How to Apply Makeup Like Lady Gaga

Signature Features of Lady Gaga’s Iconic Makeup

Lady Gaga is known for transformative and bold makeup styles that have become part of her artistic identity. Some of her most signature features include:

• Bold Red Lips: Gaga frequently rocks a strong red lip, which she considers timeless and empowering (Lady Gaga’s Inauguration Beauty 2021: All the Makeup Details | Vogue). From her Super Bowl halftime show to the presidential inauguration, a crimson pout has been a go-to look. Her makeup artist Sarah Tanno often chooses a classic true red to channel Old Hollywood glamour (Lady Gaga’s Inauguration Beauty 2021: All the Makeup Details | Vogue). This striking lip is usually well-defined and matte or slightly satin – a statement feature in many of Gaga’s looks.
• Dramatic Eyes (Winged & Smoky): Equally iconic are Gaga’s eye looks, ranging from sharp winged eyeliner to intense smoky eyes. A bold cat-eye (winged liner) paired with platinum blonde hair was seen in her Super Bowl performance (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF), creating a retro-glam vibe. She’s also pushed boundaries with “out-of-this-world” smoky eyes on stage (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Often, Gaga’s eyes are accentuated with exaggerated black liner, heavy mascara, or even feather-like false lashes (she once wore inch-long false lashes to the Met Gala) (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty). These dramatic eye looks make her eyes a focal point, especially for performances or red carpet events.
• Artistic Avant-Garde Makeup: Gaga isn’t afraid to treat her face as a canvas. She’s sported avant-garde looks like a David Bowie-inspired lightning bolt painted across her eye during her early “Just Dance” era ( Lady Gaga's Most Iconic 'The Fame' Era Music Video Looks | iHeart). In her “Applause” era, she famously appeared with her face smeared in colorful paint, Pierrot-style, as if it were an abstract painting (Lady Gaga in 'Applause' single face paint). She often incorporates unconventional elements: think face gems, crystals, and elaborate masks. For example, on the Joanne Tour she wore a rounded wing lined with Swarovski crystals for a dazzling stage effect (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). These artistic touches – whether graphic shapes, glitter, or theatrical facepaint – are key to Gaga’s most avant-garde looks.
• Glowing Skin and Contour: No matter how bold the artistic elements, Gaga usually sports a flawless base. Her complexion often looks luminous and sculpted. On the red carpet, she prefers natural, glowing skin with strategic contouring that isn’t overdone (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Gaga’s cheekbones are typically accentuated with contour or bronzer and topped with highlighter for extra drama under lights. Even in wild looks, there’s usually attention to creating a perfected canvas – “sculpted glow” as seen in her inauguration look (Lady Gaga’s Inauguration Beauty 2021: All the Makeup Details | Vogue) – to balance the intensity of her eyes or lips.
• Brows and Lashes as Statements: Over the years, Gaga has also played with her brows and lashes. She’s bleached her eyebrows for some looks to draw more attention to eye makeup, and other times sports strong, defined brows for framing. Lashes are often big – either through multiple coats of volumizing mascara or using extravagant falsies. During high-impact performances, her makeup team might even layer false eyelashes to ensure her eyes are expressive from the stage. This emphasis on eyes (through liner, lashes, and brow styling) is a hallmark of her style.

Each of these features can appear alone or in combination, but together they form the palette of Gaga’s most recognizable makeup moments. Whether she’s doing a classic glam or a boundary-pushing art look, you’ll usually spot at least one of these signature elements in her makeup.

Product Recommendations for Gaga-Inspired Looks

Recreating Lady Gaga’s looks requires high-performance products that deliver bold color and long wear. Below are high-quality makeup products – with both luxury and affordable options – to achieve her signature style. We’ve included essentials like foundation for that flawless base, as well as the intense eyeshadows, liners, lipsticks, and highlighters needed for Gaga-level glam.

