Celebrity hair and makeup: 7 Beauty Panel members show you how to master their favourite red carpet looks

Date May 2, 2013

Raise your hand if your last haircut or makeup look was inspired by a celebrity. (We all have our hands raised, right?) While runways set the trends, when your favourite star is spotted wearing the newest fashion, makeup look or hairstyle, that’s likely the point when you want in on it as well. But who are the actresses, musicians and A-listers who inspire your beauty style? Are you devoted to duplicating all their looks—as we know, celebs are quite fond of changing their hair cut and colour at a moment’s notice!—or do you follow the general theme of their go-to beauty routine?

Who better to offer some insight than the Beauty Panel! Our team of expert beauty bloggers were eager to share their celebrity beauty inspiration and offer up easy-to-follow tips on how to duplicate popular red carpet looks. From Kristen Stewart’s signature smoky eye (and sassy smile!) to Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar-winning red carpet look, there’s plenty of A-list hair and makeup influence.

Challenge 9: Is there a celebrity that inspires how you do your hair and makeup? See the answers now! »

For Gerry Xun from The Bunnie Hole, Hillary Duff’s bronzed smoky eye is one of her favourite looks to duplicate. Black eyeliner helps make this look stand out and adds some bold definition to the eye. Dani Fuentes from Call It Beauty loves how Leighton Meester isn’t afraid to experiment with her makeup on the red carpet. She gives step-by-step directions for duplicating one of Meester’s more colourful looks, which includes hits of purple and gold, finished off with a bright red lip. And for Secrets From Your Girlfriends’s JJ Cowan, the most covetable aspect of a celebrity’s style is sometimes a feature you least expect. She explains how Camilla Belle’s bushy eyebrows prompted her mission to define and fill-in her own set. But that’s not all! Read on for even more celebrity hair and makeup inspiration.

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.

Gerry Xun
Vancouver | The Bunnie Hole

I’ve always been a smoky brown kind of gal and I’ve been told on a few occasions that I’ve got a bit of Hilary Duff in me so since she’s also a smoky eye lover, here’s my interpretation of her most frequently photographed look.

Starting with a satin finish base, even out your skin with a light layer of mousse foundation using concealer where needed (around the eyes, chin, nose). Next comes the eyes: Working with the heaviest feature first allows you to adjust everything else to suit later. Hilary tends to wear warmer tones when she’s brunette so take a metallic coppery brown shadow from the base of the lash line up two thirds to the brow and slightly beyond the edge of the eye shape. Diffuse the surrounding with a domed brush to soften then with add a deep rich brown near the lashes, blending into the copper and intensifying the eye. A flick of liquid liner goes on top. Rim both the top and bottom waterline with a soot-black pencil and then mascara your lashes like mad—or just pop on some falsies. Finish the eyes with a touch of copper along the lower lash line for a super metallic effect. Pair this look with a slightly lighter brow, a light peachy pink cheek and—most importantly as not to go too heavy—a neutral matte lip.

This Hillary Duff look has lots of pow, but is still more approachable than a black smoky eye and can be easily adjusted for day or night.

Products used: Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation, Benefit Blush in “Sugarbomb,” Marcelle BB Roll-on Concealer, Rimmel Glam-eyes HD Palette in “English Oak,” Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner in “Black,” Maybelline Master Drama Pencil Liner in “Midnight Master,” Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara, False Lashes, Daiso Eyebrow Pencil in “Dark Brown,” NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in “Stockholm”

Dani Fuentes
Vancouver | Call It Beauty

Try as I might, when I think of Leighton Meester, I can’t think of a particular trademark makeup look that she likes to wear; every time she walks the red carpet, she looks different. And that’s why I chose her as the celebrity that inspires the way I do my makeup—she’s not afraid to take risks! Take this look that I recreated, for example. Not only has she paired bold lips with bold eyes (something most people discourage), but she’s wearing purple eyeshadow, gold eyeliner and red lips! There aren’t many celebrities who could pull this look off on the red carpet (as opposed to a fashion shoot), but Leighton has enough confidence to work it.

Products used: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation, Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Palettes in “Circus” and “Sunset,” Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in “0L – Matte Black,” Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara, M.A.C Mineralize Blush in “Subtle Breeze,” Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in “Red Revival”

Tess Lopez
Toronto | Makeup By Tess

A celebrity I always look to for hair and make-up inspiration is Eva Longoria. Whenever I want a fresh ‘do, I tend to Google her name, save the photo on my phone and then show the hair dresser. One of my favourite hairstyles of hers is when she wears her hair down and curled: My hair is thick and layered and with the right tools and technique I’ve been able to recreate her look many times over. When I’m in a rush, I use both a hot roller set and a curling iron. A hot roller set is so quick and easy to use and the curling iron gives me more curl control. Here’s how I do it:

1. Side part your hair and separate the front section of your hair on both your left and right side. (We will be curling this section with a curling iron later on.)

