Holy smokes! There were many reasons why Selena Gomez slayed on the AMAs red carpet — that cherry Prada gown, that perfect pony (keep reading, we’ll have deets on that later) — but the most striking part of the pop star’s look were her bright, sparkling eyes.
“Selena looked so happy and vibrant; I really wanted to keep the makeup more minimal and let that shine through,” says her makeup artist Hung Vanngo, who also works with Gisele Bündchen, Karlie Kloss, and Rosie Huntington-Whitely. Indeed, after taking time in rehab to focus on her mental health, the “Hands to Myself” singer gave an inspiring speech as she made her return to the spotlight at the AMAs, where she won the award for Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock on Sunday, November 20.
For the subtly sexy makeup, Vanngo gave Gomez’s complexion an airbrushed look with minimal foundation and concealer, and played up her big brown eyes with soft taupe smoky shadow. Now, this subtly smoldering eye is the easiest ever fallback plan for every holiday party. First, Vanngo sketched along top and bottom lash lines with Chanel’s Pomme de Pin eyeliner, then blended it into the crease for soft (and long-lasting!) definition. On lids and just above the crease, he layered shades from Chanel’s Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Gabrielle. You don’t need to follow any rules or steps — simply brush on shades as you wish to get your desired intensity and depth of color to recreate Gomez’s look at home.
Key products from left to right: Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin-Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup SPF 15, $48, chanel.com; Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Gabrielle, $61, chanel.com; Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Color in Pensive, $37, chanel.co.
And let’s not forget the fabulousness of Gomez’s simple yet sexy ‘do, because who doesn’t love a red carpet ponytail? Gomez’s stylist Nikki Lee fashioned a sleek, center-parted low ponytail, and posted a shot of the singer on Instagram captioned “Happy girls are the prettiest.” To get Gomez’s look, simply spritz hair with shine-enhancing hairspray, part in the center and gather a few inches above the nape, securing with a hairband. Tease the hair just under the band for a boost that takes a pony from an everyday to big-night-out-elegant look.
