Whether you love to hate her or hate to love her, it's undeniable that Taylor Swift is a beauty icon in her own right. Her ever-changing look includes a bevy of styles, including a red lip, winged liner, and so many different hair color options. We love how she manages to continually surprise us with her beauty choices – Taylor's come a long way from her "Teardrops on My Guitar" days of naturally blonde, curly locks.
Somehow, Taylor manages to stay looking polished while dropping singles, revving up for a new album, and keeping tabs on old celebrity feuds. Regardless of your personal thoughts on the woman who just reclaimed being called a "snake," you have to admit that it's easy to have a style crush on Taylor. If you look to her for inspiration, keep reading to learn the eight steps you can take to copy Taylor's undeniable beauty swagger.
1When in Doubt, Go Bold
Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill
Taylor wears red lipstick on stage. We've spotted her in the shade at the beach. She rocks goth black on the red carpet. She even sports crimson lips while out to brunch with girlfriends. The only place we've never seen Taylor wearing her signature shade is leaving the gym (oh wait, she wore it then, too). The lesson here is: there is no place a powerful pout isn't appropriate. Try Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Lipstick ($32).
We're going to put those silly rumors to rest right now. Curly girls can wear fringe, and Taylor is proof. It gets a little tricky, but the key to pulling it off is all in the texture (and the cut). Taylor's blunt bangs work slicked straight down or sideswept and wavy. When you take her picture into the salon to get a similar cut, make sure to ask for the brow-grazing length.
Even though Taylor is known for her simple winged eyeliner, she also trades it out for a sultry metallic smoky eye. And like a savvy beauty girl, she knows to complement her azure gaze with a simple soft pink lip and rouge cheeks. To create a similar gunmetal gaze, try Nars Shimmer Eyeshadow ($26).
For Taylor, every day is an opportunity to go retro — #TakeMeBackTuesday, #WayBackWednesday, #FlashbackFriday. She has embraced Old Hollywood beauty completely, wearing winged eyeliner and sideswept waves often. And we have to agree: sourcing your style from Grace Kelly or Marilyn Monroe will always make you look en vogue. A few retro beauty essentials: Bobbi Brown Smoky Eye Kajal Eyeliner ($24), T3 Tourmaline Hot Rollers ($119), and Nars Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl ($25).
The day Taylor debuted her lob haircut, she also started to try more daring makeup looks (like purple eyeliner and orange lipstick). Sometimes a change in length can open the door to an edgier, chicer "you," who has been buried under those extralong locks. Plus, Taylor's cut started a whole hair trend in Hollywood: the wob (wavy lob).
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7A Signature Look Is More Like a Guideline, Not Law
Taylor Swift and red lipstick are like peanut butter and jelly. But have you ever tried a peanut butter and banana sandwich? Taylor has. She's not afraid to stray from her classic look for something different. Occasionally, Taylor swaps her waves for straight strands or switches her crimson lip for a nude or hot pink hue. You know what they say: variety is the spice of life.
Curly girls know that styling is a daily battle that is usually won by frizz. However, Taylor often works with her curly texture to get those bouncy ringlets we all envy. Even when she wears an updo, you can see her natural curl incorporated into the look. If your spirals are misbehaving, you can use a small curling iron ($99) to perfect the coils right around your face.