• Foundation (Flawless Base): For Gaga’s smooth, luminous skin, choose a medium-full coverage foundation that provides a radiant finish and durability. A luxury choice is Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation, which beauty editors praise for its seamless, skin-like glow and buildable coverage (Haus Labs' Triclone Foundation Gave My Skin Completely Undetectable Coverage). It’s formulated with skincare ingredients for a dewy but not greasy finish, much like Gaga’s own luminous complexion. Alternative (Budget): L’Oréal True Match Lumi Foundation offers a comparable radiant finish at a lower price. It gives buildable coverage with a glow, mimicking that red-carpet “natural and glowing” skin look (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Another affordable option is Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth, which provides coverage and a subtle sheen to the skin. Always prep with a good primer to ensure the foundation lasts through long events or performances.
• Eyeshadow (Dramatic & Blendable): Gaga’s eye looks range from neutral to explosive. For smoky eyes or bold hues, a high-quality, pigmented palette is key. Luxury pick: Haus Labs “Love For Sale” Eyeshadow Palette – co-created by Gaga’s team – contains rich blacks, brights, and warm browns to cover both classic and avant-garde looks (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty) (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty). It has the intense color payoff needed for dramatic styles (even Gaga, who “doesn’t usually like applying eyeshadow,” found it easy to use for bold looks (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty)). Another luxe classic is the Urban Decay Naked Palette for versatile smoky neutrals. Alternative (Budget): NYX Ultimate Eyeshadow Palettes (for brights or smokys) deliver strong pigment without breaking the bank. A matte black and a range of neutrals from a drugstore brand like e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadows can also help achieve Gaga’s dark smoky eye or a simple contoured eye. For Gaga’s more colorful avant-garde moments (like the “Applause” paint or Bowie lightning bolt), consider Mehron or Snazaroo face paints (professional but affordable) to get those vibrant blues, yellows, and reds in a safe, opaque way.
• Eyeliner (Bold Wings & Waterline): A reliable black eyeliner is a must for Gaga’s winged lines and graphic shapes. Luxury pick: Haus Labs Optic Intensity Liquid Eyeliner (Onyx Black) provides an intense black line that was actually used on Gaga for the Oscars (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). It’s waterproof and eco-friendly – perfect for sharp wings that won’t budge. Makeup artist Sarah Tanno often layered liners for Gaga: first a gel pencil (like Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer) to sketch the shape, then a precision liquid liner to intensify and sharpen it (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). For the waterline, Gaga loves a white eyeliner to make eyes look bigger (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty), such as Haus Labs Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil in “Aura” (Matte White) or MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl. Alternative (Budget): NYX Epic Ink Liner (black) is an inexpensive dupe that gives a similar matte, deep black wing and is very long-lasting. For a white waterline pencil, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk or e.l.f. Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in white can brighten the eyes without splurging. These will help replicate Gaga’s dramatic cat-eyes and wide, doll-like eye effects (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed) (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed).
• Lipstick (Signature Reds & More): Gaga’s signature lip is a bold red, though she also wears neutrals and pinks depending on the look. Luxury picks: For her classic red, Gaga often uses products from her own line or Marc Jacobs. Haus Labs Le Monster Matte Lip Crayon in “1950” is the exact deep, warm-red shade she wore at the inauguration (Lady Gaga’s Inauguration Beauty 2021: All the Makeup Details | Vogue), delivering a true Hollywood red with a matte finish. Another famed choice is MAC Ruby Woo, a vivid blue-red matte known for its longevity and brightness (a shade very much in Gaga’s spirit of a “timeless” crimson pout (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF)). If a glossy red is desired (like the Super Bowl look which had a gloss topcoat), Marc Jacobs Enamored Gloss in “Hot Hot Hot” was used by her makeup artist to give shine over her red lipstick (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF). Alternative (Budget): Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in “Pioneer” (red) offers a long-lasting, smudge-resistant red for a fraction of the cost – great for performances since it won’t easily transfer. For a classic bullet lipstick, Revlon Super Lustrous in “Fire & Ice” is an affordable vintage-red that embodies that empowered Gaga vibe. If recreating a neutral or pink lip from some eras, look at NYX Suede Matte Lipstick in “Tea & Cookies” (for a soft pink) or Milani Color Statement in “Naturally Chic” (rosy nude). The key is high pigment and staying power so you can belt out songs (or just chat through an event) without the lip color fading.
• Highlighter & Blush (Sculpt and Glow): To capture Gaga’s illuminated skin and sculpted cheeks, you’ll need a good highlighter and blush/bronzer. Luxury picks: Haus Labs Bio-Radiant Gel-Powder Highlighter (e.g., shade “Rose Quartz” or the golden “Chocolate Opal” used on Gaga (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty)) gives a high-shine glow that still looks refined. It was part of her Oscar look, applied on the high points of her face for that radiant finish. For blush, Gaga and Tanno were literally “addicted to blush” at the 2023 Oscars, layering two vibrant shades (Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush in Dragon Fruit Daze and Watermelon Bliss) to get that bold cheek (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty) (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). A good bronzer like Haus Labs Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer can add gentle contour and warmth (she wore Medium Level 5 for a soft sculpt (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty)). Alternative (Budget): Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in “Blossom Glow” or “Golden Flower Crown” gives a blinding highlight similar to high-end brands for under $5. For blush and bronzer, try Milani Baked Blush in a bright shade like “Coralina” or “Dolce Pink” to mimic Gaga’s pop of color on cheeks, and Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer for a natural contour. These affordable picks are pigmented and blendable, helping achieve that “don’t be afraid of more is more” color payoff on the cheeks (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty) without the luxury price.
• Eyes Extras (Mascara, Lashes, Sparkle): To truly emulate Gaga, consider the extras. Mascara: A high-end favorite was Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara, which Tanno piles on Gaga for volume (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Budget-friendly, L’Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara creates a similar thick, dramatic lash effect. False Lashes: Gaga has worn extravagant lashes; a brand like Huda Beauty or Lilly Lashes (luxury) can give that intensity, while Ardell Wispies (affordable) layered up can also do the trick. Glitter & Gems: For avant-garde looks, look into Swarovski crystals or face gems to apply around the eyes (as she did with crystal-studded liner on tour (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE)). You can buy craft crystals or affordable face gem stickers (NYX and ELF make them) to replicate this. A good cosmetic adhesive (like Duo lash glue) will secure any gems or sequins to the face for those artistic Gaga moments. For glitter eyeshadow accents, Urban Decay Moondust (luxury) or NYX Face & Body Glitter (budget) patted on the lids will give that extra starry drama that Gaga often loves.

Each of these products has been chosen to mirror the quality Gaga uses. High-end picks often come straight from Gaga’s own makeup routines (as noted) or trusted pro products, while the affordable options let you get a similar effect without splurging. Mix and match as needed for the specific look you want to recreate – just ensure your kit includes a great base, bold pigments, and the right tools to apply them (good brushes, sponges, etc.). With these in hand, you’ll have the arsenal to start crafting your Gaga-inspired makeup.

Step-by-Step Application Guides for Signature Gaga Looks

Now, let’s break down how to apply makeup for a few of Lady Gaga’s different signature looks. Each look highlights different aspects of her style – from classic glam to avant-garde – with step-by-step techniques. Follow these instructions for blending, contouring, and special effects to capture the Gaga vibe.

Look 1: Classic Red Carpet Glam (Timeless Red Lip & Winged Liner)

This look channels Gaga’s more traditional Hollywood-inspired moments – think the bold red lip and clean winged eyeliner she sported at events like the Super Bowl halftime show and many award ceremonies. It’s glamorous yet relatively wearable.

