Each year, celebrities grace the Emmys 2024 red carpet, showcasing the latest fashion and beauty trends, and the 2024 edition was no different. This year’s major beauty movement? Dark feminine energy, a style embraced by stars like Quinta Brunson, Mindy Kaling, Laverne Cox, Ella Purnell, and Christine Baranski. The night saw these talented women sporting either smoky eyes, bold plummy lips, or in some cases, both. The result? A masterclass in seductive red carpet glam.
So, what led to this moody shift in beauty trends? Michelle Clark, senior makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics, suggests it’s about bringing harmony to the beauty world.
“We’ve seen an uptick over the past year in coquette, strawberry, sugarplum fairy, and clean-girl makeup trends,” Clark shared with Saver Junction. “All of these looks tend to include shades of pink, glowing skin, and an ultra-feminine softness. Now, we’re seeing a need to express the duality of femininity—acknowledging that there is both light and darkness in all things.” As Libra season ushers in fall, this balance feels especially timely.
As for the hairstyles? Cropped haircuts were everywhere. Quinta Brunson, Rita Ora, and Viola Davis stunned with chic pixie cuts, while Naomi Watts, Hannah Einbinder, Kristen Wiig, Catherine O’Hara, Maya Rudolph, and Carrie Coon opted for stylish bobs and lobs, solidifying short hair and sleek hairstyles as the statement look of the night.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most striking beauty moments from television’s biggest night. Consider this your next beauty inspo gallery.
Ella Purnell
Ella Purnell from Fallout made a dazzling statement with her plum lipstick and voluminous disco curls, proving that maximalism is a natural fit for the red carpet.
Sofia Vergara
If anyone can embody va-va-voom on the red carpet, it’s Sofia Vergara. Her hairstylist, Renato Campora, nailed the brief.
“Her red Dolce & Gabbana dress was all flow and femininity, so we complemented it with soft brushed-out waves,” Campora explained. “A side part tucked behind the ear opened up part of her face for a classic yet modern look.” To achieve the Old Hollywood-inspired look, Campora prepped Vergara’s hair using Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Upload Volume Cream and OSiS+ Volume Up, added OSiS+ Soft Dust for extra volume, and curled the ends with a 1.5-inch curling iron.
Mindy Kaling also embraced the plum lips trend, pairing it with a sleek, middle-parted hairstyle and a stunning off-the-shoulder black gown.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts’s flawless bob came courtesy of celebrity stylist Robert Vetica, who used a mix of Varis styling tools and Kerasilk products to achieve the perfect smooth blowout and soft curls.
Quinta Brunson
Quinta Brunson rocked a deep, sleek side-parted bob reminiscent of Old Hollywood. Her hairstylist, Alexander Armand, used Maui Moisture products to prep her hair before styling it with Olivia Garden tools for a modern twist on a classic look.
“We wanted to frame her face with soft, edgy crescent-shaped curls along her cheekbones,” Armand shared.
Jennifer Aniston
Known for her signature hair, Jennifer Aniston kept it classic with a “California sleek” blowout, crafted by celebrity stylist Chris McMillan. Using her LolaVie haircare range, McMillan achieved an effortlessly smooth and shiny hair look.
Ayo Edebiri
Makeup artist Ernesto Casillas created Ayo Edebiri’s breathtaking dark feminine glam using Charlotte Tilbury products. The focus was on the eyes, with a small flick of eyeliner to complement her Bottega gown’s shine, while her complexion was brought to life with the iconic Pillow Talk products.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez embodied “effortless elegance” with a sleek and glossy hairstyle, courtesy of Marissa Marino. Inspired by Gomez’s Ralph Lauren gown, Marino used Fekkai products to create smooth, shiny and elegant waves that radiated sophistication through her glossy hair.
Laverne Cox
Smoky eyes and plum lips defined Laverne Cox’s bold dark feminine look. The side-parted layers added the perfect touch to an already stunning ensemble.
Christine Baranski
Christine Baranski, nominated for The Gilded Age, opted for burgundy lips to match her gold gown. Makeup artist Gianpaolo Ceciliato prepped Baranski’s skin using G.M. Collin Diamond products, ensuring hydration and a luminous finish before applying the bold burgundy lipstick.
Lily Gladstone
Lily Gladstone sported a “power ponytail” created by Marc Mena using extensions from Great Lengths. Her Indigenous haircare products from Sister Sky added the perfect touch to her sleek, powerful look.
Gillian Jacobs
Stylist Clariss Rubenstein gave Gillian Jacobs Old Hollywood waves with a modern twist. Using Nexxus products, she achieved soft, flowing curls that paired perfectly with Jacobs’s red gown.
Ilona Maher
Walking her first Emmys red carpet, Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher stuck to her signature red lipstick, which she proudly uses as a symbol of empowerment. Her glam look was completed with a side-parted updo.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph stunned in a perfect ponytail and flawless makeup, proving that great glam doesn’t have to break the bank. Her entire look was achieved with affordable drugstore products like i-Envy lashes and Ruby Kisses Lip Oil.
Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig’s glowing complexion and luminous glam were crafted by makeup artist Jo Baker, using Dior products to create a polished yet natural look that emphasized her classic beauty.
Aja Naomi King
For Aja Naomi King, makeup artist Diana Shin focused on a bronzed complexion. King’s stunning eyes were highlighted with a winged liner and volumizing mascara, while a nude pink lip completed the look.
Brie Larson
Celebrity makeup artist Nina Park used Chanel products to channel a timeless Catherine Deneuve-inspired look for Brie Larson. Her sculpted cheekbones and fluttery lashes were the hallmarks of her Old Hollywood glam.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Da’Vine Joy Randolph turned heads with her sultry smoky eye, rosy cheeks, and glossy nude lips, leaving everyone in awe of her beauty.
Reese Witherspoon
Styled by Lona Vigi, Reese Witherspoon’s sleek bun was inspired by Grace Kelly, blending classic and contemporary styles. Makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan kept Witherspoon’s eyes as the focal point, adding depth with bronze shadows while maintaining soft, glowing skin.
Hannah Einbinder
The Hacks star, Hannah Einbinder, showcased another bob haircut that turned heads on the Emmys red carpet, continuing the short-hair trend.
Carrie Coon
Carrie Coon stunned with her sleek bob, glowing skin, and a dramatic smoky eye. Makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo ensured her complexion was radiant with G.M. Collin’s Diamond line, focusing on hydration and puffiness reduction to perfect the look.
Sarah Paulson
With a haircut that was part pixie, part bob, Sarah Paulson paired her bold red lipstick with the short crop, offering a playful yet sophisticated edge to her overall style.
Catherine O’Hara
Catherine O’Hara rocked a long bob, showing that short hair continues to dominate the season’s trends, while maintaining her iconic charm.
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph went for a laid-back, undone bob that still exuded cool-girl vibes, making a statement with her simple yet striking hairstyle.
Viola Davis
Celebrity makeup artist Sergio Lopez-Rivera gave Viola Davis a radiant look, using L’Oréal Paris products to emphasize her glowing skin and finishing the look with a classic matte red lip to complement her black-and-white gown.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora sported an effortlessly chic pixie cut with understated makeup, keeping the look flawless and modern. Her glam team, using Charlotte Tilbury products, achieved a soft, glowing complexion that let her natural beauty shine through.
