Last week was alive with red carpet magic, from the glamour of the Venice Film Festival to the energy of the MTV Video Music Awards. Yet, if there was one stage where beauty truly commanded attention, it was the VMAs. The night unfolded as a dazzling parade of creativity, bold choices, and unforgettable statements that quickly set the internet alight. From daring makeup to inventive hairstyles, the best beauty looks of the 2025 VMAs brought drama, personality, and no shortage of glamour.
What made this year’s beauty moments especially striking was the balance between experimentation and intimacy. These weren’t simply looks to admire—they were performances in themselves. With every sweep of winged liner, every slick of glossy lip, and every sculptural braid, stars turned beauty into a form of storytelling, proving once again that the VMAs remain the ultimate playground for self-expression.
The Looks
Makeup
For her birthday, Zendaya’s makeup artist crafted one of the most talked-about beauty statements of the week—a look that was equal parts daring and cinematic. She traded her signature bold brows for pencil-thin arches, a choice that instantly channeled the glamour of the 1920s and the edge of the 1990s. Her eyes smoldered beneath a wash of deep crimson shadow, diffused across the lids and inner corners for a vampy, hypnotic allure. Paired with a sleek chignon and a glossy burgundy lip, the transformation was gothic, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable.
Meanwhile, Doja Cat channeled classic Hollywood glamour and gave it a distinctly modern twist. Her razor-sharp winged eyeliner swept dramatically outward, framing eyes amplified by lush lashes and perfectly sculpted brows. A vibrant matte red lip sealed the look, bold yet timeless. The result struck a perfect balance: part old-school screen siren, part contemporary pop powerhouse.
Afrobeats star Ayra Starr lit up the 2025 VMAs stage with a beauty look that was as radiant as it was distinctive. Her eyes shimmered in rich copper shadow, seamlessly blended with warm blush that gave her skin a luminous glow. A soft, berry-toned gloss added a touch of sweetness to her lips. But the true showstopper was the gold-toned nose piece resting delicately along her bridge. The unexpected accessory transformed the look into something ethereal and struck that rare balance between edgy modernity and regal elegance.
Hairstyle
On the hair front, Justine Skye proved that short styles can be just as powerful as cascading waves. She stepped out in a voluminous, curly hairdo dyed a warm reddish-blonde and parted softly to the side. The tight curls added texture and bounce. The color, meanwhile, brought a glow against her skin. The result? Effortless, chic, and full of personality.
FKA Twigs, by contrast, turned hair into high art. Her braids formed an optical-illusion silhouette, complete with sculptural spikes that caught attention from every angle. In one of the night’s most talked-about details, she even wove “hair headphones” into the look, braiding them down to a faux jack. The effect was part futuristic fantasy, part performance art—and entirely, unmistakably, FKA Twigs.
Check out the best beauty looks seen at the 2025 VMAs and other events…
Ciara
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Zendaya
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Tyla
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Justine Skye
Get the eyes
Doja Cat
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Ayra Starr
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FKA Twigs
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Normani
Get the lips
Shenseea
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Issa Rae
Get the hair
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