Photographic Evidence That Lady Gaga Is Having a Major Beauty Moment

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I have been a fan of Lady Gaga since she released "Just Dance" in 2008. From that first single, it was clear to me that she was more than just your run-of-the-mill pop star: Lady Gaga is a true talent. She writes her own music and plays piano like a virtuoso. She has serious vocal chops that I envy (and I graduated with an opera degree!). Not only are the range and power of her voice phenomenal, but she also has the breath control to dance to choreographed moves while singing live . . . for several consecutive hours during her concerts. This is no small feat.

But I didn't join Gaga's legion of Little Monsters because of her credibility as a musician. It was her willingness to aggressively experiment with beauty. Her ever-changing wigs, wild nail art, and boundary-pushing makeup inspired me to take risks with my own look. In fact, during my senior year of college, I visited a beauty supply store, purchased a weft of hair extensions that matched my own strands, and wove it into a bow so I could channel her for Halloween.

Something changed, however, as Gaga began working on Artpop. Her edgy beauty looks didn't hit the same high notes that they once had, and it seemed like she hit a style slump. But after the release of her highly successful duet album with Tony Bennett, Cheek to Cheek, little glimpses of the dramatic Gaga I fell in love with started to resurface. Glitter shadow, lace-front wigs, and long talons returned to her beauty routine.

After seeing her empowering performance at the 2016 Oscars, I can say that Lady Gaga is living — and seems to be loving — through a beauty renaissance. I think she has always been secure in her talent, but it feels like now she is truly confident in who she is, through and through. As her fans grow up with her, self-acceptance is an important lesson for them to learn.

A strong self-esteem shines brightly through any beauty style, but when it comes to Gaga, confidence makes her daring looks even more dynamic. Read on for photo evidence and to get tips on how to DIY Gaga's greatest hair and makeup creations.

Lady Gaga at the 2016 Golden Globes
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Lady Gaga at the 2016 Golden Globes

There's no denying the vintage element to this sophisticated look Lady Gaga wore to the 2016 Golden Globes. However, it's the bold brows and liner paired with her platinum bob that balanced this beauty style, as well as keeping it decidedly modern.

Makeup artist Sarah Tanno used a blend of Giorgio Armani Eye and Brow Maestro ($35) shades 2 and 5 to create this custom arch hue. Try taking your brows four shades darker like Gaga did (instead of the standard two) to turn heads!

Lady Gaga at the 2016 Oscars Nominees Luncheon
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Lady Gaga at the 2016 Oscars Nominees Luncheon

While this look is ultrapolished and chic, it still has a dose of Gaga edge thanks to that coiled section of hair. It almost functions as a fascinator!

If you want to re-create this yourself, prime dry strands with a hefty dose of strong-hold hair spray like Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hairspray ($30). Take a one-inch section of hair, then, using a wide-barreled curling iron like T3's Bodywaver Curling Iron ($149), clamp the tips of your strands and wind your hair around the wand until the tool is level with your jawline. Release the curl, then as it sets, lightly tug the section of hair to stretch the ringlet to a wave. Spritz with more hair spray, then repeat on your whole head.

Finish by taking the piece of hair closest to your face and arranging it in a stylized coil upon your head. Fasten with bobby pins and an extra dose of hair spray.

Lady Gaga at the 2016 Super Bowl
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Lady Gaga at the 2016 Super Bowl

Who can deny the star power of the sparkling "ruby slipper" shadow Gaga rocked at the Super Bowl? To create this look, Sarah Tanno blended MAC Cosmetics Mixing Medium Shine ($22) with glitter and spackled it onto the singer's lids. You can do this with any shade of glitter you fancy to get interstellar eyes!

Lady Gaga at the Fall 2016 Saint Laurent Show
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Lady Gaga at the Fall 2016 Saint Laurent Show

Though we were really impressed by how Gaga managed to inadvertently twin with Justin Bieber, the two standout characteristics of this look are her bleached brows and chiseled cheekbones. We don't advise that you alter your brows on your own, but getting this flawless contour yourself is easy. Just follow these tips from our handy guide.

Lady Gaga at the 2016 Grammys
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Lady Gaga at the 2016 Grammys

Look closely — that isn't a darker blue shadow contouring Gaga's eyelids. At the 2016 Grammys, she wore carefully placed crystals as part of her David Bowie-inspired beauty look. Believe it or not, this is supersimple to DIY. Just use false eyelash glue — we like Japonesque Velvet Touch Lash Adhesive ($8) — to stick on rhinestones of various sizes (snag these at a craft supply store). At the end of the night, remove them with an oil-based cleanser like Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil ($42).

Lady Gaga in the New York Fashion Week Fall 2016 Marc Jacobs Show
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Lady Gaga in the New York Fashion Week Fall 2016 Marc Jacobs Show

Surprise! Lady Gaga stepped out onto the catwalk during the Fall 2016 Marc Jacobs show (along with Kendall Jenner). Instead of a black lipstick, get this gothic pucker using eye makeup — just like Francois Nars's team did backstage. Copy it exactly using Nars Black Moon Eyeliner ($23) to line your lips, then fill it in with Nars Velvet Shadow Stick in Flibuste ($28).

Lady Gaga at the 2016 Oscars
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Lady Gaga at the 2016 Oscars

The ultrachic look Lady Gaga wore to the 2016 Academy Awards was pure, unadulterated retro glamour. Stylist Frederic Aspiras primed her hair with Pai-Shau Design Ritual Royal Abundance Mousse ($27) before blowing it out. After setting her hair in pin curls using the GHD Curve Classic Curl Iron ($199) and letting them cool, he brushed them into a glossy wave with a Mason Pearson tool ($105) to create this vintage style.