The 2015 Golden Globes which aired this past Sunday did not reveal any surprises beauty-wise (more nude lips than you can shake a stick at, although why anyone would want to do that, is beyond me #weirdexpression), but it did show an overall trend towards a softer and more wearable palette of colours. As expected, makeup, hair and nails may have once again played a secondary role to the clothing (and if I were wearing a $20,000 gown, I’d definitely want the focus to be on that as well) but each beauty component was nevertheless important in its own right, adding the finishing touch and completing every look (with a few misses, naturally).

For the most part, the beauty looks could be broken down into easily identifiable categories: variations of nude lips dominated – beige, pink, apricot – eyes wavered from lightly lined to a more intense smoky tone, while cheeks were allowed to sport a bright flush of colour. Fluttery lashes were definitely seen aplenty, but what was noticeably missing, was the harsh contouring that seemed to be so prevalent from previous awards shows – Thank God – although I did feel that some celebrities went seriously overboard in the bronzer department, looking more oompa-loompa than sun-kissed (note to future awards show makeup artists: tone it down).

Hair fell in one of two camps; there was the ‘loose’ group – from slightly roughed up bobs to sleeker falls of more defined waves – and the structured group, with hair slicked down & the party in the back, displaying slightly messy buns, tailored ponies, and/or jewelled ornamentation. Again, no surprises here, with the exception that hair did appear that much more real and touchable – although there still were a few [rare] sightings of overworked, stiff, and teased do’s. Sigh.

Bear in mind that the following is not meant to be a completed list of attendees; as stated in my Golden Globes Style Recap post, that Herculean task would simply take too long. Instead, I’ve opted to show some of my favourite beauty looks – although I confess to several disappointments as well, such as Jennifer Aniston’s pulled back hair that left me utterly cold, while JLo’s alien-esque lipstick freaked me out just a bit. A big surprise hit for me was Katie Holmes (sorry, but I’ve never been a fan, although I’ve warmed up to her since she ditched her loony-tunes husband, Tom Cruise) showcasing a sleek pony done right and a combo of intense lined eyes/matte mouth. The beauty of Lupita Nyong’o once again stood out, with her berry lips and lavender eye makeup – making everyone else look a little drab by comparison. If there were an award handed out for that one celebrity who perfectly nailed every single detail, then that would go hands down to Jessica Chastain, with her Grecian-inspired pleated bronze Versace gown, that was complimented with bronze smoky eyes/nude glossed lips and that swathe of hair cascading down one shoulder. Outstanding.

Where possible, I’ve included the makeup artist behind the look, along with the products used; for others, I’ve given my own interpretations. I will be sure to update with any new information that comes my way.

Enjoy my Beauty Recap! Feel free to let me know whose look worked for you!

The Nude Group

Defined by a neutral lip and subtle eye/face makeup, I’ve grouped these in ascending order of colour intensity.

Sienna Miller – look created by Charlotte Tilbury

Products used:

Charlotte used a combination of Light Wonder Foundation shades (6 Medium and 7 Medium) and Retoucher Concealer where needed. She then powdered down the center of the face to finish her skin. To enhance Sienna’s brows, Brow Lift in Grace K and Cara D were used. For Sienna’s eyes, an eye pencil was added along the lash line for depth. A blend of The Sophisticate shadow, Pop, and Barbella Brown were used to create a sultry smokey eye.
To complete the look, Charlotte enhanced Sienna’s cheekbones with bronzer and highlight, and finished the entire look with a blend of nude lipsticks – specifically, Matte Revolution Lipstick in Sexy Sienna and a touch of K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Nude Kate.

Diane Kruger

Diane’s look is the epitome of “me, only better” – I love how her cheeks sport the brightest touches of colour here, with lips a flattering soft pink and eyes just lightly defined enough to stand out naturally. Perfectly groomed (but not overdrawn) brows are the perfect final touch. Best part: those are her natural lashes – how awesome is that?

