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Home · Beauty

The Red Carpet Beauty Looks That Truly Slayed In 2016

The red carpet is not for the faint of heart! When our favorite celebrities show up, we expect them to slay! And although their fashion choices often gets the most recognition, there is an equally important part of the red carpet game that is often overlooked: hair, skin, and make-up. Glam squads get geared up when their subjects hit that red carpet, in hopes of executing looks that can be photographed beautifully, and talked about for days. Click through to find the out which 20 celebrities slayed in 2016 and which ones to keep your beauty eye on in the New Year.

 

By Alexis Webb · December 16, 2016October 26, 2020
01
Lupita Nyong’o’s Shimmer Lid & Stacked Natural ‘Do, MET Gala

What says high fashion more than a stacked, natural, high ‘do and shimmering lid? Lupita’s flawless execution of this one-of-a-kind look is definitely on our list. 

George Pimentel
02
Andra Day’s Structured Curls, Lashes & Vampy Lip, Academy Awards

Crooner Andra Day opted for a standout look when she hit the Oscars red carpet with structured curls, larger than life lashes and a deep vampy lip.

George Pimentel
03
Serayah’s Bun and Red Lip, Paley Fest

Empire star Serayah’s young, fresh skin is a great canvas for practically any makeup look, but the 21-year-old opted for a classic bun, natural-soft eye make-up and a bold red lip when attending Paley Fest red this year. 

Amanda Edwards
04
Jourdan Dunn’s Metallic Glow, Tony Awards

A rose gold metallic glow, pink nude lip and soft spiraling curls made Jourdan Dunn’s 2016 visit to the Tony Awards one to remember. 

Bruce Glikas
05
Naomi Campbell’s Glitter Lips, MTV Video Music Awards

If you need a little bling in your beauty routine, take a page from Naomi Campbell’s red glitter lips. The supermodel achieved the trending lip look using Pat McGrath’s glitter lip kit. 

C Flanigan
06
Joan Smalls’ Sunset Eyes, MTV Video Music Awards

Joan Smalls’ sultry “sunset eyes” used rustic, earthy tones to bring out her almond eye shape and color.

Jared Siskin
07
Kerry Washington’s Curls, Emmy Awards
Kerry Washington gave curls for the girls at the 2016 Emmy Awards. Washington complimented her pregnancy glow with bold brows, a cat eye and nude lipstick.
Alberto E. Rodriguez
08
Laverne Cox’s Oxblood Lip & Updo, Golden Globes

Laverne Cox stunned in a dark oxblood lip, light natural makeup and elegant updo.

George Pimentel
09
Viola Davis’ Monochromatic Plum, SAG Awards

Viola Davis pulled out her best plums and purples to achieve this monochromatic eye, lip and cheek look to compliment the melanin in her skin. Nice! 

Dan MacMedan
10
Nicki Minaj’s Cateye & Highlight, MTV Video Music Awards

Nicki Minaj is known for rocking a mean cat eye, but she definitely knocked her look out of the park when she paired it with amazing highlighting and a soft lip. Perfect! 

Anthony Harvey
11
Ciara’s Metallic Fingerwaves & Sultry Eye, MET Gala

Ciara had no problems revving it up for this year’s Met Gala. The expecting mother stole glimpses with her metallic-silver finger waves and smoldering eye makeup. 

George Pimentel
12
Jasmine Tooke’ Glitter Smokey Eye, CDFA Fashion Show Awards

What could be better than a smokey eye? One paired with glitter, that’s what! Victoria’s Secret Angel Jasmine Tookes turned heads with her dramatic, but fun eye look on the red carpet. 

Dimitrios Kambouris
13
Lupita Nyong’o’s Blue Cateye, BMI London Film Festival

Lupita Nyong’o reminded us that color is always best when she wore a bold, blue cat eye to the London Film Festival.

Karwai Tang
14
Janelle Monae’s Red Metallic Liner, American Music Awards

Janelle gave the AMAs modern Dorothy Dandridge realness with full (but defined) brows, a soft lip and metallic red eyeliner for a pop of color. 

Steve Granitz
15
Zendaya’s Bowl Cut & Smokey Eye, MET Gala
A bowl cut isn’t easy to pull off, but Zendaya managed to pull it off epically, along with a bronze smokey eye.
Larry Busacca
16
Taraji P. Henson’s Matte Violet Lip, American Music Awards

Taraji played no games at this year’s American Music Awards with a violet matte lip and whispy eyelashes. 

Jeffrey Mayer
17
Zoe Saldana’s Smokey Eye, American Music Awards

Zoe Saldana has great eye shape, so it’s no surprise that she could pull off this smokey look. The Avatar actress paired it with a nude lip, so the eyes are the focus. 

Michael Kovac/AMA2016
18
Kerry Washington’s Healthy Nude Glow, Academy Awards

Washington knows how to bring a little bit of sunshine to the red carpet, as she did at the Oscars where her healthy, glowing complexion stole the show. 

Jeffrey Mayer
19
Tinashe’s Natural Makeup & Pineapple Pony, American Music Awards

Nothing looks better on a curly girl than when her locks are up in a flattering pineapple. Tinashe kept her look all natural with light eyeshadow and a nude glossy lip. 

Steve Granitz
20
Serayah’s Oxblood Lip & Bob, Grammy Awards
Serayah also shows off her glam squad’s versatility with this beautifully executed blunt bob and deep oxblood lip color.
Jeff Vespa

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