No doubt about it—Olivia Rodrigo is a pop-rock star that proudly wears her influences on her sleeves, especially during the present Guts era. Don’t immediately assume she’s merely rehashing her ‘Good 4 U’ days, though. With her chipped black nails and messy straight hair, her current aesthetic fits right in the ’90s alternative rock scene.
If Sour is a glossier version of the bare-faced look of many a ’90s female rocker, Guts is her messier, glam-rock loving older sister. It’s fitting, considering the latter album signifies her newfound take-no-prisoners approach to songwriting. Now, Olivia Rodrigo sounds rawer and grungier on Guts and her beauty looks reflect this. Glossy nude pink lips make way for a bright, neutral red and her lids sport a generous layer of glitter and sequins.
To summarise, the Guts era is where Olivia Rodrigo comes into terms with her personal style. During her breakthrough with ‘Drivers Licence,’ in 2021, her glassy facade wouldn’t look out of place from the clean girl look popular during COVID-19’s infancy. Here, she goes full rock chick by retaining the previous era’s grungy minimalism, but adding additional embellishments for an edgier look, while remaining in familiar territory.
You’d be forgiven if you believe her approach is reminiscent of Gwen Stefani in her No Doubt days. Unsurprising, given the former’s similarly minimalist look and Olivia’s ’90s obsession. However, the one lesson she learns from Gwen’s style is the philosophy of less is more.
All in all, in spite of the explosive anger and newfound maturity informing the music and lyrics of Guts, Olivia doesn’t take herself too seriously. Rather than grow out of her aesthetic, she lets it grow with her.
Ahead of her first concerts in Singapore this October, Vogue Singapore curates Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts-era aesthetic for some pre-concert inspiration.
1 / 5
Glittery eyeshadow with sequins
Do you have the guts to not only rock intense sparkly eyeshadow, but also up the ante with sequins? If the answer is yes, then this look is for you. If glitter eyeshadow isn’t enough, you can go the extra mile with some loose glitter around your eye area. Complete the look with sequins specifically made for the face and seal them with lash glue.
2 / 5
Sheer red lips
Classic? Yes. Low maintenance? Absolutely. Don’t be concerned if your lipstick isn’t a hundred percent neat. Go for a bright red with a neutral undertone with a sheer or creamy finish for a subtle shine that won’t dry out lips and will retain its vibrancy after screaming ‘Get Him Back!’ from the top of your lungs.
3 / 5
Mini braids
It doesn’t get more ‘90s than a canvas of long hair housing a few strategically-placed mini braids in the music video for ‘Obsessed’. A standard braid pattern will suffice. You can place them in the front, like she does video for a subtle face-framing effect, or place one or two at the back in a haphazard fashion.
Bonus points if you’re pairing them with a short, hacked-up fringe. A major advantage of Olivia’s homestyle bangs? You get coverage without the tendrils blowing in other areas of your face or poking your eyes for a good couple of weeks.
4 / 5
Lilac eyeshadow
Feeling nostalgic for the frosty pastels of the late ‘90s and the early 2000s? Try this eyeshadow look for size. If Olivia isn’t bedazzling her eyelids with star-shaped sequins, she’s sporting her theme colour: lilac. Nonetheless, feel free to experiment with other shades of purple. The key to maximum impact lies in an eye primer so you won’t need to use more product than you realistically need and the shimmer withstands the humidity of the pit.
5 / 5
Black nail polish
Want a statement manicure but need a break from acrylics or stick-on nails? Simply cut your nails as you normally do, follow their natural shape and paint 1-2 coats of black nail polish. Extra reinforcements are optional, especially if they are temporary (don’t be afraid of chipping when dancing).
