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Emma Chamberlain is throwing it back to the 2000s at the 2023 Met Gala. The influencer is hosting the event on behalf of Vogue once more, and went full-on Y2K with her smokey navy eyeliner and coordinating baby blue headband and dress. Avril Lavigne would be proud of that liner!
Chamberlain was feeling the monochromatic moment with her Met Gala look, keeping the color palette consistent with sky blue eye shadow enhanced with smoked-up waterlines for maximum eye impact — and a throwback appeal that really suits the queen of Gen Z social media. The sapphire blue eyeshadow and liner almost perfectly matched Chamberlain's blue eyes. In some lights, the liner looked extra edgy and dark, and from other angles, it felt much brighter and more vibrant. Chamberlain is definitely bringing waterliner back from the ‘00s and into the 2020s, especially for her fans who weren’t around for the trend the first time! (I have fond memories of trying waterliner for the first time with an extremely dry and sharp CoverGirl pencil in a similar shade to Emma's … just saying.)
“It’s all about a nod to the legendary Karl Lagerfeld and the late 90’s with Emma’s Met Gala look," makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan explained. "Her fabulous structured Miu Miu two piece and matching headband are a bit more polished, so we wanted to compliment and balance that with deeper, more edgy makeup. We decided to go with a '90s brown lip and a rough, blue smokey eye to complete the look.”
Deenihan lined Chamberlain's waterlines with Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof in 02 Noir Intense, then blended shades from a few Lancôme palettes, including Hypnôse 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Bleu Hypnotique, Hypnôse 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Reflet D'Améthyste and Hypnôse 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette Palette in Drama Denim for the “dramatic grunge” vibe, then added layers of Monsieur Big Mascara.
Chamberlain paired the throwback eye with brushed-up, full and fluffy brows, just a touch of contour on her cheeks and a delicate, satin finish light brown lip to keep all focus on her eyes. While the dark waterliner felt very ‘00s pop punk, the baby blue shades were a fun retro-inspired element to help soften a traditional smokey eye, not to mention the ideal match for her baby blue Miu Miu cropped jacket, glimmering bodice and belted thigh-high slit skirt, worn with socks and platform shoes. It's Gen Z meets Y2K meets the retro-futuristic vibes of the ‘60s.
Chamberlain wore her dark brunette hair parted in the middle and down her back with soft movement, anchored in place by the puffy headband. She wore a handful of diamond earrings laddered up each for extra sparkle. Stylist Sami Knight created the Carla Bruni-inspired style with three colors of Luxy Hair extensions, then used the Hairitage Curl Envy Curling Iron to add just a hint of movement at Chamberlain's ends.
This isn't Chamberlain's first go at the Gala; she's attended a few different events, including hosting for Vogue in 2022; for her first hosting gig, she rocked a platinum blonde bob, gilded gold shadow and even a tiara! Chamberlain clearly loves a good statement-making eye and headpiece.
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