Picking the right dress for the Emmys is just half the battle. In order to win the red carpet game, celebrities have to also excel in the beauty arena. So, who had the best hair and makeup at the 2013 Emmys, held on Sept. 22 in L.A.? Here are Us Weekly Beauty Director Gwen Flamberg‘s top beauty picks for the evening.
Best Bob: Flamberg is mad for the gorgeous bob sported by Mad Men stunner January Jones. “I loved the sculptured, marcelled waves created by mane master Renato Campora and set with Wella Professionals Stay Firm Finishing Spray,” she says. “A fresh butter-blonde with icy cool highlights heightened the Old Hollywood vibe of the look!”
Best Lips: Homeland star Claire Danes landed on many best-dressed lists (including Us Weekly‘s) for her ethereal, pale Armani Prive gown. The dress was gorgeous, but with her fair skin and light hair hue, she could have easily looked washed out. Thank goodness the actress brightened up the look with a swipe of bright lipstick. “A tomato-red applied by Danes’ longtime makeup pro Matin played so well off her blush gown, but the best part of her pout was the semi-matte, stained texture — it made her skin look extra creamy and luminous,” gushes Flamberg.
Best Eyes: Girls‘ Lena Dunham just wants to have fun — and her beauty look (and intriguing fashion choice) proves that she’s not the type to play it safe. “For a re-invented smokey eye that suited Dunham’s irreverent personality, makeup artist Jo Strettel rimmed her eyes with a black then added a surprising pop of emerald green in the inner corners with Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Crayons,” says Flamberg.
Best Updo: Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones‘ Mother of Dragons, absolutely slayed on the red carpet and part of the reason was her incredible hair, says Flamberg. “The sleek, center-parted low bun looked fresh and really put the spotlight on Clarke’s glowing skin and goddess-inspired Donna Karan Atelier gown,” says Flamberg. “Stylist Jenny Cho used Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil before combing hair back.”
Best Beauty Trend: Kerry Washington showed off one of the most flattering beauty trends of late — monochromatic makeup in blush shades. (Anna Gunn, January Jones and Allison Williams also sported the look at the Emmys.) “As if everyone wasn’t already convinced of Washington’s gorgeousness, this updated take on natural makeup should seal the deal,” raves Flamberg. “Washington’s steady makeup artist Carola Gonzales used Lancome Blush Subtil in Sparkling Rose and Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Truth as cornerstones of the look.”
Best Beauty Overall: Rose in bloom! Rose Byrne, who debuted a lighter hair shade at the Emmys and rocked a custom Calvin Klein Collection sleeveless wrap halter top and skirt, wins Flamberg’s Best Overall Beauty award. “Makeup maven Kate Lee used rich shades of violet and chocolate by Chanel to give Byrne a perfect-for-fall face. The waves — created by hair guru Harry Josh — were glamorous but not overdone. This whole package is truly universally flattering — talk about an aspirational look!”