2. Take a hot roller set and apply the rollers in different directions (some outwards away from the face and others downwards). Ensure that what you do on one side, you do on the other in order to keep the curls symmetrical.

3. For this look, I prefer loose curls so the jumbo and super jumbo sized rollers do the trick! Because my hair is medium in length, I tend to just use the jumbo rollers. The super jumbo rollers do not give me as much of a curl for this look.

4. Once the rollers have cooled off, take them out.

5. Take your curling iron (1” – 1.5”) and curl the two front sections you kept aside. Curl your hair away from your face as it opens up your face and neck giving it a more flattering look.

6. Once this is all done, get your favourite hairspray and spray away!

7. To loosen up the curls, gently and lightly pull some of the curls straight. I don’t run my fingers through my hair because I don’t want to create more volume — my hair is already pretty thick! And there you have it, Eva Longoria-inspired curls!

Not only does Eva’s hair styles inspire me, but her bronzed, natural makeup is also a look I like to emulate. Here’s a few quick makeup tips:

– Some people have told me that they are afraid their eyes would look tired with this look because of the brown tones. To brighten up, use an off-white pencil (more natural than white) and rim the inner lower lash line. Also, a few coats of mascara will really help open up the eyes.
– To deepen up a bronzy, natural eye look, take a black eye shadow and apply a bit of it on the outer corner of the eyes and gently blend up.
– If you are limited on products, take your matte bronzer and apply it to the hallows of your cheeks and then sweep it onto the crease of your eyes. This will help warm up those beautiful eyes.

Products used: Conair Xtreme Heat Jumbo and Super Jumbo Rollers, Palladium Ceramic by Jilbère de Paris, L’Oréal Paris Elnette Satin Hairspray, Stila Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer in “Medium,” Cover FX Matte Fx in “Medium,” M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish “Sunny by Nature,” Urban Decay eyeshadow in “Twice Baked,” Stila Smokey Eye Palette in “Black,” Nars Eyeshadow Duo in “Surabaya,” M.A.C Fluidline eyeliner in “Blacktrack,” Physicians Formula Eye Booster in “Ultra Black,” Annabelle Expandable Mascara, M.A.C Lipliner in “Dune,” L’Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick in “Golden Splendor”

Elaine Atkins
Toronto | Toronto Beauty Reviews

Jennifer Lawrence has been all over the news lately. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since I saw The Hunger Games but it’s her beautiful and classic red carpet look from the 2013 Oscars that I love the most.

I wish I were better at doing my hair and could master Jennifer’s Oscar hairstyle, but for an everyday look I just decided to do a typical updo where I pull and twist the hair away from my face and secure with bobby pins. As for the makeup, I loved how simple her Oscar-winning look was: a healthy, natural flush to her cheeks with grey eyeshadow to make her eyes pop and a pink gloss on her lips.

For my look I used a grey eyeshadow on my lids and carried it to my lower lashes with a light-handed touch. I then lined my eyes all across the top staying as close to my lash line as possible and lined the outer three-quarters of my lower lashes. Mascara finished off the eyes and I made sure to groom my brows. For the cheeks I contoured with a bit of bronzer and applied a cream shadow for that natural flush. On the lips I applied a pink lipstick then smudged it with my fingers so it looked more like my natural lips with a hint of colour.

If I were to actually be on the red carpet I would amp up the liner and eyeshadow and ask someone to apply false lashes on me (since I don’t know how to apply them myself!).

Products used: Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow, L’Oréal Infalliable Lacquer liner 24H in “Blackest Black,” Revolution Freedom Glow Beauty Balm in “Sunkissed,” Benefit They’re Real Mascara, Annabelle Biggy Bronzer in “Haute Gold,” Belvada Lipstick in “Soft Pink,” Tweezerman Eye Enhance Brow Definer Highlighter Duo

Christa Potter
Kawartha Lakes| Perilously Pale

I don’t really idolize any celebrities as far as fashion, beauty, or anything else for that matter, but when it comes to a red carpet look that catches my eye, it would have to be Kristen Stewart. What I love about Kristen is how adventurous her makeup looks are and that she is not afraid to experiment with colour. Smoky eyes infused with vibrant shades of colour is one of her signature styles that I am most fond of. I love the elongated shape her eyeshadow usually takes and the beauty of her porcelain skin. While I often find myself wanting to reach out and touch up her lip product—as it almost always seems to look worn off possibly from too much lip locking with Robert Pattinson—I still love the overall package. I tried to put on my best scowl for this Kristen Stewart-inspired look but I don’t quite have the knack for it that Kristen does!

