29Show-stopping outfits at the MTV Video Music Awards can be wild, wacky or just plain weird. The 2017 VMAs at The Forum in Los Angeles served up plenty of questionable looks, but this year showcased solid beauty moments. Crystals lined eyes and feathers fluttered on ball gowns; these were looks to notice. Pretty marcel waves exploded into a stunningly voluminous ponytail, and the hair styling elicited gasps of admiration. Stars put head-spinning takes on old favorites. Katy Perry channeled edgy Basic Instincts, while N M evoked a Barbie never seen on store shelves. The warning from the red carpet might be: Copy this at home at your own risk.
Chart-topper Nicki Minaj captured most of the night’s attention with her in-your-face, Pepto-Bismol-pink, skin tight, spandex, cutout crop top-and-trouser combo. The 34-year-old rapper accessorized her ensemble with some sky-high pink, orange, and white heels and glittering jewels around her neck and wrists.
Minaj emphasized the Barbie look with half-blonde, half-pink long hair blown dry and flat-ironed by hairstylist Tokyo Stylez. “We wanted to make a statement with her stick straight long beautiful locks,” said Tokyo.
Host Katy Perry slicked back her platinum pixie with razor-like precision (was everybody getting the Sharon Stone Basic Instinct vibe from the ‘90s?) and accented geometric earrings with a deep violet cut-crease eye. Black-ish star Yara Shahidi consistently inspires with her red carpet looks and never more so than at the 2017 MTV VMAs. The front view of her hairstyle was super pretty—finger waves and deep side part—but move on to profile and the style created by celebrity hairstylist Nai’vasha Johnson popped into an explosion of super ponytail.
Former High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens, 28, played up her sheer-paneled Yanina Couture dress with eyes lined in red and accented with crimson Swarovski crystals. Make-up pro Allan Avendano created the makeup. Admirers can recreate the style affordably with crystals from a craft store.
Alessia Cara made her appearance on stage wearing red lipstick and black bobbed wig before launching into her song Scars to Your Beautiful. Her back-up dancers wiped off every trace of the Canadian singer-songwriter’s makeup as she sang in a move honoring her July 2016 promise to always perform the song in bare face.
A Monique Lhuillier-gowned Lorde recalled an Oscar de la Renta-clad Amy Adams at the 2013 Oscars awards ceremony, and Lorde completed the full princess look with a wispy half-up bob and pale pink gaze. Teyana Taylor mirrored Janet Jackson in an ab-baring ensemble.
Missing the mark: Teen Mom’s Farrah Abraham called to mind My Little Pony with glittery stars around her eyes and a super high, bright red ponytail. The MTV star showed up on the red carpet in a tight pair of white pants that she paired with an over-the-top pair of metallic gold boots.
Another Teen Mom fashion mistake was Caitlin Valtierra’s unflattering pink flared pants and a clashing floral shirt.
Paris Jackson showed off some nude underwear beneath a bizarre sheer dress, while singer and songwriter Sophie Beem looked ready for post-show bedtime in a pajama-esque rainbow ensemble.
Read More: MTV VMA 2017 Red Carpet Looks
Image via Instagram/peopletalkru