1. Prep and Base: Start with well-prepped skin (clean, moisturized, and primed). Apply a medium coverage foundation and concealer as needed to achieve a flawless, luminous base. Gaga’s red-carpet skin is glowy but not oily (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE), so opt for a foundation with a slight dewy finish. Blend it out thoroughly (use a brush then a damp sponge to press it in for an airbrushed effect – a trick Tanno recommends for a skin-like finish (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty)). Set lightly with translucent powder, focusing on areas that tend to crease or get oily, but don’t totally mattify – you want skin to have a natural sheen.
2. Eyes – Winged Liner: The eyes on this look are defined but not overdone. Sweep a neutral beige or soft taupe eyeshadow in the crease to create subtle depth (nothing too smoky, just a light shadow). The star is the winged eyeliner. Gaga often does a classic black wing that lifts her eyes. To achieve this, a pro tip is to sketch the wing shape first with a pencil liner (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE) – look straight in the mirror and mark the endpoint of your wing, then connect it to your lash line, creating an outline. Once you’re satisfied that both eyes are even, go over it with a liquid eyeliner for that crisp, opaque line. Start thin at the inner corner and build thickness toward the outer wing. Gaga’s wings typically extend outward for a cat-eye effect, but not too exaggerated for her classic glam; aim for a flick that elongates your eye shape. Allow it to dry and clean up any edges with a bit of concealer on a brush if needed. Tightline the upper waterline with black to make the lash base look full. On the lower waterline, Gaga has a special trick: use a white or nude eyeliner to line the inner rim (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). She often does this on the red carpet to make her eyes appear larger and brighter (a technique Marilyn Monroe also used, which suits Gaga’s retro glam inspirations) (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed) (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed).
3. Lashes & Brows: Curl your lashes and apply a volumizing mascara generously to top and bottom lashes. Wiggle at the base and comb upward to avoid clumps. You can add a short strip lash or individual false lashes to the outer corners for extra flutter – Gaga’s lashes are often thick and flared. Keep brows groomed and defined but not too heavy; fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil or powder. In Gaga’s classic looks, her brows usually have a nice arch and frame the face without stealing focus from the liner and lips.
4. Bold Red Lips: The centerpiece is the red lip. For a long-lasting, rich red like Gaga’s, layering is key. First, ensure your lips are smooth and hydrated – Tanno prepped Gaga’s lips with balm as a first step (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF). Blot off excess balm, then trace your lip shape with a red lip liner (this prevents feathering and helps define Gaga’s trademark cupid’s bow sharply). Fill in the lips with the liner as a base layer. Next, apply a high-pigment red lipstick with a slight matte finish – Gaga’s Super Bowl red was Marc Jacobs “Dashing” lipstick (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF), but any true red that flatters your skin tone will work. Use a lip brush for precision if needed. After the first coat, blot with a tissue (Tanno actually blotted Gaga’s lips after the first layer to increase wear (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF)). Apply a second layer of the red lipstick to intensify the color. This layering and blotting technique ensures the color stains the lips and lasts longer through performances or events. If you want Gaga’s occasional high-shine finish, add a touch of red gloss to the center of the lips (as done in the Super Bowl look with Marc Jacobs “Hot Hot Hot” gloss (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF)) – this creates dimension and makes the lips look lush. However, for a classic matte Hollywood lip, you can skip the gloss. Finally, place a finger in your mouth and pull it out to catch any excess lipstick – it prevents getting lipstick on your teeth (never glamorous!).
5. Finishing Touches: Check the balance of the look. With bold lips and liner, Gaga keeps the rest pretty soft. If needed, add a touch of color to the cheeks – a subtle peachy or rose blush on the apples, blended back toward the temples, just to give life to the face without competing with the lip. Lightly contour under the cheekbones with bronzer for definition. Apply a highlighter on the high points (tops of cheekbones, Cupid’s bow, a bit on the nose bridge) so your skin glows like Gaga’s under lights. Set the makeup with a setting spray to lock it in. This look is both classic and striking: the sharp liner and the vivid red lip are instantly reminiscent of Gaga’s confident red carpet style (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF). Pose for a photo – you’ve got a bit of Mother Monster’s timeless glamour now!

Look 2: Dramatic Stage Smoky Eye (Rockstar “Bad Romance” Style)

For concerts and music videos, Gaga often goes for a high-impact smoky eye paired with a more muted lip. This look draws inspiration from her “Bad Romance” or tour performances – dark, sultry eyes that stand out even from a distance (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Here’s how to recreate a Gaga-worthy smoky eye that’s intense and long-lasting (great for a night out or any time you want that rockstar edge).

