Parked in the middle of award season, the Grammys offer a bit more risk and creative reprieve from the buttoned-up aura you'll find at the Globes and Oscars. Mirroring the wide range of bops, emotional ballads, and power anthems the award show aims to celebrate, artists historically express themselves in showy frocks, accessories, and extravagant hair and makeup that dare strike controversy (remember when Nicki Minaj dressed in a red hooded cloak with a Catholic bishop at her side?). Unlike being cast in a movie to carry out the director's vision, being a musician means creating your own character and showing vulnerability with your personal views and emotions, so while looks of Grammys past may not have always been our favorites, we applaud the artists for staying true to their form.
This year, artists have already made a statement before the red carpet was even rolled out through their actions: Ariana Grande has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with the show, calling out production for stifling her creative process and ultimately pulled out of performing. And Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar are addressing the award show's consistent lack of recognition of artists of color by not attending. Given that the Recording Academy added 900 members to their pool of voters to increase diversity, as well as having expanded the number of nominees for various categories, we're hoping for more inclusive results this year (and each year thereafter). One thing we can count on for sure is that the guests are going to bring their look A-game, full-stop, and, per usual, we're sharing our favorites below.
Camila Cabello
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Makeup artist Allan Avendaño used the magic of L’Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara to give Cabello extra fluffy lashes.
Maren Morris
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Morris' voluminous, loose ponytail is the perfect counterpart to her sequin and neon gown.
Tori Kelly
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Newly-minted Grammy winner Tori Kelly opted for her signature full, natural curls, staying true to her roots (literally) for such a monumental night.
Kacey Musgraves
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Also already the proud owner of a few Gramophones this evening, Musgraves wore her favorite style: long, straight, and parted down the middle. Her makeup was left fresh and natural with a petal-pink lip to tie it all together.
Ashlee Simpson
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Simpson's slick, pulled-back style is paired with an equally striking smoky eye, the perfect complement to the rhinestone-feather jumpsuit of our dreams.
Meghan Trainor
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Newly-married Trainor is a vision in white, keeping her hair simple and partially slicked back for added drama.
Alicia Keys
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Continuing with her vow to no longer cover up, hostess with the most-ess Alicia Keys is a fresh-faced vision in sparing makeup: a light mixture of Burt's Bees Goodness Glows Full Coverage Liquid Makeup in Walnut and Deep Maple and Burt's Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil; some cream blush (Burt's Bees All Aglow Lip & Cheek Sticks in Peach Pond and Peony Pool; Burt's Bees Nourishing Mascara); and Burt's Bees Glossy Lipstick in Peony Dew and Nude Rain on the lips.
Dua Lipa
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Dua Lipa's beautifully pared-down, sleek, straight bob and nude makeup look don't compete with the shimmer and glamor of her silver, glitzed-out gown.
Miley Cyrus
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Cyrus is stunning in sultry mermaid waves and a retro side part, the perfect accent to her deep-V blazer.
Jada Pinkett Smith
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Here's what aging backwards looks like, folks. Smith proves you can never have too much shimmer, wearing a bit of glitz on her lids, lips, and dress.
Bebe Rexha
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Rexha publicly shared that designers turned down the opportunity to dress her for the Grammys because of her weight (she's a size 8, by the way), but the signer came out on top looking striking in a pretty red tulle gown and edgy pinned-back 'do.
Chloe X Halle
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Sisters Chloe and Halle are always double as fabulous in their signature locs as well as matching diffused charcoal eyes.
Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross can do no wrong in our eyes. Tonight, she let her freckles shine through and kept her lipstick neutral, adding a bit of drama with a pop of gold shimmer on her lids.
Lady Gaga
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Despite her flashy disco-ball gown, Gaga is quite understated at this year's Grammy awards compared with past shows. We love her shaggy waved-out style and subdued smoky eye thanks in part to Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer smudged on the outer corners of the eyes so "it looked like she put it on yesterday," according to makeup artist Sarah Tanno.
H.E.R
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First-time Grammy nominee H.E.R. accented her flowing, beautiful curls with a rhinestone-lined middle part.
Jennifer Lopez
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Lopez's wide-brim hat may be shrouding her hair and makeup, but we can still see that undeniable J.Lo glow shining through.
Dolly Parton
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This list wouldn't be complete without honoree Dolly Parton. The septuagenarian singing legend is as youthful as ever in a glossy magenta lip and curled updo.
Nina Dobrev
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Dobrev is transporting us back to varsity soccer practice with her sporty elastic double headband, though we can't say we used to wear one that was Dior or adorned with a crystal pin.
Katy Perry
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Perry is wearing one of the biggest trends of 2018 (and so far, also 2019): monochrome pink makeup.
Janelle Monae
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It's hard to land your eyes anywhere but Monae's eclectic gold safety-pin hat, but might we direct your attention to her enviable Lashify “B” Gossamer fluttery lashes?