Ah, the American Music Awards. It's one of the only nights of the year when you'll see Ciara, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga, and Lorde all purposefully gathered in the same room — a rare occasion when almost every genre of music is represented. Given the range of artists in attendance — and the fact that it's the last big red carpet event of the year — you can almost always expect to see hair and makeup looks as varied as the musical styles on hand, whether it's rock 'n' roll, country, pop, or something in between.
Plus, if last year is any indication, the AMAs are sure to be a big night for beauty. After all, that was when Gigi Hadid tricked us all with her faux bob haircut. (And now the supermodel is hosting the 2016 ceremony.) It's also when we saw countless celebs whip out surprising trends — like monochromatic makeup — that would go on to be huge for the remainder of the year.
The looks this time around may be the best we've seen yet. Ahead, we've rounded up our favourites of the night that will inspire you well into the new year.
Gigi Hadid
This year’s host rocked the slicked-back look all night, which put her bold, fuchsia lip and radiant skin on full display.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Tinashe
We can’t get enough of the singer’s soft curtain bangs and natural curls — which, swept away out of her face, look as effortless as her neutral lip and subtle brown eyeshadow.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Selena Gomez
After a monthlong hiatus to focus on her health, Gomez let her big return to the red carpet speak for itself. She kept her hair and makeup minimal, with a nude lip and slicked-back pony.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
Ciara
In case you can’t tell, Ciara is glowing — the newlywed recently announced her pregnancy. Her subtle smoky eye and forehead-grazing bangs look just as sweet as her baby bump.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Hailee Steinfeld
This multi-hyphenate star looks like a bona fide glamazon, and we can’t decide which look we love more: her highly saturated maroon lip, or old-school Hollywood waves. (How about both?)
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
Ariana Grande
We’re not surprised that Grande wore her signature ponytail — it’s infamous for a reason — but weaving in three cornrow braids added a nice element of surprise.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
Olivia Munn
We love Munn’s piecey fringe — almost as much as her monochromatic coral blush and lipstick.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/AMA2016/Getty Images.
Nina Dobrev
There was a theme connecting Dobrev’s head-to-toe look, and it was silver. She paired the metallic hue in her jacket to everything from her eyeshadow to those metallic cornrows.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
Julianne Hough
Hough paired her XL extensions with miles-long lashes and peachy lips.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Kat Graham
Graham’s flawless green smoky eye is giving us major mermaid vibes, but her personal inspo? The ‘70s, as the actress told E!. Groovy.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Taraji P. Henson
In perhaps the most surprising lipstick look of the night, Henson whipped out the most gorgeous shade of purple — and it looks killer.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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