If you tuned in to the VMAs last night, you probably have lingering thoughts on the show as a whole. Maybe you’re giving your co-workers who didn’t watch the CliffNotes, touching on the host and his sad one-liners, Camila Cabello ‘s sensual "Señorita" performance with Shawn Mendes, and Lizzo’s beehive hairdo that stole the red carpet.
In fact, if the topic turns to the glam — hair, makeup, manicures, and the like — you can surprise everyone when you tell them that most of the night’s biggest stars actually wore cheap beauty products, like nail polish, hairspray, and eyeshadow palettes you’d find at the drugstore.
From Camila Cabello’s French manicure courtesy of Essie Marshmallow, to Gigi Hadid ‘s date-night look made possible by an $11 Maybelline eyeshadow palette, scroll through for the best VMAs looks — and the Target and Walmart buys that made them happen.
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Cardi B
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
OPI Gel Color in Dazzling Dew Drop
Nail artist Jenny Bui used OPI’s Gel Color polish in the shade Dazzling Dew Drop to give Cardi’s long nails a golden glint that rivaled her Moon Person.
OPI OPI Nail Lacquer in Dazzling Dew Drop, $10.5, available at Amazon
Megan Thee Stallion
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Define & Shine Gel Serum
Celebrity stylist Alonzo Arnold wanted Megan Thee Stallion ‘s hair to be long and bone-straight so she could "whip it over her shoulder at any moment," he says. To give the hair hold and shape without flyaways, he used Suave’s Define & Shine Gel Serum, which is designed specifically for natural hair, running it through the ends before flat ironing.
Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Define & Shine Gel Serum, $4.99, available at Walmart
Adriana Lima
Photo: Jim Spellman/FilmMagic.
Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray
Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons gave model Adriana Lima a sexy wet look, which actually required some heat to keep shape. "Although most of the products I use in my kit have heat protection in them, I like to use a separate heat protection product before using heat tools," he explains. "So I prepped the hair with this Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray."
Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray 50ml, $5.99, available at Beauty Works
Normani
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.
Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Smooth & Shine Cream
For her VMAs performance of "Motivation," Normani wore her hair in a half-up half-down style, courtesy of stylist J Stay Ready. “Normani and I were so excited to recreate her ’90s throwback half-up half-down look, with curly texture and old-school flat twists," J Stay Ready says. "After making the ponytail, I brushed out the curls with a paddle brush and ran this Suave Anti-Frizz cream through the hair shaft for extra shine."
Suave Suave Professionals Anti-Frizz Cream, Sleek – 3.5 oz, $2.94, available at Walmart
Lizzo
Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
Dove Style+Care Compressed Micro Mist Extra Hold Hairspray
Hairstylist Shelby Swain partnered with Dove Hair to create Lizzo’s retro-glam Beehive. “We wanted a sultry, glam look for Lizzo," Swain explains. "Using legend Brigitte Bardot as inspo, we landed on this cheeky-but-chic retro beehive." After setting the hair in curls and teasing the crown for volume, she finished the look with Dove’s Extra-Hold hairspray so it wouldn’t fall.
Dove Compressed Micro Mist Extra Hold Hairspray, $3.49, available at Target
Camila Cabello
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow
To match her gauzy, ethereal white gown, Cabello went with a classic French manicure. Celebrity manicurist Kim Truong used two coats of Essie’s Marshmallow to get the perfect white tip.
Essie essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow, $8.78, available at Target
Gigi Hadid
Photo: Gotham/GC Images.
Maybelline The 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
As the face of Maybelline, we’re not too surprised that Gigi Hadid wore a full face of the drugstore brand’s makeup to the VMAs. Her mauve-brown lipstick is $8, highlighter $7, and her eyeshadow came from the chicest shimmery nudes palette $12 can buy.
Maybelline Maybelline The 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, $11.99, available at Ulta Beauty
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Source: Refinery29 – Megan Decker