Look: Lady Gaga Bad Romance Makeup Inspiration

I was watching Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance Music Video yesterday, and I felt a little inspired by the bold makeup she’s wearing around the four minute mark. At first, I thought she was wearing this look while dancing a bit, but I think the looks are different–the one she wears while dancing (also around the four minute mark) seems cleaner, not quite as dark, though the lips seem really similar.
Anyway, this is inspired by and not so much as an exact replica. If you wanted to be more on target, I’d say to go for a slightly messier smoky eye, add a little bit of gloss to make it look wet and have a sheen, and then go for a very dramatic cheek contour. The shape of the black portion on the eye also goes up quite close to the inner brow bone and then comes down. The lashes should also be bigger and flair out more on the outer lash line.
Also, this look is actually REALLY easy. No, seriously! It’s pretty much any cream black base all over the lid. I used the same technique I did back in 2007 to create this black smoky eye tutorial. The lashes took me infinitely longer and still didn’t adhere correctly–but it was good enough to fake it in photos (and my eyes were burning from upper lash line irritation, so it was a hurry-up-and-finish situation).
You will need the following…
- Eyes: Blacktrack fluidline (black), Carbon eyeshadow (matte black), Vex eyeshadow (duochrome white-purple), Bisque eyeshadow (matte highlighter), Feline kohl power (black), false eyelashes (anything big and dramatic), Zoom Fast Black Mascara (black)
- Cheeks: Sculpt sculpting powder (dark shadow), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
- Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (#140)
- Lips: Red No. 5 lipstick (deep red), Violetta lipstick (bright purple), Vino lip pencil (dark red)
- Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
- Substitutes: Red No. 5 = New York Apple
Directions: Apply Blacktrack fluidline all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, pack Carbon eyeshadow on all over the lid. Using the 226 brush, lightly blend the crease with Vex eyeshadow. Sweep Bisque eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Feline Kohl Power on lower lash line, and apply false lashes to upper lash line, then lightly apply Zoom Fast Black mascara on lashes. Sweep hollows of cheeks with Sculpt sculpting powder using the 168, then highlight with Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer with the 165. Apply Red No. 5 lipstick to lips, and then top with Violetta for color and shine.
Check out more photos!









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u absolutly look sexy with smokey dark eyes makeup!! ohh nd wat did u use on ur brows? it looks different!
Thank you! Just Espresso eyeshadow!
Amazing!!! Love how you only used 3 eyeshadows to create such a sophisticated look!
Thanks so much, Blusherine!
The eyes are soooooo gorgeous!!! Love love love it!!!! Did anyone tell you that you look like Vanessa from Gossip Girl?
I think this would be super beautiful with a subtle nude lip also…
Nope, nobody’s told me that, though I’m going to have to go Google and find out who that is, LOL.
Thank you!
wow! what a pretty look! luv the pairing with the red lipstick. not a look that i would be able to pull off myself, but it definitely looks awesome on you! keep up the great work!
Thanks a lot, Grace
WOW you look really amazing!!
Thank you, Marissa!
I love this, looks great on you!
Thanks a lot, Suzanne!
god,that’s stunning! =D
Thanks, Miss Anna!
Must say “WOW!!!!,Fabulous”
Thank you, Euphoria!
Using a black base is definitely the key to an intense smokey eye look. Great makeup!
Thanks, Chiara!
I’m singing this comment (you have to know that, otherwise it doesn’t look like much – Just make up your own tune): I LOVE a smokey eye and THAT LOOK ROOOOOOCKS!
Seriously! Dark and sexy! Way to go!
Dusty
LOL!
Thanks a lot, Dusty
I was hoping you’d like it!
The white purple duochrome around the edges of the black is amazing.
This look is effing GORGEOUS.
Thanks a lot, J!
So So Pretty! I recreated this look this morning and I dont have vex e/s so i used seedy pearl e/s instead and sort of got the same effect as you…and I used myth lipstick….what can you wear with myth to not look so dead? That color washes me out….
Thanks so much, Cathy!
You could layer it with a warmer (like a coral) or a pinker gloss to add a little more color but still keep it nude.
I love this look on you and it is quite different to what you usually do! Perfect for the winter here in the UK!!
Thanks so much, Lucinda!
You look gorgeous with your makeup a little dark light that. I also have dark features, and heavier applications look better on me. Good job.
Thanks a lot
I love this on you! I need to find an occasion to try this out!
Thanks, Christina! Around the house
Oh my god, this looks amazing!!!!!
