The 72nd Emmy Awards, held last week, looked very different to what we’ve seen in previous years. Taking on a virtual format in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the new “socially distanced awards show normal” may have lacked the frenzy of red-carpet arrivals, attention-seeking paparazzi and standing ovations, but it didn’t stop some of our favourite thespians from getting dolled up for the night.
Zendaya
The Euphoria star made history by being the youngest and second black actress to receive the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award. Zendaya is no stranger to pulling out all the stops when it comes to red-carpet looks but this year she looked like a seasoned winner. Sporting elegant yet playful dresses by Giorgio Armani and Christopher John Rogers, her beauty look referenced the 1960s Mod era with a negative-space graphic liner smudged into the crease of her eyes paired with a fully lined winged top and bottom lash line, glossy tinted lips and an effortlessly tousled up-do which channelled Brigitte Bardot.
Regina King
Another award winner on the night, for her performance in Watchmen, King may have accepted her award in a bright-pink blazer paired with a Breonna Taylor slogan T-shirt, but we had our eyes fixed on the glam look she served us for the virtual red carpet. Wearing a bold, blue voluminous piece by designer Schiaparelli; we couldn’t help noticing the hint of blue shadow peeking through her lashes. We loved the way this look still made her makeup look pared down. It was all about glowing skin but the blue eyeshadow framing her lash line deserved its own award.
Yara Shahidi
Yara always gives us a fresh-faced Hollywood starlet look at any red-carpet event she’s spotted at and we loved her super-clean, second-skin complexion created by makeup artist Emily Cheng. It was the subtle accents that brought this look together; the blacker-than-black winged liner, subtle glint of gloss on the lids and lips and perfectly arched, groomed brows. She also proved that cornrows needn’t be boring with her braided hairstyle that incorporated tiny thread wrapped strands styled as wavy baby hairs.
Yvonne Orji
The Insecure star chose to sport a beauty look that was both elegantly sultry and a statement of protest, making fans proud of her decision to pair a deep-burgundy lip that matched her dress perfectly with a short, Afro-textured cut. She displayed serious boss moves by having the fist logo of the Black Lives Matter movement trimmed into the side of her head by barber Mickey West-Potts.
H.E.R
Hold onto all your Euphoria-influenced rhinestones for a little while longer. Musician H.E.R served a sleeker-than-sleek braided ponytail for her Emmy’s performance created by hairstylist Nina Monique. The long braid and meticulously waved baby hairs looked great but it was the smattering of crystal-like rhinestones that gave the look its edge. It's inspiration to replace your embellished statement hair clips in favour of stick-on rhinestones and pearls.
