Gaga over Gaga's glow! ©AFP / Robyn Beck
Not going to lie, we’re gargantuan Gaga fans. When we saw her gliding into view of our Oscars livestreaming window, looking for all the world like a Grecian goddess in her Versace mermaid gown, well, you should have heard our shrieks of approbation.
(Never mind that the diva was dead last to arrive on the red carpet; flawlessness of Gaga’s calibre takes time to perfect.)
Here’s the thing. After the surfeit of sombre autumnal lips on the recent runways, we were primed for yet more berry hues during awards season. Which was why Gaga’s subtly shimmering, stripped down look at this year's Academy Awards was so delightfully refreshing – not to mention a logical progression of her steadily evolving, increasingly “normal” aesthetic.
NARS Cosmetics NARSissist, $115
To get Gaga’s softly shadowed eyes, zero in on NARS Cosmetics’ new NARSissist eye palette, $115 (pictured above), a comprehensive 15-shade compendium of all of the cult beauty brand’s greatest hits.
Swirl all of the matte neutrals on the left side of the palette, then buff the bespoke hue into your crease for a really beautiful, multi-dimensional smoke.
Make like Gaga and layer a glimmering violet glaze on top for textural interest; use a separate soft-bristled brush to pick up NARS’ Ashes to Ashes (it’s included in the NARSissist palette!), a lovely lavender shade with soft specks of rose gold glitter, and sweep it all the way to the brow bone.
For the generously girthed, softly fringed lashes Gaga was sporting, tack on top and bottom falsies and finish with multiple coats of a cocoa mascara.
From left: Shiseido Face Color Enhancing Trio in Plum RS1, $53, and swatch detail of Lacquer Gloss in Debut BE102, $39
We’re seriously digging Gaga’s beautifully bronzed cheekbones; fake yours by sweeping on Shiseido’s Face Color Enhancing Trio in Plum RS1, $53.
The Japanese prestige brand’s carefully curated trio of sculpting pearlescent hues are designed to disappear into the planes of your face; of the four colour variations on offer, we like Plum for its rich rosy patina, which comes with just enough violet undertones to pick up the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it purples in our eye palette.
Finally, swipe a clear gloss onto perfectly primed puckers. Shiseido’s ridiculously lush Lacquer Gloss in Debut BE102, $39, is just perfection in a tube.
An everyday mauve-nude that’s a cinch to wear, this new hero product is a triple-layered marvel of technology, with the pigments encapsulated between a topcoat of glossy oils and a balm-like base that blurs out unsightly lines on your lips. So easy and so beautiful, yes? An award-winning look that’s well-deserving of “Applause”!
NARS Cosmetics NARSissist palette, $115, is available at all NARS counters. For more information, visit www.narscosmetics.com and follow NARS Cosmetics on Facebook and Twitter.
Shiseido Face Color Enhancing Trio, $53 each, and Lacquer Gloss, $39, is available at all Shiseido counters. For more information, visit www.shiseido.com.sg and follow Shiseido Singapore on Facebook.