Been wondering about Chappell Roan's VMAs makeup? So have we

We're here to formally introduce you to the 'Best New Artist' of 2024. And while Chappell Roan technically isn't new on the scene, she's been making major waves in the last few months. TBH the rise seemingly came out of nowhere, but that doesn't mean we're not well on the angsty bandwagon. 

In fact, her iconic makeup looks had us completely sold. And when we saw her taking to the VMAs red carpet in that medieval look, we just knew her performance glam was going to be something special. And we were right. So, we eagerly waited for makeup artist (emphasis on the artist) Andrew Dahling to give us an up close hint of the look. But we were given a step better, we were given a full makeup breakdown.

So, let's see what products were used to create Chappell Roan's VMAs performance glam look. But stick with us, because there were a lot of products involved...

Chappell Roan VMAs Performance Makeup

Surreal Skin

Alright, so we have good news and bad news. The good news is that 99 per cent of the makeup look is available to shop in Australia. The bad news is that, Roan’s classic white base, not so much. But that’s okay,  because any thick white paint-like base will be able to get you there. 

And while we don’t know exactly the steps taken to get her skin looking so shimmering and perfect, we’ve got a good guess. And man, does it involve a lot of time. 

We'd guess Dahling would’ve started off the look with the white paint stick (unavailable in Australia), creating that even tone across her skin. Next, to ensure that the look still felt life-like, we'd bet he would’ve gone in with the M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid 24hr Matte Foundation + Oil Control ($72 at M.A.C), and of course edited any imperfections (that we definitely didn’t see) with the M.A.C Studio Radiance 24hr Luminous Lift Concealer ($55 at M.A.C). 

To make sure the foundation stayed totally in place, Dahling set the flawless, illuminated base with not one, but two powders: M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation  ($68 at M.A.C) for a final touch of colour and then M.A.C Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder In Translucent ($61 at M.A.C). Because with all the pyrotechnics going on, Roan needed to have her base locked in place.

And because Roan's lit-from-within glow is clear as well as her cheekbone-popping blush, we just had to get the glossy, glass skin scoop. And it came down to these four products. Her glimmering skin was thanks to M.A.C Extra Dimension SkinFinish in ‘Show Gold’ ($73 at M.A.C) while M.A.C Mineralize Skin Finish Blush in ‘Naturally Flawless’ ($56 at M.A.C) and M.A.C Glow Play Cushiony Blush in  ‘Groovy’ and ‘Plush Pepper’ ($56 at M.A.C) helped to create the cheekbone sculpting shades. 

Artistry Eyes

To be completely honest with you, we've never seen an eye look that utilises quite so many shades. And while we can usually take a guess at the process, we're flying a little bit blind. All we know is that we're desperate to get our hands on it all to give it a go. It's an acceptable office eye look, right? 

The only downside, like we said before, is the paint sticks, which we're fairly certain Dahling would've used to create the longwearing base colours to this unbelievable look. 

Are you ready for the literal long list of eyeshadows that were used for this look?  Alright, so, we've got classic powder shadows from not one, not two but three incredible M.A.C Connect In Color Eyeshadow Palettes in ‘Future Flame and Hi Fi Color’ ($112 at M.A.C) and in ‘Embedded Burgundy’ ($86 at M.A.C). Then we've got M.A.C Dazzle Shadow Liquid in ‘Diamond Crumbles’ ($47 at M.A.C) a classic shimmery tone. And then four, yep, four dazzling creamy shadows, using M.A.C Dazzle Shadow Extreme in shade ‘Emerald Cut, Ob Jet D’ Art and Couture Copper’ ($42 at M.A.C). Although the fourth shade, 'Oh So Glitty' isn't available in Australia. Damn! And then finally, Dahling used a good dose of the M.A.C Pigment in ‘Gold’  ($47 at M.A.C) to really give the look that shimmering sheen.

And once the stunning work of art (AKA Roan's eye shadow look) was complete, Dahling used the M.A.C Pro Longwear Fluid Line in ‘Black Track’ ($41 at M.A.C) to create the dramatic thick liner around her eyes, coating her lashes with the M.A.Cstack Mascara ($57 at M.A.C) and of course, finishing her eyes off with some major falsies. FYI, M.A.C Lash in ‘Heart Breaker Lash’ ($32 at M.A.C) were the lash of choice. 

And because we can't forget about your eyebrows, which had been blocked over and redrawn higher (hello iconic drag technique) in a pencil thin shape. The fresh new arches used two shades of the M.A.C Pro Brow Definer in shade ‘Onyx and Stud’ ($48 at M.A.C).

Lasting Lips

TBH Roan's lips were probably the simplest thing about her makeup look, with just a trio of long-lasting products going into creating the soft purple-y tone. Starting off the look with the M.A.C Lip Pencil in 'Half Red' ($40 at Myer), Dahling then took a layer of matte colour across her lips, opting for the M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick in 'High Drama' ($45 at M.A.C). Then he finished off the look with a cult-classic fave, M.A.Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in 'Velvet Teddy' ($40 at M.A.C). 

And with the trio of powerhouse M.A.C lip products, Roan's lip colour stayed put throughout her performance. That alone deserves an award...

Yep, it's a lot. No wonder it looked so good. Guess we've finally met our match for perfectly recreating the look at home. But damn, we're going to try.

Main Image Credit: Getty

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