My Queens Series Part 2: Lady Gaga!

Hi raspberries! Today is part 2 of My Queens Series. This one is going to be focused on Lady Gaga! I mainly did looks from her music videos, although Gaga also has a bunch of iconic looks from public appearances (like the 2010 VMAs and her Meat Dress). I might do another post eventually that addresses her public appearance looks. For now, onto the makeup, Little Monsters! Paws up!

Poker Face (2009)

It seems crazy that this was almost 6 years ago, but the first look I'm doing is from the video for "Poker Face", off of Gaga's debut album, The Fame.
This one is heavily focused on the eyes, although they're a bit hard to see in the video due to her blunt bang wig. This is actually relatively simple, so don't panic! I think Gaga was tanning a bit during this era, as she looks quite a bit darker than in later eras. If you want to rock a bronzer, be my guest! The only face product I'm recommending here is the Matte Radiance Baked Powder from Laura Mercier in Highlighter 01. Use this on your cheekbones, chin, and nose to get Gaga's glowy look.
The eyes are silver, with an extreme, almost foil finish. I'm suggesting the MAC Pigment Colour Powder in Platinum to use as the base on the lid. For depth, I suggest Knight Divine from MAC, which is a pewter silver color. It looks to me like there's a touch of gold in the outer area of her lid, but it may just be the lighting. If you want to add it, dab on a bit of MAC's Pigment in Gold. Line the eyes and lower lids, and apply a bit of Knight Divine under the eyes, with Platinum in the inner corners. I'd suggest finishing with the strip lashes from Make Up For Ever in 110 Alexandra.
Her lips are a pinky-nude gloss, so I'm suggesting the NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight.
Product Round-Up:
Face
Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlighter 01
Eyes
MAC Pigment Colour in Platinum
MAC Eye Shadow in Knight Divine
MAC Pigment Colour in Gold
Make Up For Ever Strip Eyelashes in 110 Alexandra
Lips
NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight

Paparazzi (2009)

Here's another look from The Fame, this time from "Paparazzi". There's a bunch of looks in this video, but this is the most famous. This comes at the end when Gaga poisons her boyfriend wearing Minnie Mouse sunglasses.
There's not much going on with the face here that stands out to me, so apply your face makeup however you like, but shoot for a dewy finish.
For the eyes, it's all about lashes and graphic liner. I've decided to recommend the gel liner from L'oreal's HIP line in 905 Black. This is my favorite drugstore gel liner, but I think it might be discontinued in some stores. I also like the Wet n' Wild gel liner and the L'oreal Infallible gel liner for drugstore gel liners. You'll want to apply this heavily on the upper lid, and under the waterline, making sure to draw the line down in the inner corner. Line the waterline with white. Wear full lashes on top. It looks like Gaga is wearing lashes intended for the upper lids on her lower lids. I'm suggesting the 116 lashes from Ardell (another drugstore option).
The lips are the focus of this look. You'll want to essentially "erase" your lips, and draw tiny new ones, in the shape of Gaga's. I recommend using the Bobbi Brown Corrector to conceal your lips, and setting with powder. Applying lipstick directly from the tube won't provide enough precision, so I'm suggesting you use a lip brush. I like the 318 Retractable Lip Brush from MAC. There's a lot of black lipsticks out there, but in the video, Gaga's lips are matte, almost leathery looking. So, I suggest using the Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer, which is a "matte pitch black".
If you're feeling cheeky, put on some black nail polish to complete the vibe. I'm suggesting Black Onyx from OPI. The perfect look for murdering people who exploit you!
Product Round-up:
Eyes
L'oreal HIP Gel Liner in 905 Black (or similar)
Ardell Lashes in 116
Lips
Bobbi Brown Corrector in the shade that suits you
MAC 318 Retractable Lip Brush
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer
Nails
OPI Classic Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx

Bad Romance (2009)