Products used: Revlon Colorstay Foundation Normal/Dry in “110 Ivory,” Benefit FakeUp Concealer in “Light,” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Ethereal,” Lise Watier Blush-On Powder in “Rose Eclat,” Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics Wet & Dry Eye Shadow Quads in “7” and “12,” Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in “Midnight Brown,” Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Eye Pencil in “Black,” L’Oréal Telescopic Extensions Mascara in “Blackest Black,” Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in “Ash Blonde,” Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick in “Who Wore it Red-er”

Ellie Somfelean
Montreal | My Beauty Box

I have always had a soft spot for Scarlett Johansson. I find her beauty look quite natural and down to earth, yet she is always so polished and has an effortless sort of sex appeal.

This is a look I wear on a daily basis, which has a lot of elements inspired from Scarlett’s signatures look. I used a cat-eye liner to define eyes and get that flirty feline look, while keeping the rest of the shadow colours warm and soft. I applied a wash of peachy eyeshadow all over the lid and defined the crease with it and used a shimmery champagne colour on the brow bone and the inner corner.

Scarlett usually plays up her complexion and her lips and that’s exactly what I did. After using a light, natural looking foundation, I contoured with a matte bronzer to help emphasize my cheekbones. Next, I used a shimmery gold bronzer on the points of the face where sun naturally hits. The key is to use a very golden bronzer and be very light handed, I wanted to add a touch of bronze and keep it natural, especially since I am quite pale. On the cheeks I usually use a peachy-coral blush mixed with a glowy one (think M.A.C Mineralizing Skinfinish) and then I added a highlighter on top. This gives me those chiseled, glowing Scarlett Johansson cheeks.

To get a natural glossy wash of colour on my lips, I mixed a coral liptar with a pink lip butter. Scarlett always has juicy, glossy lips with just a hint of colour.

Products used: Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation, It Cosmetics Bye-Bye Under Eye Concealer and Brow Pencil, Lancôme Translucent Mineral Face Powder and Bronzer in “Camel,” Annabelle Perfect Bronzer, Estée Lauder Blush in “ Peach Nuance,” Bare Minerals the Shining Moment Luminizer, M.A.C Mineralizing Skinfinish in “Northern Lights,” Stila Eyeshadow, Inglot Eyeshadow in “AMC 08,” Marcelle Twist Push-Up Mascara, OCC Liptar in “Grandma,” Revlon LipButter in “Strawberry Shortcake”

JJ Cowan
Toronto | Secrets From Your Girlfriends

One of the defining moments in my beauty life was when I ventured into the territory of shading in my eyebrows. In that moment, I was forever liberated from the perils of my somewhat large but sparsely populated brows. Salvation arrived when I came across an image of newly minted It girl Camilla Belle and her beautiful but bushy brown brows. Suffering from immediate brow envy, I knew I needed my very own set and would do anything to make this a reality. So, I did what any slightly obsessive, beauty crazed girl would do: I marched down to the closest M.A.C counter—with photo in hand—and I alerted the lovely M.A.C artists of my pending brow mission. Armed with M.A.C eyeshadow in “Espresso,” one confidently calm M.A.C makeup artist undertook my challenge and swiftly moved over my brow line lightly filling in my splotchy patches and framing the outside of my brown line. And just like that I was completely and forever brow liberated, Camilla Belle-style.

The double hit in my quest for full and thick hair, like Camilla, rested in the prep of my black mane. Like my brows, I was not born with the luck of a natural thick lid but with the help of Matrix Essential Root Amplifier, I successfully created the illusion of thick and luscious hair, just like Belle’s. To top off my celebrity look, I called in the big guns and the help of Nars Satin Lip Pencil in “Luxembourg,” which adds some electric appeal of deep pink for the spring and summer months. Personally, this is one of my favourite lip colours for the upcoming season.

Products used: Matrix Essential Root Lifter in Amplify, M.A.C eyeshadow in “Espresso,” Quo Brow Liner Brush, Nars Satin Lip Pencil in “Luxembourg”