Kate Hudson – look created by Christian McCulloch

Products used:

Dolce & Gabbana blush and foundation were used in tandem to achieve a radiant look. A chocolate-coloured eyeliner and bronze eye shadow cream, also by the brand, completed her eyes, and a honey-toned lipstick with a cashmere hued lipliner tied the look together. Kate’s look here follows her usual seemingly effortless style, although I take exception to her brows whose colour seems a little ‘off’, and her shimmering white shadow – a less stark version of white would have complimented her look so much better.

Kate Beckinsale – look created by Adam Breuchard

Products used:

All by Chantecaille: Nude Future Skin foundation was applied all over the face then a light contoure was given with Radiance Gel Bronzer. For the eyes, Eye Shade in Java was applied over the entire lid and under the eye. He then blended out the edges using Eye Shade in Rose Gold. Gel Liner Pencil in Espresso was used to line the top lash line. To deepen the look, he applied Marble from the Piazza San Marco Chrome Luxe Eye Duo directly on top of the liner and smoke the color out over the entire lid. Gel Liner Pencil in Jet was drawn along the top and bottom lash lines. To open the eye, wet Eye Shade in Pyrite was applied to the bottom waterline. For the cheeks, he used Cheek Shade in Emotion on the apples of her cheeks and then added some highlight with the brand’s Liquid Lumiere in Lustre. Kate’s nude lip was a mixture of Brilliant Gloss in Modern and Folly.

Jessica Chastain – look created by Kristofer Buckle

Products used:

All by Yves Saint Laurent Beauté: A perfect complexion was created using Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation in Beige Doré and Touche Eclat N°1.
Blush Volupté N°8 was then applied on her cheeks to get a soft transparent pink effect.
To shift the attention to her green eyes and give her an elongated smokey, smoldering, and sexy umber eye, shades from the Couture Palette n°3 and N°1 were used, intensified with Effet Faux Cils Crème d’Eyeliner in Deep black.
Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll Fetish in Black was applied to both top and bottom lashes to give an amplified effect.
For lips, a combination of Baby Doll Kiss and Blush N°7 was applied with a layer of Volupté Sheer Candy N°1 on top.

Katie Holmes – look created by Genevieve Herr

Products used:

This look was achieved with the help of Laura Mercier Soft Black Violet Kohl Pencil, and dusted with a blend of amethyst and black from the Lancôme Color Design palette in Violet Sweetheart. Topping off the look, Herr opted for matte nude lips. There’s something edgy, modern, and even a touch dangerous about Katie’s look here, and I love how the lips were kept neutral, letting the eyes do the talking instead (and for the record, her aubergine Marchesa gown was just beyond).

Jennifer Lopez – look created by Mary Phillips

Products used:

The focus was kept on achieving a stunning smoky eye and leaving the lips nude (created with Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Lip Pencil #1 and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Lip Color in Neverending Nutmeg). The eye look comprised L’Oréal Paris Infallible Smokissime Powder Eyeliner in Brown Smoke with a touch of taupe, gold, and brown hues using Infallible Eye Shadow Crayons. My biggest gripe with JLo’s look, was the excessive use of bronzer on her usually gold-kissed and flawless complexion, as well as the plasticky look to her lips – her eyes, on the other hand, were killer.

The Pink/Nude Group

Defined by touches of more colour and shine to the lips, with more focus shifting to the eyes. Once again the looks are in ascending order of colour intensity.

Rosamund Pike – look created by Melanie Inglessis

Products used:

For now, the only product that I know for sure which was used in this look, is the Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lip Liner in #5C Beige Brown. While I may not have been a fan of her Vera Wang gown (100% unflattering), I can’t deny how Rosamund’s makeup and hair were simply spectacular – her skin looks perfectly flawless & utterly poreless, while the combination of sooty eyeliner and fluttery lashes adds just the right drama to her stunning eyes.

Amy Adams – look created by Stephen Sollitto

Products used:

Light copper tones were used on her eyes, including Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Brun-Teak. I love how the most impact on this look appears to be focussed on the outer corner of Amy’s eyes; the slightly untitled liner and fanned out lashes perfectly compliment those gorgeous baby blues, while her pastel peachy lips add just the right touch of colour to the face and contrast beautifully with both her auburn hair & masterfully detailed Versace gown.