This is where I think things really started changing for Gaga. "Bad Romance" was the biggest single off of her second album, The Fame Monster. The video has a lot of different looks, with the most famous probably being the curly peach wig and giant eyes "bathtub" sequences. I chose this look instead as I thought it was a bit more interesting (and probably didn't involve special effects editing). This is from the lasts scene in the video, where Gaga sets her lover's bed on fire (and him with it).
Her face here is very pale, so I'm suggesting mixing the Illamasqua Skin Base in 01 (White), with whatever foundation you use. If you don't feel like being ghostly, feel free to forego it. Gaga's blush here is really carved out, in an almost drag-style way. I'm suggesting using The Slenderizer Bamboo Contour Brush from Tarte to get the extreme effect. For the color, I like the Make Up For Ever HD Blush in 425 Brown Copper, which is a rusty red-brown.
Her eyes are done really intensely in blacks and dark greys, so I like the Le Prisme Mono Yeux shadow quad from Givenchy, because all the colors are in there. It's a Barney's exclusive, so feel free to use whatever blacks and dark greys you like. I'm recommending the Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black again for the lower lid. She's got on really heavy flared lashes, and I think the 013s from Illamasqua are just about perfect.
You'll definitely want to use a lip liner here, as her lips have been overdrawn in a color slightly darker than the lipstick that was used. I'm suggesting the Bette Audacious lipstick from NARS, which is a beautiful deep red.
Set some men on fire! (Literally or figuratively.)
Product Round-up:
Face
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in 01
Tarte The Slenderizer Bamboo Contour Brush
Make Up For Ever HD Blush in 425 Brown Copper
Eyes
Givenchy Le Prisme Mono Yeux in Black
Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Black
Illamasqua Lashes in 013
Lips
NARS Bette Lipstick in Audacious

Telephone (2009)

This is one of my favorite Gaga looks, from the video for "Telephone", off of The Fame Monster. The video is quite long, and involves an imprisoned Gaga busting out with her friend, Honey Bee (Beyonce). Together they poison all of the patrons in a diner, setting off in their "Pussy Wagon". Gaga rocks about a bazillion looks in this video, and they're all iconic, so I just went with my favorite, the phone hat.
Her face looks pretty matte here, but it has been highlighted. The focus is her pink blush, which is very similar to Mocha from NYX.
The eyes take center stage, and I think can be achieved using just three colors and some serious blending. Her lids are a navy blue, I'm recommending Make Up For Ever's Artist Shadow in I220 Sapphire. There's a black graphic shape going from her inner eyebrow across the crease and extending past the outer corner. It looks matte to me so I'm suggesting M100 Black from Make Up For Ever. You can use a shimmery black if you like. You can also use this same shade to do the black eyebrows which connect to the shadow. Fill them in with an angled brush like MAC's 266 Small Angle Brush. The brow bone is done in a white that contrasts dramatically with the rest of the eye makeup. I recommend ME122 Snow from Make Up For Ever. You'll want to use falsies here, obviously, but I'm going to take the opportunity to suggest the Voluminous Original Mascara from L'oreal for the lower lashes, and going over your natural lashes. It's a fantastic drugstore mascara.
Gaga's lips here are a very blue-toned fuchsia, very similar to Show Orchid from MAC.
Now you've got two glamorous looks for poisoning people!
Product Round-up:
Face
NYX Powder Blush in Mocha
Eyes
Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in L220 Sapphire
Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in M100 Black
Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in ME122 Snow
MAC 266 Small Angle Brush
L'oreal Voluminous Original Mascara
Lips
MAC Lipstick in Show Orchid

Judas (2011)

"Judas" was one of my favorite singles off of Gaga's third album, Born This Way, released in 2011. There's a lot of playing on religious themes on this album, going back to Gaga's Roman Catholic roots. I chose this look from the "Judas" video because of its graphic eyeliner. It's really simple to achieve, with a big impact.
For the face, all I'm recommending is the Contour Blush from NARS, which has a highlighter and contour shade. Use this on the hollows of your cheeks to get Gaga's killer cheekbones.
For the eyes, I'm recommending the Naked Basics palette from Urban Decay. Most of the shades here are matte, which are the shadows she's wearing on her eyes. Keep it subtle so you don't distract from the eyeliner. If you don't know already, you won't be able to achieve this look with a pencil liner, as it's not precise enough. If you like, you can use a gel liner, but I'm suggesting my favorite liner, the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner from Stila in Black. You can use this to draw the line coming off of the brow, as well as the rest of the graphic liner. If this look is too much for you, you can try doing just the cat eye on the upper lid and the extended line on the lower lid, and forego the additional lines that curl in to the "drop" shape.
For the lips, I chose the Tom Ford Lip Color in Crimson Noir, which is a dark cherry red.
Product Round-up: 
Face
NARS Contour Blush
Eyes
Urban Decay Naked The Basics Palette
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black
Lips
Tom Ford Lip Color in Crimson Noir

