In the days of old, there posed a certain untouchable quality to celebrity make-up. Exquisite beauty looks were reserved for the red carpet, and were pored over by cosmetics connoisseurs through paparazzi photos. Readers remained in the dark with regard to the inspiration or techniques behind each artfully-painted visage, and resorted to emulating them through their own prowess. Then arrived the age of social media.
The advent of Instagram has given our favourite personalities the power to control their own narrative, where they’re able to post up close-up photos and instructional-videos of their made-up miens. It is clear to see that once established barriers-to-entry have been cast aside, allowing for even beauty novices to pick up the intricate skills required to craft a celebrity make-up look. Make-up artists of today have gained a respectable amount of clout as well, whereupon several have amassed cult-followings thanks to their detailed tutorials coaching audiences on how to achieve a specific trend or makeup style.
And so, the sole question that remains is this: What are the best celebrity make-up looks you should know? Vogue aims to help you answer that question with a monthly curation of stellar beauty Instagrams; a series of photos hand-picked to help ease you out of a beauty rut as helpfully provided by our favourite faces from Hollywood, the K-Pop sphere, and more.
In the month of February, graphic eyeliner and vivid eyeshadow were spotted on the streets—and at the front row—of Fashion Week; a striking complement to the fantastical frocks and threads donned. Not forgetting, of course, the slew of party-ready looks spotted on the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Barbie Ferreira. Feast your eyes on the assortment, below.
1 / 12
Olivia Rodrigo
Exuding high-octane glamour is made easy when you opt for eyeshadow in both a metallic and high-shine finish. Olivia Rodrigo shows us how it’s done with this look for the Brit Awards.
2 / 12
Hunter Schafer
An earthy, cocoa brown hue tamps down the intensity of abstract eyeliner. Hunter Schafer’s bold configuration is enough to turn heads without appearing OTT.
3 / 12
Barbie Ferreira
Channel style icons from the early aughts by opting for moody-coloured eye make-up paired with a glossy brown lip. We’re getting Winona Ryder vibes from what Barbie Ferreira is putting out.
4 / 12
Zoë Kravitz
Those with shorter strands are sure to enjoy this playful take on the classic braid. Do as Zoë Kravitz and integrate a microscopic variant into your look to add a flirty touch to otherwise sleek, subtle make-up.
5 / 12
Taeyeon
It seems the front-strand braid trend has made it to Korea, too. Taeyeon’s rendition is paired with soft, pink tones that grants a hint of edge to an otherwise girlish look.
6 / 12
Chiara Ferragni
There’s no missing the vivid strokes of colour on Chiara Ferragni’s lids. We say lean into this effervescent look by pairing it with equally bright lipstick.
7 / 12
Sabrina Carpenter
You know what they say: diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But instead of restricting it to your accessories, we say let your mien get in on this treatment as well. Sabrina Carpenter keeps hers focused on the inner corners so as not to detract attention from the rest of her make-up look.
8 / 12
Joy from Red Velvet
2022’s take on the MLBB trend comprises a more rose-toned slant that proves flattering on a variety of skin tones. Joy ensures her pout takes centrestage by going for champagne-coloured shimmery lids that have just a touch of sparkle to them.
Joy used the Athé Airy Lip Balm in 05 Enjoy.
9 / 12
FKA Twigs
A single rhinestone applied at the inner corners of peepers might bely the age of Euphoria and maximalist make-up, but who’s to say that it doesn’t give as much of an impact? FKA Twigs gets that you don’t need a whole horde of face jewels to make an eyeshadow look pop.
10 / 12
Megan Thee Stallion
Up the fun factor on kohl-rimmed lids by attempting it in a navy blue hue instead. Megan Thee Stallion pairs hers with a sweep of icy silver eyeshadow that lights up her entire mien.
11 / 12
Chaeyoung from Twice
Eyeliner novices, take a leaf from Chaeyoung’s book and attempt a kitten flick with matte-black eyeshadow instead. It achieves a similar effect all while reducing the need for precision.
12 / 12
Hailey Bieber
Make a statement by juxtaposing vampy lips and talons with eyeshadow in a vibrant hue. Hailey Bieber makes a case for an electrifying powder blue.