Thank you so much, Sandra!
Very stunning it almost looks like you used punk where it fades out..
Nope, just Vex! Thank you!
LOVE IT!!! especially the lips….i am going to immediately be going out and getting those three products….can you tell me how/where you applied each thing for your lips?
thanks!
Thank you so much, Marisa!
I applied the liner around my lips (to line), then put the red on top, then layered the purple shade on top.
Christine this is sooooooooo gorgeous!! I am now going through my make up kit to see what similar colors I have. I am very biased as I only use MAC and Make Up Forever so I am hoping that I will find something similar in those brands….wow girl! It is really lovely…Hmmm…gonna try it this weekend:)
Thank you so much, Natasha!
I used all MAC on the eyes…
hey!! I’m from Thailand, really love this looks. It’s so awesome and sexy. By the way, what brand is lipstick no.5 is? Right now, I’m finding a good deep red lipstick. Do u have any recommendation?
Thanks, Packie! It’s by MAC, but it’s discontinued. You could try Dubonnet by MAC
I had to respond. This look is GORGEOUS on you and you did an incredible job. Great work girl!
Yay! Thank you so much for letting me know, Jacquii!
OMG!!! so intense… so pretty!!! you look awesome and did a great job!!!
Christine, keep inspiring us!!!
Thank you, Luisafer!
what did the boyfriend think?
He’s always liked the really black smoky eye, but he has no love with red lips!
Ohh..so this is what hottie looks like…lol. Love it Christine. I really want this look now.
Thank you, VJNS!
your lip color so perfect! love it
Thanks, Gracie!
oops….just noticed that it DID show up before! sorry!
where is red no.5 from?
It’s an old lipstick from MAC from 2005.
Def my kind of smoky eyeélook!!!
Great job!
Love it! Will be adding Vex to my smokey eye looks!
Thank you so much!
Wow! your best look yet!
Thanks, Ricci!
This is insanely perfect!
Thanks so much, Rebecca!
I LOVE this look! It’s absolutely stunning. I’m definitely going to try it. I just watched the Bad Romance video, and I’m amazed by all of the makeup looks and use of costumes. It was very creative. I thought the part where Lady Gaga had minimal makeup, mostly mascara and tears running down her face was gorgeous.
Thank you so much, Jill!
Glad you liked the video, too!
Love the video. Love this look!
Thank you, Carrie!
Your eye color is SICK… love it!
Thanks, Chennel!
Awesome, I simply love this look. Pertrilude did a look similar as well. Sorry for the misspells if any.
Thanks, Lis!
Wow!!! This is my fave look from you. The smokey eye makeup is sooo flattering on you and the lips are to die for. You look gorgeous
Thanks so much, Rose!
That lip is amazing, very vampy!!! And after seeing this, I definitely want to be bisque as a highlight, I’ve been looking for something matte. Gorgeous job!
Thanks so much, Ali!
Sorry if you already metioned this, but what brand is the violetta and the lipstick? I loveee this look. i wish i was so daring! in a weird way, it’s sort of elegant.
MAC!
One question, how do you do the outter corner? Usually the shape is pointed, or in this case, more of an oval shape. i am very very new to shadow, and i have no clue how to do those shapes on the outter corner. i try, but they dont seem to come out right. any advice? Thank you!
Hi Brittany,
It’s mostly just practice, to be honest. It’s experimenting, practicing, and just learning from all of that
I like to follow the curve of my crease as a guide.
I’m totally going to wear this soon! Thanks!
Awesome, Vijaya!
Holy cow, girl! You look like a goth angelina! Totally dangerous, LOVE IT!
Thanks, Linda!
what brand is the red.no 5 lipstick that u used? was it chanel? tnx
Hi Dre,
I’ve replied to your question three or four times – are you not seeing the replies? Please let me know if there’s something going on!
It’s by MAC, and it was a limited edition shade that’s no longer available – sorry!
i love this look!
Thanks, Stephanie!
I had passed this post when you posted. You look vampy here. Every time I’ve played the video I’m doing my makeup so not paying attention to her look but I’ll have to actually watch it. I like the gothic feel. Was it the lashes that hurt your eye afterwards?
I think it was both the fluidline and the lashes (my eyes always tend to react a bit to anything on the upper lash line)!
My God, that is a stunning look for you! Thx for the tut!
Thank you, Melissa!
That looks REALLY, REALLY pretty on you! You could totally wear that to dinner!
Thanks, Emily!