1. Skin and Brows First: Because smoky eyes can have fallout (dark shadow bits that fall on the cheeks), consider doing your eye makeup first and skin after – this is what many artists do for dramatic looks. If you do apply foundation first, bake some loose powder under the eyes to catch fallout. Either way, ensure your brows are filled in and slightly bold, since a strong eye can overshadow light brows. Gaga’s brows in smoky eye looks tend to be defined to frame the intensity. Use a waterproof brow gel or pencil so they stay put through blending.
2. Intense Smoky Eyes: Begin with an eyeshadow primer on the lids to ensure longevity and to make the colors pop. Gaga’s smoky eye often has a dark base, so take a black gel eyeliner or creamy pencil and smudge it across your lids near the lash line, blending upward a bit – this will act as a dark base for the shadow (and intensify the black). Next, take a matte black eyeshadow and press it over that base on the mobile lid (up to the crease). Don’t worry about blending yet, just get the pigment down near lashes. Then pick a deep brown or charcoal gray and blend it in the crease and slightly above, to diffuse the black upward. Use a windshield-wiper motion with a fluffy brush to create a gradient from darkest at the lashes to softer at the crease. Gaga’s smokey looks often extend outwards into a wing-like shape or a blown-out cat eye, so you can use the edge of a credit card or a piece of tape angled from the outer corner of the eye toward the end of your brow as a guide to keep that outer edge sharp. Blend the dark shadow outward along that line. Use a clean brush with a bit of a warm brown or taupe to blend the edges further above the crease – this creates a smooth transition. Now, rim your entire eye with black liner: line the upper and lower waterline with a waterproof black pencil. Also smudge that pencil along the lower lash line. Then take a bit of black or dark brown shadow on a smudge brush and smoke out the lower lash line, connecting it to the outer corner of the top shadow. The effect should be encircling the eye in sultry darkness. For extra drama, you can pat a shimmering gunmetal or glitter on the center of the lid (Gaga often adds sparkle to catch the light on stage). A touch of glittery pigment in the middle of the lid or inner corner will make the smoky eye less flat and more multidimensional. Gaga’s “Bad Romance” eye had a bit of diamond-like gleam amid the black. Just be sure to use cosmetic glitter or a high-shimmer shadow (and a bit of setting spray on the brush can foil the shadow to intensify shine).
3. Eyeliner and Lashes: Even though the eye is already dark, Gaga’s looks frequently include a defined liner to enhance eye shape. Use a liquid or gel eyeliner to line the upper lash line, making it ultra black and slightly winged at the ends (trace along that tape guide if you used one). This step makes the base of your lashes even darker and adds that fierce detail when she closes her eyes. It might seem redundant over black shadow, but it actually adds a clean edge amidst the smokiness. Pile on the mascara – at least two coats of a volumizing formula on top and bottom lashes. For Gaga-level impact, definitely add false lashes. A full strip of dramatic lashes (look for styles labeled “dramatic” or “glam”) will amplify the look; you can even stack two pairs if you’re feeling extra. Remember Gaga at the Met Gala with spiky, huge lashes – that’s the energy here (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty) (though you can choose a slightly less extreme style for practicality!). Once the glue is dry, you can even gently add a bit more mascara to marry your real and false lashes together.
4. Clean Up and Skin: Use a makeup wipe or a bit of micellar water on a Q-tip to clean any fallout or sharpen the outer edges of your shadow if needed. Remove any powder you laid down. Now perfect your skin: apply foundation, concealer (especially to brighten under the eyes, since dark makeup can cast shadows). Make sure the under-eye area is clean so the smoky eye looks crisp and intentional. Set the T-zone with powder, but you can keep a subtle sheen on the perimeter of the face for a rockstar glow.
5. Contour and Highlight: In looks like these, Gaga often has a sculpted face to complement the bold eye. Lightly contour your cheekbones, temples, and jawline with a matte bronzer or contour powder. Then add highlighter on the tops of cheekbones – under stage or party lights, a bit of sheen on your cheeks looks great next to a smoky eye. You might recall Gaga’s “Poker Face”/“Paparazzi” performances where her cheekbones caught the light as she danced; a good pearly highlighter will do that.
6. Soft Nude or Defined Neutral Lips: Unlike the classic red lip look, with a very heavy eye Gaga usually goes for a more subdued lip to keep focus on the eyes (though she breaks this rule on occasion, such as pairing a smoky eye and red lip at Oscars 2023 (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty), but that’s a deliberate “more is more” moment). For our smoky eye look, it’s best to balance with a nude or soft neutral lip. Prep lips with balm, then dab on a bit of foundation to mute your natural lip color (Gaga often cancels out her lips for a truly nude effect in some editorial looks). Line the lips with a nude lip liner (something close to your lip tone or slightly deeper). Fill in with a beige, taupe, or light pink lipstick – either matte or with a slight satin finish. An example: Gaga’s Born This Way era often saw her in taupe-nude lips when she had heavy eye makeup. You can also use a mauve or rose if you want a hint more color, but keep it gentle. Add a touch of clear or light pink gloss if you prefer a plump, moist look; otherwise, a matte nude can give that edgy, high-fashion feel.
7. Finishing: Spray your face with a long-lasting setting spray (especially important for a dark eye look so it doesn’t smudge). Double-check the symmetry of your eyes and the blending – a Gaga smoky eye is blown-out and dramatic, but also well-executed with expert blending. If you want to go full Gaga, you could even pop in a pair of colored contact lenses (she’s experimented with anime-like big eye effects in videos, though that was partly digital) – but that’s optional and only if you’re comfortable. With this, you’ll have a smokey eye that’s performer-approved – it’s bold, sexy, and a little mysterious. All eyes will be on your eyes, just as Gaga commands attention on stage.

Look 3: Avant-Garde Art Pop Look (Colorful & Creative)

This look is inspired by Gaga’s most avant-garde makeup moments – when makeup becomes art. Think of her “Applause” cover with the smeared paint, or the crystal-encrusted eye designs from tours, or even the “Marry The Night” and Bowie homages. It’s the kind of makeup that’s perfect for a costume party, concert, or whenever you want to unleash your inner performance artist. There are endless possibilities, but we’ll outline an example that combines a few iconic elements: a graphic eye with embellishments and bold colors. Feel free to get creative and adapt the colors/designs!

