Bleached brows to feather lashes: Best 2026 VMAs beauty looks

While the floor-length gowns and daring cutouts commanded the red carpet, the real drama at the 2026 VMAs on Sunday, September 27, happened from the neck up.

Stars pushed creative boundaries with everything from early-2000s nostalgia to theatrical high-fashion risks.

From Tyla’s signature Y2K braids and Teyana Taylor’s gothic smudged liner to Chlöe Bailey’s bleached brows, here are the standout beauty and make-up moments that defined the night.

Here are some of the best makeup and beauty looks of the night:

Olandria Carthen

Olandria has been serving non-stop for the past week, from Milan Fashion Week to the VMAs.

For the awards show, Carthen opted for a pink-toned smoky eye and, of course, blush because would it really be an "Olandria Carthen” make-up look without blush?

For her hair, she styled it in soft mermaid waves.

Tyla

Our pop star loves an early-2000s-inspired make-up look, and she never gets it wrong. This time around, Tyla opted for a smoky under-eye, neutral eyeshadow and glossy pink lips.

Of course, she had to include a braid or two, or more, in her hairstyle because what would a Tyla beauty look be without them?

The multi-award-winning singer styled the front of her hair in sleek cornrows, while the back featured a half sew-in style.

Teyana Taylor

The multi-award-winning actress and singer never disappoints when it comes to both fashion and beauty.

This time around, she went for a gothic-inspired makeup look, opting for a smudgy black smokey eye paired with a nude lip. She styled her hair in two braided buns, adding an edgy finish to the overall look.

Chlöe Bailey

The singer went for a bleached-brow look and we love it! She paired the bold brow choice with winged eyeliner and nude lips.

For her hair, Bailey opted for an updo featuring curls at the front, giving the hairstyle a little twist.

PinkPantheress

While everyone else was leaning towards full-glam or edgy makeup, PinkPantheress chose the natural route.

The singer kept things simple with no eyeshadow, a touch of blush and nude matte lips. She styled her hair in simple pigtails, keeping the entire beauty look soft and effortless.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift swapped her signature red lip for a softer dusty-rose shade and added silver shimmer to the inner corners of her eyes, finished with black eyeliner.

Swift paired the beauty look with her signature blonde bob, keeping things classic while giving her usual glam a subtle update.

MEEK

The British pop singer turned heads with white feather lashes along her bottom lash line, paired with matching white eyeshadow.

She styled her hair in a modern, structured take on a vintage Hollywood wave, giving the classic hairstyle a contemporary feel.

Rei Ami

For her face beat, Rei Ami opted for a sparkly blue liner with bleached eyebrows and glossy nude lips. She styled her hair in a classic updo, allowing the statement eye makeup to take centre stage.

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