VMAs: Get the look

For an easy take on modern beauty check out the hair and makeup looks and how tos from the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. The big night on the New Zealand entertainment calendar is an anything goes affair, but getting more dressed-up by the year.

Viva gets ahead of the red carpet coverage by checking out the look of presenter Shannon Ryan and her offsiders, while we all wait to see what Lorde will take to the stage wearing to collect her inevitable award or two.

Hair for Redken by Zoe Clark, a stylist at Dry & Tea, featured gentle waves and makeup for Smashbox by Sam Hart gave smokey-eyed glam a makeover with subtle metallic details.

USHER ENVY

To get the beachy wave and fresh sheen of the ushers, follow the advice of the expert artists.

Face: Prepare a perfect canvas with Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer used all over for a dewy effect.

Then apply Liquid Halo HD Foundation with a brush for a natural coverage. Conceal under the eyes and through the centre of the face with BB Cream for Eyes Concealer. Apply Photo Finish 24-Hour Shadow Primer over the eyelid and powder face just where needed with Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder. Apply Brow Tech To Go then brush the gel through to seal brows in place.

Colour: Using Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Shadow Palette, apply matte gold shadow over the eyelid, define outer corners with metallic gold, extended to the brow bone. Set it off with Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Deep Black. Finish with Full Exposure Mascara on top and bottom lashes. Contour under the cheekbones, then use Blush Rush in Radiance and finish with Halo Highlighting Wand in Pearl. On the lips, use Always Sharp Lip Liner in Fuchsia, topped with Be Legendary Lip Lacquer in Calypso.

Hair: To achieve this beach wave with a flat crown follow these steps.

1. Prepare the hair by applying Redken Fabricate 03 all over and then drying off. Repeat this process.
2. Create a wave through the hair using a straightening iron, applying Iron Shape to each section to hold the wave.
3. To create a beach wave texture through the hair apply some Powder Grip 03 through the mid-lengths to ends. 
4. Break and loosen up the wave with your fingers before lightly misting Signature Look Fashion Waves 07.
5. Optional: for a runway look, slick down the hair at the roots with some Redken for Men Grip Tight Holding Gel.

"For Shannon's hair look we channelled effortless elegance with a beautiful wave to transfer her from red carpet to on-stage," said Redken artist Zoe Clark. "This versatile base was transformed into three different looks to make sure her hair complemented her styling throughout the night."

Makeup included a navy blue liner, for an unexpected shade with impact.

Hair: 
First look: Elegant Wave
Shannon's redcarpet look detailed below was also the base for the following two looks worn on stage.

1. Prepare the hair by spraying Redken Fabricate03 all over, and then dry it off.
2. Brush and section the hair, applying Iron Shape to each section, and use a curling wand to curl the hair. Leave 2cm at the ends uncurled. Tip: when curling the hair, position the wand in an upwards direction.
3. To get a sleek wavy look, use a small amount of Two Smooth 03 in your hands and take through the wave with your fingers.
4. For more texture you can add Powder Grip 03 at the roots, and Windblown 05 through the lengths.
5. For maximum hold, finish with Control Addict 28 hairspray.

Second look: Top Knot
1. Your base is already created with the wave, so simply take a section from the temple to the crown and back comb it a little.
2. Pull the hair back with your fingers so it doesn't look perfect. 
3. Tie in a looped knot on top of the head.
4. Finish with Control Addict 28 hairspray.

Look three: Side Sweep
1. Using your existing wave, tip your head upside down and brush out your hair with your fingers.
2. Push the hair over to one side, and then finish with Redken Quick Dry 18.

Face: Prepare the perfect canvas as with the usher look, although for Shannon makeup artist Sam Hart switched to High Definition Liquid Concealer rather than BB concealer and skipped the lid primer. Powder was kept to the T-zone to ensure skin had a dewy finish.

Colour: Take The Smashbox On The Rocks Eye Shadow Luxe Palette, wet your liner brush and apply metallic navy along upper lash line. If you prefer a pencil use the Santigold Double-Ended Limitless Liner in Azurite is Never Wrong/El Dorado along the upper lash line. Then apply metallic pearl shadow to the inner corners of the eye. Finish off with Full Exposure Mascara for top and bottom lashes. On cheeks use Step by Step Contour Palette to shape, then finish off with Halo Highlighting Wand in Warm Glow. The chosen lip colour was Be Legendary Lip Lacquer in Off Duty.