1. Plan the Design: Gaga’s artistic looks often start with a concept – be it a lightning bolt, a mask, or abstract paint strokes. Sketch on paper what you want to do or have a reference image. Our example will be a half-face colorful design inspired by the “Applause” makeup (paint smeared around eyes) combined with the crystal wing idea from the Joanne tour. Essentially, one eye will have a large exaggerated wing shape adorned with gems, and we’ll use bright paint-like colors on the face for a splash of art. It helps to outline key shapes with a nude eyeliner on your face as a guide (very lightly).
2. Base Makeup (if doing half-face art): Decide if you want your entire face in facepaint or just portions. In the Applause look, Gaga’s face was a white canvas with color on top (Lady Gaga in 'Applause' single face paint). You can replicate that by applying a white cream makeup all over as a base. Use a sponge to pat a white face paint (like Mehron Clown White or any Halloween store white) over your skin and set it with translucent powder – this gives a blank canvas. If you prefer to keep some of your normal skin, you can just do regular foundation. (In Gaga’s everyday avant-garde, sometimes she kept her skin tone and just added designs on top, like the Bowie bolt which was painted over her normal skin). For our step-by-step, let’s assume a full face white base for maximum impact. Once the white base is on, contour very softly with a grey eyeshadow if you want to create cheekbone definition (optional, as this is more theatrical).
3. Graphic Eye and Color Placement: Using a black eye pencil, sketch a large winged eye shape that extends from your lash line up toward the temple, much larger than a normal wing – basically covering the whole side of your eye area. This is similar to the rounded wing Sarah Tanno did and filled with crystals (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Don’t worry about filling it in yet, just get the outline symmetric on both sides if you plan to do both eyes. Now decide on color: In Applause, Gaga had broad strokes of blue, yellow, and red paint around her eyes. Pick a few vibrant colors (blue and yellow are a good combo, with maybe a bit of orange or red). Using cream pigments or face paints, swipe and blend these colors around the eye area outside your wing outline. For instance, take a cobalt blue and swipe it on the temple and a bit under the eye. Clean your brush, take a golden yellow and dab it above the brow or on the forehead area. Add a touch of red near the outer corner. The idea is to look like “smeared paint” – imperfect, artsy splashes of color (Lady Gaga in 'Applause' single face paint). Blend the edges with your fingers for a naturally messy effect. You can reference the Applause cover: Gaga had blue and yellow around one eye and red coming down from the other, creating a asymmetric art look (Lady Gaga in 'Applause' single face paint). Feel free to be asymmetrical – avant-garde looks don’t need to be identical on both sides. The key is bold pigment and an expressive placement, almost like abstract art on your face.
4. Fill the Wing with Black and Gems: Now, take a black gel or liquid eyeliner and fill in the giant wing shape you drew, or you can use black face paint for a larger area. It should cover the eyelid and beyond – essentially a big black triangle or cat-eye that extends well past your eyebrow tail. Make it as black and opaque as possible. While the liner/paint is still tacky, you can place crystals along it. Use tweezers to pick up small rhinestones (clear or colored crystals) and place them following the shape of the wing. You might line the upper edge of the wing with crystals or fill the entire wing with a mosaic of crystals (depending on patience and how flashy you want it). In Gaga’s tour look, she had crystals densely packed in a curved wing shape (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Applying them: dot a bit of lash glue on the spot, then press the crystal on. Do this until you’ve achieved the desired sparkle – maybe a cluster at the outer corner fading out. If you don’t have crystals, you can use silver sequins or even draw dots with a silver glitter liner to mimic it. It’s labor-intensive, but the result is pure Gaga – dramatic and full of shine.
5. Embellish and Exaggerate: Add more artistic details as you see fit. Maybe extend a line from the wing down across the cheek as if it’s dripping. Or draw tiny star shapes above the brow. If doing the Bowie lightning bolt, you would paint a big red bolt from forehead to cheek and outline in blue glitter – you can incorporate that idea too. The point of avant-garde is to be creative. You could even glue on other 3D elements: Gaga has used lace, pearls, even paper eyelashes in the past. For example, to really hit the ARTPOP note, you could glue a few metallic studs or use foil on parts of the face. Just ensure everything is securely adhered since these looks can be heavy on pieces.
6. Finish Eyes (lashes) and Lips: Such an eye-catching design still benefits from finishing touches on the eye itself. Apply mascara to your lashes so they don’t get lost against the black wing. You can put on an intense false lash as well, though if you covered that area in face paint or crystals, a lash might not stick well. Even without a false lash, the look will be extreme. For lips, you have choices: Gaga sometimes kept a neutral lip when the face was very busy (like a nude when her eyes were painted). Other times she went bold to match — e.g., a dark vampy lip in a Gothic look. With our colorful face, a deep berry or wine red lip could complement the art without distracting (since we didn’t use purple on the face, a wine lip stands out but in a coherent way). Line lips with a deep red or burgundy, fill in with a long-wear liquid lipstick (so it stays through any…applause you receive!). Alternatively, black lipstick could work if you want full-on theater (Gaga has done black lips in the past for certain performances). Since everything else is so artistic, you can even dab some of the same eye paint colors onto the lips for continuity – for instance, a bit of blue on the bottom lip’s center for an artsy touch. There are no rules here!
7. Setting and Wearability: Set any areas of face paint with a translucent powder (or matching colored eyeshadow) to prevent smearing. Lock the whole creation with a makeup setting spray – you want all those glued bits and paint to stay put. Be mindful not to touch or rub your face while wearing this look. If you’re going out, pack a small glue and a couple extra gems in case any fall off, and the lip color for touch-ups. This is a high-maintenance look, but absolutely show-stopping. When you step out with this makeup, it will be instantly recognizable as “Gaga-inspired” because of the fearless use of color and texture. It’s the kind of look that embodies her message of art and self-expression: makeup that makes a statement. Don’t be surprised if people start taking pictures – you’ve just recreated a bit of Gaga’s avant-garde magic!

Each of these step-by-step guides captures a different facet of Lady Gaga’s style. Whether you choose the classic glamour, the edgy smoky eye, or the full-blown artistic look, remember that confidence is key. Gaga carries these looks with attitude and fearlessness. So rock your recreation with pride – perform the look, don’t just wear it. As Gaga’s makeup artist said about colorful trends: “Don’t be afraid… more is more” (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). Have fun and let your makeup tell a story, just like Lady Gaga does.