Reese Witherspoon – look created by Molly R. Stern

Products used:

For now, the only products I know for sure that were used, are a combination of Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Blaze and Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow in Fira to provide an intense flush to the cheeks. What I absolutely love in this look, is the more adventurous use of colour on the eyes, with deep impact on the upper lids and the smoked out effect continuing along the lower lash line but with a unique bronzy twist. Reese’s blush is also perfectly applied, concentrated more on the apples of her cheeks to appear natural (not wind-burned), and lips in a soft pink tone.

Jennifer Aniston – look created by Angela Levin

Products used:

Angela went for a classic sun-kissed effect, adding glow with Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet Smooth-Effect Makeup in 70 Beige and 22 Beige Rosé. On the cheeks, she applied Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel in Destiny and Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour in N°70. Her lips were a blend of lip liner in Mordoré-Nude, Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshine in Deauville and Glossimer in Sweet Beige. Jennifer has long been one of my beauty and style icons, but I confess to being rather unimpressed with her efforts here; the makeup was just too dark and piled on for my liking, while her Saint Laurent gown was just passable, and certainly a far cry from some of the stunning numbers we’ve seen her wear in the past.

Aniston’s bun was, of course, created by her longtime stylist Chris McMillan. With regards to Jennifer’s hair, I have to say that I may not have liked the front, but I’m totally loving the slightly imperfect bun.

Claire Danes – look created by Matin

Products used:

All by NARS: All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, Fervor Dual-Intensity Blush, Giove Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow, and Kalisté Eyeliner Pencil. As Claire’s Valentino Couture gown (whose design is comprised of hundreds of little feathers hand-sewn together, by the way) had so much going on, I’m happy to see that her makeup was left relatively simple – until you noticed the hints of peacock blue sparkle on her upper lash line, which also went a long way towards adding a nice touch of colour to her face.

The Colour Group:

Defined by deeper hues, jewel-like tones, and brighter touches along both the eyes and the mouth.

Keira Knightley – look created by Kate Lee

Products used:

To start, Chantecaille’s Liquid Lumière in Sheen was applied to highlight Keira’s cheekbones and jawline before applying Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet Smooth-Effect foundation. For the eyes, shades from the Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Tissé Rivoli were used and for the cheeks, Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Bronze was applied, concentrating on achieving a visible flush. To finish the look, lips were defined with Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in Étienne (out this spring). Keira’s CHANEL gown may have been a hot mess, but her makeup? Flawless.

Lupita Nyong’o – look created by Nick Barose

Products used:

Shades from the Lancôme eye shadow palette in Jacaranda Bloom were used to add pops of colour to the eyes, with more intensity achieved by applying Lancôme eyeliners in Aubergine and Amethyst. Lips were defined with Lancôme Color Design in Hit List with a glossy layer of Lip Lover in Framboise Étoile on top.

Felicity Jones

The makeup created here, is a perfect example of how to highlight both the eyes and the mouth in one look; while rather smoked out, the colour stays within the boundaries of the eye shape, just slightly elongated upwards at the outer corners, leaving the upper crease area fairly clean. The coral/pink lip colour completes the look, made totally workable by a satiny texture (glossy would have been overkill), as well as adding a nice bright pop to an otherwise somber colour palette. Even the hair, tailored and sleek but not too slick, adds a modern touch – especially when you consider the almost severe lines of Felicity’s Dior Couture gown.

Amal Alamuddin Clooney – look created by Charlotte Tilbury

Products used:

All Charlotte Tilbury: A very classic and true Hollywood-glamour look was the focus here; the Pop shade the Luxury Palette in The Dolce Vita palette was swept across the lids and depth was given via the Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eye Pencil in Barbarella Brown. Cheeks were dusted with Cheek to Chic in Love Glow and First Love.

Finally, her crimson lips were a mix of Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Savage Rose along with K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Night Crimson and Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red.

Photo credits