The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards were held at Los Angeles' Staples Center this past Sunday, February 13, 2011. As usual, our favorite musical artists and celebrities were in attendance sporting some of this season's hottest looks! From fierce and fabulous, to downright weird (ahem, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj - you know we all love it!) the makeup on the red carpet was an inspiration to beauty queens everywhere! Without further ado, here are 5 Grammy looks we LOVE, and what you need to get them!
The Look We Love: Big Lashes and Ultra-Glossy Nude Lips
The Inspiration: Kim Kardashian
Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com
What you'll need: A great mascara, neutral lip pencil and bronze-y gloss.
Expert Picks: Arabella Stuart Petal Soft Lips Set in Mocha and Arabella Stuart Perfect Lash Mascara in Black (BOTH ARE NOW 50% OFF THRU SUNDAY 2/20/11!)
Expert Tip: For a perfect nude mouth a la Kim Kardashian, prep lips with your foundation first to neutralize your natural lip color. Unless you are very young or have a killer tan, I recommend following with a neutral pencil and bronze (not completely nude) gloss which won't rob your face of warmth like an ultra-light shade. The foundation and bronze gloss will blend together to create the ultimate, perfect-for-you nude lip!
The Look We Love: Mauve Blush and Berry Lips
The Inspiration: RihannaPhoto Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com
What you'll need: A rich berry lipstick and soft mauve blush.
Expert Picks: Sistina Lipcolor Perfetta in Roseto Plum and Jean-Michelle Couleur Classique Powder Blush in Mon Cheri.
Expert Tip: For a youthful flush like Rihanna's, be sure to apply blush to the apples (not the contours - this can look dated) of your cheeks, and blend up towards your temples. Maximize the impact and staying power of your lipstick by applying straight from the tube, blotting with a tissue, and then reapplying.
Don't like powder blush? Make your lipstick do double-duty by using your ring fingers to blend the color onto the apples of your cheeks. Leave as-is for a dewy finish, or follow with a powder blush to mattify the skin.
The Look We Love: Killer Cat Eyes
The Inspiration: Miley Cyrus
Photo Courtesy of Hollywoodlife.com
What you'll need: A black powder eye liner and a rich bronze shadow. (Plus mascara... of course!)
Expert Pick: Too Faced Smoky Eye Shadow Collection
Expert Tip: To get Miley's winged-out cat eyes, be sure to extend the black powder liner past the outer corners of eyes, extending out towards temples. Follow with bronze shadow applied generously to the lid only, from lash line to crease. For extra oomph, use a black eye liner pencil on the inner rims of eyes - top and bottom. Don't forget to curl lashes and add two coats of mascara!
The Look We Love: Pink Lips and Dewy Cheeks
The Inspiration: Selena Gomez
Photo Courtesy of Showstalker.net
What you'll need: A sheer, plummy-pink gloss.
Expert Pick: Arabella Stuart Lip Polish in Plum Glaze (NOW 50% OFF THRU SUNDAY 2/20/11!)
Expert Tip: Get Selena's dewy glow by letting your gloss double as blush. Lip glosses give skin the sheer color and soft shine of a natural flush. Apply to the apples of cheeks for a radiant glow.
Bonus? No need to worry about coordinating your lips and cheeks!
Bonus? No need to worry about coordinating your lips and cheeks!
The Inspiration: Katy Perry
Photo Courtesy of Makeupforlife.net
What you'll need: A palette of highly pigmented, shimmering pastels and opaque pink lipstick.
Expert Pick: Too Faced Liquif-Eye Set and Arabella Stuart Polished Lipcolor in Damask Rose (NOW 50% OFF THRU SUNDAY 2/20/11!)
Expert Tip: Use contrasting colors for top lid and lower lash line for eyes that really POP like Katy's. For ultimate drama, blend color into the crease of your eye and slightly up onto your brow bone. For a more wearable application, confine bright colors to upper and lower lash line. Anchor the look with clean, simple black eye liner applied only to upper lash line and black mascara.
Get inspired by your favorite stars and musical artists this spring to get a look YOU'LL love! Pick your favorite or try 'em all. Feel free to experiment with fun and exciting new looks as much as your heart desires... with a little help from your friends at Cosmetique!