Pro Tips from Gaga’s Makeup Playbook (Long-Lasting & High-Impact)

To truly nail a Gaga-inspired look, it helps to know the insider tricks that make her makeup stay flawless through hours-long performances and appear high-impact on camera. Here are some pro tips and techniques used by Lady Gaga and her makeup artists:

• Layering is Key for Longevity: Gaga’s makeup artist Sarah Tanno often layers products to make them last. For the Super Bowl, she layered lip balm, lipstick, blotted it, then added another layer and gloss – which survived an entire high-energy halftime show (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF). This principle applies to other areas too: layer cream and powder eyeshadows (a cream base under a powder intensifies color and staying power), or layer liquids and pencils (as with creating Gaga’s wing – pencil first, then liquid on top (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE)). By doing this, each layer adheres to the other, giving a more vibrant and long-wearing result than a single swipe.
• Prime and Set: When you need makeup to endure dancing, heat, or long events (like Gaga’s concerts or a long award night), primer and setting products are your friends. Always start with an eye primer for heavy eye looks – it prevents creasing and fading of those dark shadows. Use a face primer suited to your skin (mattifying where you get oily, hydrating where you’re dry) to create a smooth canvas. After applying makeup, set creams with powders (for example, if you use a cream contour, set it with a similar shade of powder bronzer; set foundation with a translucent or skin-tone powder lightly). Finally, mist a setting spray all over to lock it in. Gaga’s team certainly uses these tricks to keep her makeup fresh despite sweat under stage lights. In fact, Tanno has to consider if the look will “stay looking fresh for two hours of dancing and changing” on stage (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE) – something she honed over years, meaning lots of waterproof and setting techniques. So, think like a pro: assume you need your makeup bulletproof and take those extra steps.
• White Eyeliner for Big, Awake Eyes: This is a signature Gaga trick for her more classic looks. She has revealed that she “always” wears white pencil on her waterline for red carpets because it makes the eyes look bigger and more doll-like (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). This is a well-known makeup artist hack (Marilyn Monroe did it too), and Gaga uses it often to counteract heavy upper liner or dark shadow. To make it last, one of her go-to makeup artists suggests setting the white liner with a tiny bit of similarly colored shadow or even translucent powder (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed) – this prevents it from fading quickly. Also choose waterproof formulas for the waterline (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed) (the Haus Labs white eyeliner is one example built for this). The result is an eye that pops even more under all the dramatic makeup. So next time you do a smoky eye, try lining the lower waterline in white or nude to channel that Gaga effect of doe-eyed glamour. (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed)
• Embrace “More is More” – Select a Focus Feature: Gaga is famous for over-the-top looks, but notice that often one feature is the star at a time. On stage, sure, she might go all out everywhere (it’s full drag, full drama). But on the red carpet, if she does a huge eye, she might do a subtler lip, and vice versa (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). Sarah Tanno mentions she usually picks one feature to stand out for red carpet looks (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE). The pro tip here is: you can go intense, but balance the face. If you want to wear both bold eyes and bold lips like Gaga sometimes does, you absolutely can (rules are meant to be broken!), but it will be a very dramatic look – great for a costume or editorial statement. For most occasions, deciding on one focal point (eyes, lips, or complexion) and slightly dialing back the others will yield a more polished version of Gaga’s style. That said, Gaga’s team also lives by the mantra “don’t be afraid of more” when the situation calls for it (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). So the real pro wisdom is: know when to go all-in and when to pull back. It’s that contrast that makes her looks impactful.
• High-Performance Products and Touch-Ups: Not surprisingly, using quality products is part of the equation. Gaga’s makeup bag is full of items designed for performance – long-wear, smudge-proof, high pigment. For example, her eyeliner and mascara are invariably waterproof to prevent smearing when she’s sweating under lights or even tearing up during an emotional song. She wore a clean, ultra-fluid lip lacquer that didn’t need reapplying at the 2023 Oscars (the Haus Labs Atomic Shake lip color) (Dupe Lady Gaga's Dramatic Smokey Eye & Bold Lip at Oscars 2023 ...). Invest in a few stage-grade products for critical areas like eyeliner and lipstick if you plan to recreate these looks for big events. Additionally, always have a touch-up kit: even the pros will do check-ins. Gaga’s team often trails her on red carpets for last-minute fixes. Carry blotting sheets, the lip color, some powder, and lash glue (if you’re wearing falsies or gems) when you go out. A quick bathroom break to powder the T-zone or refresh the lip can make a difference in keeping you looking Gaga-glam all night.
• Skin Prep and Health: A tip from Gaga’s routine – great makeup starts with great skin prep. Before big makeup applications, she’ll often do a hydrating mask or under-eye patches. Tanno has mentioned the importance of moisturizing and even giving Gaga facial massages to reduce puffiness before makeup. If you have time, pamper your skin with a sheet mask or a moisturizer and let it sink in. This plumps up any fine lines and creates a smoother surface so you need less foundation to look flawless. It also helps the makeup meld with your skin rather than cake on top. Also, don’t neglect your body makeup if you’re showing skin – Gaga at times uses body shimmer or bronzer on her neck and shoulders to match the glow of her face (for instance, at the Grammys or other strapless gown moments).
• Application Techniques for a Pro Finish: Use the right tools and methods: Tanno often applies foundation with a brush then presses it in with a beauty sponge for that filtered skin look (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty). When doing complex eye makeup, she might use multiple brushes – small ones for detail, fluffy ones for blending. One tip she shared for the Joanne tour crystal eye was using a fine tip liquid liner to sharpen and darken the wing after mapping it with pencil (Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE) – meaning don’t rely on one product to do all the work if layering can give a better result. Another pro technique: smoking out liner with shadow for longevity. After drawing Gaga’s eyeliner, gently diffusing the edges with a matching shadow can set it and add drama. And for glitter: use a mixing medium or setting spray on the brush to foil it so it adheres well. Essentially, think like a makeup artist – each step has little hacks (like blotting and reapplying, or setting and layering) that elevate the look from good to superstar.
• Confidence and Attitude: Lastly, a non-technical but crucial tip: wear it with confidence. Gaga’s looks, no matter how crazy, always seem intentional and powerful because she carries them with attitude. If you’ve glued rhinestones to your face or drawn on a big lightning bolt, own it! The way you present yourself completes the makeup. Stand tall, channel your inner Gaga, and don’t shy away. The best pro tip Gaga herself would impart is to have fun and be fearless. Makeup is a form of expression – if you feel great in it, that energy will make the look even more stunning. As Gaga famously encourages, let your uniqueness shine and the world will applaud you (sometimes literally!).