You look Amazing Christine I love this Sultry look on you BTW your eyes are to die for
oxox Melinda
Thanks, Melinda
Your coloring is much different than Lady Gaga’s but I’ll have to say that this look is absolutely stunning on you. Wow!!! Beautiful job. I’d like to see that makeup look she’s wearing when she’s walking towards the Russian “john” (or whatever that hot dude is supposed to be) wearing the “polar bear” coat. Overall, I think the makeup at least the bolder looks are very 80s inspired. When she’s dancing wearing the red outfit, she looks like a young Joan Rivers (pre plastic surgery!!!) to me.
Thank you so much, Angela
just wow
i love it
the lashes are so great
and your lips look amazing
Aw, thanks a lot, Steffi!
OMG, you look sooooooooooooooooooooo freakin’ HOT, Christine!!! So freakin’ hot!!!! You’re on FIYAH here, babe. I love this look for you. Please do it more often! It suits you soooooooooo well!!!
Thank you, Sash!
I wore this look last night! My husband loved the black sexy eye! On my lips though, I used Free Love from Too Faced to balance the look. Loved it and will used again. It was the first time I did a black eye look that looked right and not like a little girl playing w/ her mom’s shadows. Thanks Christine!
Aww, awesome! I’m so glad he liked it
Thanks for trying it out!
My God, this is a fantastic look on you. Absolutely exquisite!
Thanks, Melissa
i want vex so bad. should’ve got it when i had the chance. do you know of any dupes?…..or where i can get it? lol
Vex is available by MAC Cosmetics – you can buy it online at maccosmetics.com, nordstrom.com, or macys.com – or locate a store near you.
oh my god i am an idiot. hahahaha. durrrrh, i had tired moment and i was thinking of vellum because its somewhat similar and it was discontinued. but i still want vex, too. haha. thanks for reminding me. =)
You look fantastic! I didn’t even notice that you got false eyelashes, I was going to ask which mascara you use
your eyes are fabolous.
Thanks so much, Derya!
you look so so so gorgeous in this.
super dark colours really suit your skintone, hair and eyes.
very vampy, very prettay!
Thanks, Sara!
Dang, this is a hot look. I envy you for being able to pull it off, because I would look like a lady of the night in dramatic make up like this!
Stunning. I love it!
Thanks so much, Hilana!
The dark black really really makes your eye color pop! I like the little hint of purplish sparkle, it adds a modern twist to the classic smoky eye. Very pretty!
Glad you liked this look!
Thanks, Megan!
u are so awsome
make ur eyes blue it will look awsome
Thanks, Adriana!
wow!
that’s SO beautiful!
Thanks, Laura!
“Lips: Red No. 5 lipstick (deep red), Violetta lipstick (bright purple), Vino lip pencil (dark red)”
Can you tell us what BRAND for these?
Everything is by MAC!
Oh, sweet mother of Mary! I love this!!! This is so me (in my head LOL)!! LOVE IT, CHRISTINE!
Thanks, Sash
By the way, do you have a tutorial on putting fake flashes on? I can’t remember.
I don’t, ’cause I SUCK at applying them
works better if u have pale skin
I totally disagree – I think anyone can rock a black smoky eye – you don’t have to have a certain skin tone to do it!
Thanks, Quinn!
You look absoloutley stunnning
Thank you, Sophia!
LOVE!!! You look soooooo pretty ;D Femme-fatale-like
Aw, thanks Aletheia!
OOh! Very Burlesque! I Love this one too!
Thank you, Shayna!!
You look so different and beautiful in this make up! Totally sexy and chic, like old Hollywood star – dark eyes&lips suits you so much! My favourite
I have very pale skin (paler than Mac foundations), blue eyes and dark-red hair, do you think it will be good also for me? Thank you
I think it could still work – it looked better on Lady Gaga than me and she’s super pale!
Will probably be trying this with MAC’s Stars n’ Rockets
Yay!
wow! your eyes really pop, you look so beautiful. you really make this look work.
Thank you, Fabiola!
i m shocked somehow, how much you can change through make-up :O
this look totally rocks, dark and mysterious and pretty strong.
Love it!
It is definitely amazing how makeup can transform your look!
You look beautiful here Christine! Like a goddess!
Thank ya, AK!
1wow!!!!!!! i’ll have to try that!
I hope you give it a try, Elena!
Wow! you wear dark colours really well!!
Thanks, Christina!
you look pretty on these colors, I think dark colors are the best that suit you!
Thank you!
Wow you look beautiful in anything don’t you?
Thanks!