-beau Justin Bieber, and Jennifer Lopez showed up looking better than pretty much everyone half her age.
It was the right amount of tabloid fodder and celebrity eye candy to make us actually excited for the Golden Globes — until, of course, the SAG Awards roll around, and we’re all tired of seeing Jennifer Lawrence trip and fall for the millionth time.
The beauty on the red carpet, we should note, was also pretty excellent. There was a T. Swift sans red lips, a fresh-faced Kendall Jenner, and the biggest, baddest hair ever on newcomer Zendaya — not to mention Lorde's lipstick smear heard 'round the world. It was a little bit '90s mixed with all-out glamour. Click through to see who made our list for the favorites of the evening.
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Taylor Swift
We here at R29 Beauty once went through great pains to document 20 different ways Taylor Swift has worn red lipstick. Last night, she flipped the script on us, opting for a pinkish-nude lip with superbly bronzed skin and a smoky eye. You win this round, Taylor.
We here at R29 Beauty once went through great pains to document 20 different ways Taylor Swift has worn red lipstick. Last night, she flipped the script on us, opting for a pinkish-nude lip with superbly bronzed skin and a smoky eye. You win this round, Taylor.
Charli XCX
Makeup pro Colby Smith opted for classic Hollywood glamour on the “Boom Clap” singer, who sported a red lip (Armani Lip Maestro in #400) with an exaggerated cat-eye.
Makeup pro Colby Smith opted for classic Hollywood glamour on the “Boom Clap” singer, who sported a red lip (Armani Lip Maestro in #400) with an exaggerated cat-eye.
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Rita Ora
The slick, origami top knot is giving us '90s vibes, but the nude makeup palette (courtesy of pro Kathy Jeung) keeps Rita’s look decidedly modern.
The slick, origami top knot is giving us '90s vibes, but the nude makeup palette (courtesy of pro Kathy Jeung) keeps Rita’s look decidedly modern.
Lucy Hale
It’s so refreshing to see the Pretty Little Liars star (and country crooner) evolving her personal style. Her fresh long bob, courtesy of Lauren Conrad’s glam guru Kristin Ess, looks totally chic, especially when paired with glossy burgundy lips.
It’s so refreshing to see the Pretty Little Liars star (and country crooner) evolving her personal style. Her fresh long bob, courtesy of Lauren Conrad’s glam guru Kristin Ess, looks totally chic, especially when paired with glossy burgundy lips.
Zendaya
The young Zendaya may have dodged a bullet by not playing Aaliyah in that panned Lifetime movie, but that doesn’t mean she can’t bring all the '90s hip-hop realness to the red carpet. (Those lips! Those brows!) Bonus points for rocking a head of massively curly hair — we can’t wait to see what she does next.
The young Zendaya may have dodged a bullet by not playing Aaliyah in that panned Lifetime movie, but that doesn’t mean she can’t bring all the '90s hip-hop realness to the red carpet. (Those lips! Those brows!) Bonus points for rocking a head of massively curly hair — we can’t wait to see what she does next.
Kendall Jenner
Makeup pro Rob Scheppy told us that Kendall loves a fresh-faced beauty look, so he gave her a light veil of foundation and pretty pink lips, but also talked her into sporting a dramatic (for her, at least) smoky eye. When paired with simple, center-parted straight hair, it strikes the perfect balance between glamorous and effortless.
Makeup pro Rob Scheppy told us that Kendall loves a fresh-faced beauty look, so he gave her a light veil of foundation and pretty pink lips, but also talked her into sporting a dramatic (for her, at least) smoky eye. When paired with simple, center-parted straight hair, it strikes the perfect balance between glamorous and effortless.
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Kylie Jenner
We got the full lowdown on Kylie’s dramatic look from last night, right here.
We got the full lowdown on Kylie’s dramatic look from last night, right here.
Nicki Minaj
The bob is back, and it’s better than ever. Nicki’s newfound penchant for minimalist beauty continues.
The bob is back, and it’s better than ever. Nicki’s newfound penchant for minimalist beauty continues.
Lorde
In a sea of perfect contouring, false eyelashes, and smoky eyes, Lorde took the stage for a performance of "Yellow Flicker Beat" and...smeared lipstick all over her face. And, that's why hers was the key beauty look of the evening: It's a big middle finger to red-carpet perfection, and we can ALL get on board with that.
In a sea of perfect contouring, false eyelashes, and smoky eyes, Lorde took the stage for a performance of "Yellow Flicker Beat" and...smeared lipstick all over her face. And, that's why hers was the key beauty look of the evening: It's a big middle finger to red-carpet perfection, and we can ALL get on board with that.
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