By incorporating these pro tips, you’ll not only make your Lady Gaga-inspired makeup look amazing, but it will also survive whatever the day or night throws at you – from singing along at a concert to dancing at a club or just a long photoshoot. High-impact makeup requires a bit of extra effort, but as Team Gaga knows, the results are worth it when you turn heads and feel fabulous.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives to High-End Products

You don’t need a celebrity bank account to recreate Gaga’s iconic looks. For every luxury product or tool, there’s usually a budget-friendly alternative that can yield a similar effect. Below is a rundown of affordable swaps for the high-end products mentioned, so you can rock Gaga’s style without breaking the bank:

• Foundation: Instead of Haus Labs or designer foundations, try Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless or Dewy + Smooth (choose based on your finish preference). It’s under $10 and a makeup-artist favorite dupe for higher-end foundations because of its natural, buildable coverage. Another great option is L’Oréal True Match or L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear, which give a radiant, long-wearing finish comparable to more expensive formulas. These will create that smooth canvas on a budget, especially if you prep well and set with powder. (Bonus: They have wide shade ranges too.)
• Eyeshadow and Palettes: For bold pigments similar to Gaga’s preferred palettes, ColourPop offers affordable eyeshadows that are very high quality. For example, the ColourPop “Smoke Show” (now called Blowing Smoke) palette has intense blacks and grays perfect for smoky eyes and costs much less than pro palettes. If you want bright avant-garde colors, look at BH Cosmetics or Morphe palettes – they often have 35-color palettes with blues, pinks, yellows etc., ideal for artistic looks, at a fraction of the price of luxury brand palettes. While Haus Labs and Marc Jacobs shadows are great, a drugstore brand like Milani also has small palettes with excellent pigmentation (the Milani Most Wanted palettes or NYX Ultimate Brights palette are good choices). To mimic that sparkle without spending a lot, try e.l.f. Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows – they give a glittery pop similar to Stila’s Glitter & Glow but are around $5.
• Eyeliner (Liquid and Pencil): Gaga’s exact liners (Haus Labs, Marc Jacobs) can be pricey, but NYX Epic Ink Liner (for liquid) and NYX Tres Jolie Gel Pencil or LA Girl Glide Gel Liner (for pencil) are fantastic affordable stand-ins. They are very black, smooth, and long-wearing – perfect for dramatic wings and waterlines. Another budget hero is Wet n Wild Megaliner (liquid) – it’s been a staple for many because of its deep black formula and precision brush, all under $4. For the white eyeliner trick, the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk or LA Girl Shockwave Liner in “Ice Queen” give you that bright white payoff Gaga gets, without the cost. These alternatives have been tested by makeup lovers and often compared favorably to high-end products, so you can trust them for your Gaga looks.
• Lipsticks and Glosses: Instead of splurging on designer lipsticks, check out Revlon, Maybelline, and NYX for high-pigment lip colors. A dupe for Gaga’s inauguration lip (Haus Labs 1950) is Maybelline Creamy Matte in “Rich Ruby” or Revlon Super Lustrous in “Certainly Red” – both are classic reds with a similar tone and great wear. For a matte crayon like Le Monster, ColourPop’s Lippie Stix or NYX Matte Lipsticks have plenty of reds (and other colors) that are rich and long-lasting. If you loved the idea of the Marc Jacobs lip gloss used on Gaga, a comparable affordable gloss would be NYX Butter Gloss in a red shade like “Apple Crisp” or e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Lacquer in “Bold Berry” for that high-shine finish. And if you want Gaga’s more muted lip colors for smoky looks, try Milani Color Statement Lipstick (shades like “Matte Beauty” or “Teddy Bare” are great neutrals) or NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in “London” or “Abu Dhabi” for a soft nude. These products typically cost a fraction of luxury brands (often under $8) but deliver on color and comfort.
• Highlighters and Blush/Bronzer: For Gaga’s glow on a budget, Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighters (as mentioned) are excellent – shades like “Precious Petals” can give you that champagne gleam similar to Haus Labs or Becca highlighters. Also, Makeup Revolution and ColourPop make very reflective highlighters that have been compared to high-end ones. As for blush, you don’t need Gaga’s specific blush to emulate her flushed cheeks – CoverGirl Cheekers in “Rock’n Rose” or e.l.f. Primer-Infused Blush in a bright pink can replicate that pop of color seen in her 80s-inspired blush draping (Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty). For bronzer/contour, NYX Matte Bronzer or Rimmel Natural Bronzer can give a similar warmth and contour as more expensive bronzers; they blend well and look natural on the skin. Even a face powder in a darker shade can work as contour in a pinch.
• Lashes and Extras: Instead of high-end false lashes, go for Ardell or Kiss lashes – they have dramatic styles like “Wispies” or “Glamour” that mimic the effect of pricier mink lashes. You can even layer two Ardell lashes to get an ultra-glam look and still spend under $10. For crystals and gems, craft stores or online shops sell packets of rhinestones for a few dollars. Brands like e.l.f. have face gem sets for festival makeup that are very affordable. Glitter for eyes can be bought from NYX or even craft cosmetic glitter (just ensure it’s cosmetic grade). Instead of high-end glitter glue, NYX Glitter Primer is a cheap dupe that holds glitter just as well. And if you need brushes but don’t want to spend a lot, Real Techniques and EcoTools make quality makeup brushes and sponge sets at drugstore prices that work perfectly for blending and detailing.
• Dupes for Specific Gaga-used Products: To recap a few one-to-one swaps: Gaga’s Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara dupe – try L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise (often cited as a dupe for Too Faced Better Than Sex, which Velvet Noir is similar to). Gaga’s favorite white waterline pencil from Haus Labs – use Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl in White (super creamy and waterproof, under $5). The Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer (for that budge-proof red at Oscars) – a drugstore alternative is Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink in a red shade, which also sets to a shiny, long-wear finish (it’s a new formula that beauty gurus compare to high-end long-wear glossy stains). Even for foundation: Haus Labs foundation’s dewy finish can be approximated by Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Dewy Foundation – a very affordable product that reviewers say gives an almost identical effect to Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk (a celebrity staple).