You and I (2011)

"You and I" was another single off of Born This Way, and plays with some country themes. The video features one of Gaga's "characters", Jo Calderone, who she dressed as in some public appearances during the promotion of the single. This ended up being one of Gaga's most famous looks, because she did such a great job pulling off the look, and acting like she thought Jo would.
This look is really fun if you've ever wanted to play around with more androgynous looks. I used to wear androgynous makeup when I was in my early high school years, despite how girly I am now. It can really be a blast! Don't be afraid to experiment with gender if you want to.
For the face, I'm recommending the Ben Nye 12-Color Eye Shadow and Rouge Palette. As a preface, this is stage makeup. You could achieve this look using shadows or face powders, but I really think all the colors you'll need are in here. This was made to be used for creating "characters", like Jo Calderone. You'll want to use the colors to carve out more masculine features if you're a woman or have a female face. I'd suggest things like defining your forehead, jawline, and cheekbones. Focus on erasing soft, "feminine" lines and creating angular "masculine" ones. For a final touch, I suggest the MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush, which is a stippling brush, to fake a bit of facial hair, or a five-o-clock shadow.
For the eyes, you're going to want to give yourself some intense eyebrows. Especially if you pluck your eyebrows or keep them in an arch, focus on adding volume and creating a shape that's basically straight across. You can use any brow powder for this (powder will look more natural), But I'm recommending the NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder, which is affordable and works like a charm. It also comes with a bit of wax to keep your natural brows in place. I've looked at a lot of photos of Gaga as Jo, and there are a lot of colors going on on her lids. I'd suggest staying with matte colors, as shimmers will look too feminine and "makeup-y". Gaga uses a lot of smokey neutrals as Jo, because she's trying to give him a tired, intense look. I suggested the Warm 88 Palette from Coastal Scents, because every color you'll need to use is in there. And it's a total bargain.
Pop a cigarette in your mouth and go steal some hearts, tiger!
Product Round-up:
Face
Ben Nye 12-Color Eye Shadow and Blush Palette
MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush
Eyes
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder
Coastal Scents Warm 88 Palette

Applause (2013)

"Applause" was the lead single off of Gaga's most recent solo album, Artpop, released in 2013. A lot of the aesthetic and promotion surrounding the album played on themes of painting and art, as the album title suggests. This look, where Gaga turns herself into a painting, became very popular in performances and public appearances to promote the single. I'm not suggesting you go out on the street like this (unless you want to). I just had to include this iconic look. It would be great for a party, or even a Gaga show.
This only involves three products as far as I can see. The face is stark white, so I'm suggesting the Clown White from Ben Nye. This is stage makeup, and very thick, so you'll probably want to apply with a sponge to get even coverage. Set it with Super White from Ben Nye, which is a setting powder designed to bring out the whiteness in white face paint. This will also keep your bright colors in place, and prevent the white from melting off.
The starring role here are the bright colors. In the video, they look almost liquid (and I believe you could water these down), but in public appearances they look thicker (like oil paint). The look you choose is up to you. I think the Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case is perfect for this, because you can mix all the colors you'd need.
One second you're a Koons then suddenly the Koons is you!
Product Round-up:
Ben Nye Clown White
Ben Nye Super White Powder
Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case

G.U.Y. (2013)

