Selena Gomez has come a long way since she starred as Alex Russo on the Disney Channel's Wizards Of Waverly Place. To wit: In just a few short years the actress-turned-singer has starred in numerous films, cranked out many chart-topping songs, and even joined UNICEF's team as a celebrity ambassador. She hit her stride in the beauty department, too.
While Gomez loves to take risks on the red carpet — and seems to be forever experimenting with her hair (a girl after our own hearts) — she has a few mainstay looks that have proven so reliable, she calls on them again and again. Having signature looks is a must — no matter if you're a star or not, so it's no surprise hers are damn inspiring. We're talking waves with just the right amount of shine, eyes painted into upturned shapes, and a bouquet of rose lip colors — all of which she's perfected with just the right nuances. Suffice it to say, these looks have been refined.
Check out the slides ahead to see for yourself. One tip: Have a notebook handy, because you're going to want to copy all of 'em...
1. The Polished Smoky Eye
We dare you to take a trip down memory lane and find a red carpet appearance where Gomez wasn't wearing some version of this polished-yet-sultry eye. Thanks to makeup artists like Hung Vanngo and Daniel Chinchilla, the star's winged-out smoky eyes have become her signature.
Unfortunately, this look isn't the easiest to master at home — but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. The technique is similar to a regular smoky eye, but involves creating a winged-out finish and a touch of metallic texture right in the center of the top lid. This keeps the entire effect open and sultry, not overly-edgy or punk-inspired. (Also rad, but clearly not her thing.)
Tip: Place medical tape, a shadow guide, or a business card along the outer corner of your eye before dusting on your shadow — this will make it easy to create a crisp line.
Photo: Via @selenagomez.
2. Her Lips, But Better
While many celebs opt for a rainbow of lip shades for their many events, Gomez tends to keep things in neutral territory. According to celebrity makeup artist, Pamela Cochrane, the modern version of a nude is a your-lips-but-better (YLBB) shade. Clearly Gomez got the memo...
The key to finding the ideal YLBB hue is to invest in lipsticks that are just a touch deeper than your natural lip color. Not sure where to look? Brands like Maybelline and Bite have entire ranges of nudes dedicated to helping you pick the perfect one. From there, check out this handy guide for more information on finding your shade of buff.
3. Beachy & Textured hair — But Never Matte
Gomez's voluminous tresses have become a calling card for the entertainer — and most-often worn in a natural-looking wave. She's found a perfect balance: A lived-in, textured shape, but still shiny and bouncy.
We love emulating beachy waves like Gomez's because the look doesn't involve a whole lot of precision. Start with clean, smoothed out strands (whether by air- or blow-drying, depending on your texture), then create waves and bends with a curling wand.
Remember: The goal isn't to make your hair look polished or "done," so curl your hair is alternate directions to make the waves appear more natural.
4. In-Your-Face Falsies
No Gomez-inspired eye look is complete without a pair of inky, full falsies. And we're not talking teeny individuals: She unapologetically dons dramatic lashes — and we're here for it.
False lashes can be intimidating for even the most seasoned beauty aficionado. But with some practice (and patience, too) it doesn't have to be. Get yourself a pair of lashes (like these!) and carefully trace some glue along the band. Make sure to let the glue dry for 10-15 seconds before applying them to your lids — this will allow the glue to get tacky.
5. Sleek, Shiny, & Center-Parted Hair
Have you noticed that Gomez's hair is always insanely shiny? Seriously, whether she's wearing it wavy or straight the star's locks are so glossy you can practically spot your reflection.
To give your hair an extra boost of shine, reach for Oribe's Après Beach Wave & Shine Spray. It adds a smooth, glossy finish and a bit of texture — no picking between the two or cocktailing!
Wearing your hair down? Spray a bit directly into lengths and shake hair loose. If wearing hair back, simply spray directly into hands and smooth over strands.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Soon, You Can Smell Like Shawn Mendes' Favorite Scent In The World
Bella Hadid Really Loves Her Bubble Baths — & We Love Her Even More For It