Alright, you guys, let’s talk about one of the most unpredictable and vibrant style icons of our time: Lil Nas X. Like, seriously, have you seen this guy’s looks? His makeup game is always top-tier, with a mix of bold colors, sparkles, and pure chaos in the best way possible. If you’re even remotely into colorful, out-there makeup, the way Lil Nas X brings his A-game to a red carpet or a music video is straight-up inspiring.
So today, I’m going to spill the tea on how to recreate some of Lil Nas X’s most iconic, fun, and playful looks without needing a full glam squad or a million products (because let’s be real, we’re not all walking the Met Gala or getting a VMA award. Or… maybe we are? Manifest it, okay?!).
Embrace the Bold: Go Big or Go Home
If there’s one lesson you can take from Lil Nas X’s makeup style, it’s that bold is better. Sis never shies away from colors that pop, whether it’s neon green eyeliner, a hot pink shadow, or metallics that catch the light. So if you want to channel your inner Lil Nas X, prepare to go big or go home.
But here’s the thing: Bold doesn’t have to be complicated. My favorite way to snatch a Lil Nas X vibe effortlessly is by grabbing a single bold color for the eyes. Whether you’re chilling at home or going out, a one-color eyeshadow moment on your lids can immediately take your whole look up like ten notches.
Pro tip:
Pack on the color with your fingertip for max pigment payoff. Brushes are cute, but your finger’s heat helps blend that creamy pigment like a dream!
Recreating the Galactic Gold Vibes
One of Lil Nas X’s iconic looks (Google his ”MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” music video look ASAP) included crazy golden goddess vibes. He was giving straight-up golden god REALNESS. To snag those kind of golden, galactic vibes IRL, you don’t need to bathe yourself in gold leaf paint (but 10/10 would recommend if you’re feelin’ extra).
Steps:
1. Base Prep: Start with a dewy base. You want your skin glowing, not matte. Use a hydrating primer and go light on the foundation. Lil Nas X always keeps his skin fresh, prepped, and ready to GLOW.
- Gold Shadow: The star of this look is the eyeshadow—obviously! Grab a metallic gold shadow (something creamy will go miles here. Powder + metallics = meh). Press it onto your lids, especially focusing on the center to give that extra pop when the light hits.
- Extra Drama: Don’t just stop at gold. Throw some bronzy or copper shades into your crease if you need it to look a little more “blended,” but keep the gold front and center to channel the Montero aesthetic.
- Lashes: You already know what we’re doing here: go for WISPY or DRAMATIC lashes (depending on how extra you’re feeling). It’ll crank the drama level up to 100.
- Highlighter Overload: Lil Nas X would probably approve of highlighter EVERYWHERE—from cheekbones to the tip of your nose and inner corners of your eyes. You’re literally going for that “I’m glowing so much, I might blind you” look.
Designer Drama Eyes: Lil Nas X at the Met Gala
Lil Nas X stormed the Met Gala with a regal look in gold armor, and while the armor was the star, the makeup? Still iconic. His Met Gala makeup was all about soft yet striking vibes. Here’s a way you can copy a similar look without needing a team of MUAs.
Let’s get into it!
- Brows: It starts with brows. Lil Nas X often goes for a straight, power brow, rather than the usual trendy fluffy brow. So, sharpen those bad boys—concealer, angles, and fill them in with precision!
- Smoky Eyes: Keep it pretty classic—shades of browns, golds, or purples always work. Blend, blend, and blend some more for that depth. Even though Lil Nas X can rock a dark smoky eye, it’s about making the drama build naturally, not just plopping color onto your lids.
- Fierce Eyeliner: Now here’s where Lil Nas X flipped the script—he went for some HELLA fierce eyeliner. While his was sharp and precise, you can have fun with it depending on your mood. Not into a sharp cat-eye? Try diffusing it a bit. The vibe is what matters.
-
Glossy Lips: Yeah, glossy lips are making a comeback (shoutout to the early 2000s). To finish off those designer-ready eyes, you’re going to peep a nude or light pink glossy lip.
Neon Eyeliner Madness
Okay, real talk: Lil Nas X and neon eyeliner are BFFs. He rocks it all the time! Whether paired with a whole freakin’ costume or just dominating a photo shoot, that pop of neon lined across his eyes always seals the deal. And the best part? It’s so. easy. to copy.
Steps:
1. Grab a neon eyeliner—they’re trending HARD—and if you don’t have one, don’t worry, you can use any eyeshadow by dipping a fine liner brush in some setting spray (it works!).
- Create a classic wing or a floating liner if you’re feeling daring. Honestly, this look doesn’t need 20 layers of eyeshadow—the liner is the star.
- Pair it with a simple, natural base and let your liner speak ALL the volumes.
Neon liner looks bomb on all skin tones, so don’t be shy to go for the brightest green, pink, or yellow you can find!
Skin Realness: Keep it Fresh AF
If you’ve ever seen Lil Nas X at any event or video, one thing is CONSTANT: That dewy, fresh, real skin. It’s not about looking like you’re masked in foundation. It’s about glowing so hard, it looks like you’ve been drinking eight gallons of water (even though who’s got time for that?). Here’s how you can achieve the skin realness:
- Lightweight Foundation: Achieve a skin-like base with a lightweight foundation or BB cream. We are NOT caking it on here.
- Glass Skin: Add on a liquid highlight in places where the sun naturally hits—cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead, and chin. It’s all about that wet, glass-skin finish.
Think natural glow, aka “no-makeup makeup” but still looking like you’ve spent hours perfecting it.
The Final Touch: CRAZY Accessories
Lil Nas X never has a look that’s boring, and honestly, neither should you! One fun way to elevate your makeup game (if you’re about that life) is with glitter, rhinestones, and face stickers. Yup, just throw some face gems or glitter on your cheekbones or inner corners of your eyes. It brings instant “I’m here to steal the show” vibes.
But also, you don’t have to crazily overdo it. Sometimes just a little sparkle here and there can speak volumes without shouting.
Here’s a quick tip I love:
Apply cosmetic-grade glitter or face gems with a little eyelash glue. Trust me, they will last all night!
Quick Lil Nas X Vibe Recs for Everyday:
- Lil Nas X-Like Lips: If you’re not ready to go all out, try experimenting with bright, matte lips. Lil Nas X has rocked everything from hot pink to a fire engine red. A bold lip will always give you star power.
- Freckles for Days: For some softer days, LI’l Nas X sometimes has that sun-kissed freckle look. And IT’S FAKE. But it’s real cute. Dot some freckles on using an eyebrow pencil or any soft brown liner.
-
Silver Moments: Lil Nas X loves metallics—whether gold as we referenced earlier or silver. Add a silvery eyeliner look for something edgy but wearable.
| Product Rec | Why It’s So Lil Nas X |
|---|---|
| Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb | That glimmer and glow energy in one compact |
| NYX Cosmic Metals Eyeshadow | Metallics are a no-brainer with Nas! |
| Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil | Perfect for those smoky eye + neon combos, & it’s smudge-proof! |
| Glossier Cloud Paint | Gives you that natural, dewy glow for cheekbones that POP |
Finishing Thoughts
Lil Nas X isn’t just a musician—he’s literally CRUSHING the beauty game, too. His bold, adventurous looks are all about confidence, playfulness, and creativity. He’s fearless, and you should be, too. So next time you’re in the mood to switch it up, channel some of these vibrant Nas looks: Go gold, go neon, go extra, and, most importantly, go have fun with it!
Now, go grab your brushes (and maybe some glitter screws). Let’s stir it up. 💅