With these alternatives, you can essentially duplicate the product arsenal used in Gaga’s looks at a much lower cost. Quality doesn’t always mean expensive – many drugstore products are celebrated by makeup artists and enthusiasts alike. The key is to test and find what works for you. You might even mix high and low (splurge on the foundation, save on the eyeshadows, for example). Gaga herself is about inclusivity and accessibility in beauty (hence her own line has mid-range pricing), so it’s in the spirit of Gaga to use whatever you have and can afford to express yourself. As long as you choose pigmented, long-wearing formulas and apply them with the love and creativity we outlined, the end result will be just as stunning. Your passion in recreating the look matters more than the price tag of the products.

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By combining the signature elements, using the recommended (or alternate) products, following the step-by-step techniques, and heeding the pro tips, you’ll be well on your way to channeling Lady Gaga’s iconic makeup looks. Remember to cite inspiration but add your own twist – Gaga is all about individual expression. Now grab your brushes, crank up “Bad Romance,” and get ready to recreate some show-stopping Gaga glam! Good luck, and as Gaga might say – “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen” in your makeup endeavors.

Sources:

(Lady Gaga’s Inauguration Beauty 2021: All the Makeup Details | Vogue) (This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF) – Gaga’s love of a timeless bold red lip and its symbolism.

(Lady Gaga’s Inauguration Beauty 2021: All the Makeup Details | Vogue) – Products and shades (Haus Labs lip crayon “1950”, tawny eyeshadow, etc.) used for Gaga’s inauguration look (Old Hollywood glam inspiration).

(Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE) – Pushing boundaries with styling and “out-of-this-world smoky eye” – Gaga’s avant-garde approach noted by her makeup artist.

(Lady Gaga in 'Applause' single face paint) – Description of the “Applause” cover art makeup (face smeared with colorful paint, Pierrot style).

(Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE) – Sarah Tanno detailing the Joanne Tour eye: big rounded wing, Swarovski crystals, and products (Marc Jacobs liners, etc.) to create it.

(Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty) – Reference to Gaga’s star-studded Super Bowl eyes (2017) and inch-long lashes at Met Gala 2019, illustrating her dramatic eye embellishments.

(Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty) – Gaga’s usual red carpet makeup is classic; her tip of white liner on waterline to enlarge eyes.

(Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed) (Lady Gaga Wore Bright White Eyeliner & Looked So Refreshed) – Gaga’s use of white eyeliner; pro tip to set it with powder and use long-wear formulas for lasting effect (Bustle interview/tips).

(This Is Lady Gaga's Exact Red-Lip Combo from Her Super Bowl Performance | SELF) – Layering of lip products by Sarah Tanno for Super Bowl look (balm, Marc Jacobs lipstick, blotting, gloss) to ensure long wear and rich color payoff.

(Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty) – “Don’t be afraid of more is more; color is back. Blush is really in…” – Tanno on embracing bold blush and by extension bold makeup, a philosophy behind Gaga’s looks.

(Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Sarah Tanno on Iconic Looks | ELLE) – Difference between stage and red carpet: on red carpet Gaga’s skin is made to look natural, glowing, and usually only one feature is amped (unless doing a themed look like Bowie).

(Lady Gaga's Bold 2023 Oscars Makeup Look: Lady Gaga Oscars Beauty) – Description of Gaga’s 2023 Oscars makeup: combined smoky eye, red lips, lots of blush – an example of a high-impact combo look.

(Dupe Lady Gaga's Dramatic Smokey Eye & Bold Lip at Oscars 2023 ...) – Note about the Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer (glossy red) being a “cult-classic” that stays on without reapplication – used by Gaga (source implies at Oscars).

(Lady Gaga’s Makeup Artist Shares Her Best Over-40 Makeup Tips - NewBeauty) – Sarah Tanno’s general makeup tips: use a larger brush then sponge for foundation, satin finish products, pops of blush, and less contour – insight into how Gaga’s looks (especially as she matures) favor glow and color over heavy contour.

These sources from beauty magazines and interviews with Gaga’s makeup artist corroborate the techniques, product info, and creative approach described. By following the guidance above, anyone can tap into Lady Gaga’s makeup magic in an informed way. Now, go forth and recreate those iconic looks – and most importantly, have fun with it!