The video for "G.U.Y." is over 11 minutes long, and includes bits from other songs off of Artpop that were never released as singles. A seperate "G.U.Y.-Only Version" was released that only has the title song in it. Throughout the "G.U.Y." Only Version, Gaga only wears a few makeup looks. Since I just did the crazy "Applause" makeup, I thought I'd pick this, which is one of her most wearable.
For the face, I'm suggesting the Naked Flushed Palette from Urban Decay, which contains a bronzer, highlighter, and blush. I think you can hit all the bases with this product, and if you look at Gaga's face here, you can see the bronzer, blush, and highlight going up her cheek in order. Glowy and gorgeous.
For the eyes, I've chosen three colors that I think you can accomplish the whole look with. For a base, use Kitten by Stila, a shimmery, pinky champagne. In the outer corners, go for Swiss Chocolate by MAC, and then apply a bit of Espresso by MAC, a slightly darker brown. You'll obviously want to do that graphic cat eye, and make sure the line almost connects to your brow. Keep the brows natural and light.
For the lips, I'm suggesting a lipstick from Maybelline from their Color Sensational The Buffs collection in Nude Lust. It's a slightly pinky nude. I really love this line of drugstore lipsticks, too. Great color payoff and wearability for the price.
Product Round-up:
Face
Urban Decay Naked Flushed Blush Palette
Eyes
Stila Shadow Pan Compact in Kitten
MAC Eye Shadow in Swiss Chocolate
MAC Eye Shadow in Espresso
Lips
Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs Lipstick in Nude Lust

Venus (2013)

This is one of my all time favorite looks from Gaga. She only toys with it in videos, and it was mostly used for performances and public appearances promoting Artpop. This is her "Venus" character, where she strives to look like a Roman goddess, wearing a seashell bikini. The look is inspired by Sandro Botticelli painting "The Birth of Venus", which was used surrounding the album release. This look is natural, ethereal, and really showcases Gaga's natural beauty. And it can showcase yours too!
Since this look is mostly "nude" I'm going to suggest colors that are true to the ones Gaga is wearing, and suit hers and similar skin tones. If you're a darker beauty, you will want to seek out darker colors that will be "nude" on you. These colors might look lovely on you, but will not appear nude or natural, as they will probably be too light.
For the face, I'm suggesting the Bobbi Brown Blush in Nude Peach. Apply this lightly after contouring the cheeks.
For the eyes, try the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder to fill your brows in with a natural shape. Keep it nude, keep it light. On your lids, apply a peach color like Beaches and Cream from Makeup Geek, and then darken your crease with a light matte brown like MAC's Wedge. You can use the light brown delicately under your eyes as well. Use only a mascara, as false eyelashes will be too intense for this look.
For the lips, I'm recommending Freckletone from MAC, which is a peachy nude. Everything about this look is nude and peachy, so shoot for that in the lip color.
Now you're ready to steal some hearts, even if you have to enlist Cupid's help.
Product Round-up:
Face
Bobbi Brown Blush in Nude Peach
Eyes
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pan in Beaches and Cream
MAC Eye Shadow in Wedge
Lips
MAC Lipstick in Freckletone

Cheek to Cheek (2014)

The last look I'm doing is from Cheek to Cheek, the 2014 jazz album Gaga released with Tony Bennett. There aren't official videos for these songs, so I focused on the look from the album cover, and looks she's worn in public appearances and performances. This basically looks like Cher in the 80s, but that's another story.
For the face, you'll want to get a sultry, bronzed look. I don't wear much bronzer myself, but I really like the Cocoa Powder Bronzer from Too Faced for when I do. Highlight your cheekbones, chin, nose, and forehead with High Beam from Benefit to get a dewy glow. Finally, I'm suggesting the famous Orgasm Blush by NARS, but there are a lot of great dupes out there if the price is too steep for you.
Her eyebrows are really dark here, so I'm suggesting the Dipbrow Pomade from Anastasia Beverly Hills to create a sleek, painted eyebrow. Her eyes are done in a variety of nudes, all of which I believe can be found in the Urban Decay original Naked Palette.
Lastly, for lips. I'm recommending another Maybelline lipstick here (they have a really excellent variety of nudes), in Warm Latte, a brown-ish, pink-ish color. It looks to me just like the one she's wearing on the cover!
Product Round-up:
Face
Too Faced Cocoa Powder
Benefit High Beam
NARS Blush in Orgasm
Eyes
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Lips
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Warm Latte

Well, it's been quite a ride, folks! Gaga has had soooo many looks it was hard to even restrict it to these ten. I might make another post in the future focusing on her iconic public appearance looks. I hope you try some of these out! Let me know which Gaga look is your favorite. Is it one of these, or something else? I'll try to address it in the future if you let me know you'd like to see it. Thanks so much raspberries!