Music's brightest stars gathered in the Big Apple earlier this week for MTV's annual Video Music Awards. With extravagant performances from Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, and Lady Gaga, big wins for Ariana Grande and Rosé, and shocking snubs for stars that we will not mention to preserve the peace, it was the place to be at and be seen.
While the celebs showed up in their sheerest, shortest, most glamorous ensembles to ever hit the red carpet, we had our eyes peeled from the neck up for their beauty looks—and we are giving away our own Moonman to a select few. From signature high ponytails and kohl liner to glistening décolletages and 'edible' lipstick, here are the best beauty looks from this year's VMAS, plus how to recreate them yourself.
Related article: A Girl's Best Friend: 5 Of Sabrina Carpenter's Best Beauty Looks
Ariana Grande
All eyes were on Ariana Grande as the starlet took home the awards for Best Video, Pop Video, and Long Form Video for Brighter Days Ahead. Giving her Glinda persona a 50's twist, the singer was petal pretty with pale pink monochromatic eyes and lips, a bright matte visage, and a high ponytail.
To recreate her bouncy pony, create a side part and, with gel and a boar bristle brush, slick everything back and secure it with an elastic. Make it a Grande by adding a decorative ribbon.
The Gelly Type Strong Hold Gel, $44.50, FENTY BEAUTY at Selfridges.
Related article: From Olivia Rodrigo To Twice, Here Are The Best Beauty Looks From Lollapalooza 2025
Rosé
Rosé made VMAS history this year as the first K-pop artist to take home the Moonman for Song of the Year. Looking radiant in butter yellow, she opted for a no-makeup make-up look with luminous skin, a hint of blush, small wings on the eyes, and a gradient lip paired with soft waves.
For her complexion, start with a hydrating primer that'll nourish the skin. Pick a long-lasting, medium-to-high coverage foundation and concealer, blending both into the skin with a dense foundation brush. Finish it off with setting powder along the T-zone and blush on the top of the cheeks towards the under eyes.
All Hour Glow Foundation, $100, YSL BEAUTY.
Related article: The Best Beauty Looks From Every Era Of ELLE
Tate McRae
Tate McRae stepped on everyone's necks—figuratively—onstage during her performance and on the red carpet. The Canadian singer and winner for Song of the Summer showed up with glistening skin all over, bronzed lids, sun-kissed cheeks, nude lips, and feather extensions in her hair.
To achieve Tate's glow, pick a bronzing body oil that adds shine while nourishing your skin. With a body buffing brush, apply the product evenly along your décolletage and exposed skin.
Major Glow Body Oil, around S$87, PATRICK TA.
Tyla
Our favourite island gyal Tyla strutted into the VMAS with a glowy base, fluttery lashes, brown-nude lips, and a straight bob accented with cornrows near her side parting—and left with the Moonman for Best Afrobeats Video.
For the ultimate brown-nude lip like Tyla's, prep with a lip mask for soft, supple lips. From there, line the lips for definition and apply a lip gloss in a matching hue.
Glossy Lip Kit in Dolce K, $55, KYLIE COSMETICS.
Katseye's Lara
Genes are passed down from parent to offspring. In this case, we are passing around the love for Katseye, who took home the award for Push Performance of the Year. While we adore all six members, Lara Raj caught our attention with her full make-up beat, smouldering eyes, brown lip, and bombshell curls.
To recreate Lara's eye look, start with a taupe hue all over the lids. With a black kohl pencil, line the entire upper and lower lash line, extending it outwards into a wing. Smoke it out with dark brown and black eyeshadows on the outer corner and lower lashline.
Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliner, $48, CHARLOTTE TILBURY.
Doja Cat
If jealousy were a disease, then we are 100% the "Jealous Type" when it comes to Doja Cat. The singer rocked an 80's inspired beauty look, complete with volume-raising curls, thin brows, a brown cut-crease, a matte complexion with sculpted cheeks, and crimson red lipstick that she took a bite of on the red carpet—the chart topper was alright after as it was crafted from chocolate.
For her high-impact lip, start by lining your lips with a cherry red lip pencil. Follow up with a matching silky matte rouge (Doja uses M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in the shade Lady Danger).
M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger, $42, MAC COSMETICS.