The red carpet is always one of the best times to catch some inspo for your next GNO, but few red carpets are bolder than the MTV VMA show. This year, we watched Taylor Swift rack up nine (nine!) awards, Shakira was bestowed the coveted the Video Vanguard Award, and Diddy won the Global Icon Award. Not forgetting of course, that the VMAs happen to have witnessed just some of pop culture’s most jaw-dropping moments over the years, like Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress, Beyoncé announcing her pregnancy with Blue Ivy, Britney Spears performing with a live python – the list goes on. But of course, the VMAs also have the stars pulling out all the stops – performance-wise, outfit-wise, and makeup-wise. Let’s check out some of the hottest beauty looks from the MTV VMA 2023 red carpet.

The Best Beauty Looks at the 2023 MTV VMAs

1. Karol G

With a racy look that looks straight out of the ocean, Karol G dazzles in a mermaid-esque lacy, see through number, complemented perfectly by her wet pink hair and ultra-dewy skin. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta created a flushed cheek look, with a peachy-pink blush all over, in addition to bold brows and a soft glam eye look.

2. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez brings the heat in a red a hot beaded dress, with stunning copper-toned bold eyeshadow and a nude lip. Nude lips and slicked back hair seem to be the trend of the season, with Selena leading the entourage of other celebrities who also rocked this look.

3. Olivia Rodrigo

Our brains go aahhhh when we look at Olivia Rodrigo’s stunning look at the VMAs. Winner of six awards, the singer-songwriter dazzled in a liquid silver look, paired with understated makeup to let the dress shine, literally. Eyeliner, lashes, and a nude gloss is all it takes to recreate this super wearable look.

4. Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion’s red carpet glam just goes to show that price isn’t everything – her entire makeup look was made with Revlon products. Celebrity makeup artist, Lauren Elise Child, created a smokey winged shadow, paired a dark glossy lip, and surprisingly, matte skin. Maybe this will be the return of the 2016 heavy, matte glam?

5. Doja Cat

The MTV VMA red carpet just wouldn’t be as iconic as it is without some outrageous looks, and Doja Cat certainly turned heads in her cobweb dress by Monse. Of course, she also wouldn’t be Doja Cat without an over-the-top makeup look. The thin brows, spidery lashes, and white eyeshadow make it look very reminiscent of 1920s in the most sensational way, not forgetting the crystals and body glitter.

6. Nicki Minaj

Is it Pink Friday yet? Nicki Minaj just proved that pink is the colour of the year, and that the pink print is here to stay. The rapper bestowed the red carpet and our feeds with a bridal-inspired number by Dolce & Gabbana, and makeup artist Ronald Watkins created a dazzling sparkly pink eyeshadow look that we’re definitely going to try to recreate.

7. Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato has been in her rock era lately, and we’ve been loving her grunge looks. Demi’s long-time collaborator Jill Powell created a dark smokey wing to pair with her signature bold brows, and just a touch of a nude satin-finish lip to complete the look.

8. Saweetie

Like we said, Barbiecore is here to stay, and Saweetie isn’t playing around with her beautiful baby soft pink glam, created by Kenya Alexis. The stunning pink eyeshadow all over the lids, gorgeous fluffy eyelashes, the perfect pink lip – it makes us almost forget about the giant pink bone.

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