Lizzo Rocked 3 Looks at the VMAs: Here's How to Recreate Them

At MTV's VMAs, Shelby Swain for Matrix and ghd created a few different looks for Lizzo. "During our collaborative meeting I was mesmerized by the initial concept of the dress," said Swain. "I wanted to implement the dress with something sleek and timeless yet edgy."

Here, she shares how to get the first style, a sleek and sexy look.

  1. To begin I had to set a foundation. Going into wig placement may seem simple but we must remember healthy hair is our best reward. To maintain Lizzo’s beautiful tresses I washed and cleansed with Matrix A Curl Can Dream Shampoo
  2. Adding to the curl definition achieved during the shampoo, I went in and hydrated the curls to perfection with A Curl Can Dream Rich Mask. This combination allows Lizzo’s curls to pop from the gentle clarifying of the shampoo but also the moisture and buoyancy created with the mask. 
  3. Next, I blew out the curls with the ghd helios professional hair dryer, then protected the hair by applying Instacure Anti-Breakage Porosity Spray to fill in porosity and condition over-porous hair to create visibility smooth, static-free and frizz-free hair. 
  4. Once I finished blow-drying, I was able to curate Lizzo’s locs into a secure braided base by using Instacure Tension Reliever on the scalp to provide extra moisture and protection for her hair to remain gorgeous while flaunting this sleek bold hairstyle! 
  5. Getting into the style, I laid her wig and as I knew I would, I reached for the porosity spray because it is also pulling double duty as a detangler. I used the ghd max styler to straighten the tresses, however, to achieve the sleek blunt cut look, I still wanted some volume. I sprayed Vavoom Extra Full Freezing Spray to the roots for extra volume and I used the ghd ceramic vented radial brush in size 4 and the ghd helios professional hair dryer once again to achieve the volume that I desired. 
  6. We decided we wanted a wet look a few minutes before hitting the red carpet so I laid her edges with the Overachiever Paste 3-in-1 Cream + Paste + Wax and finished with the Vavoom Extra Full Freezing Spray and back again with the  Instacure Anti-Breakage Porosity Spray to add wetness, definition, and structure to this masterpiece! All in all, a solid vision, superb products, and great tools for a fantastic camera-ready statement.

"For Lizzo’s 80’s inspired performance look we wanted a wow moment," said Swain.

  1. Start by taking the hair and blow-dry for a sleek and shiny finish with the ghd helios professional hair dryer and ghd max styler to add texture, body, and finish Lizzo’s dramatic ponytail. 
  2. Then I reapplied Instacure Anti-Breakage Porosity Spray to prevent hair damage from heat tools and give a super healthy and smooth finish. 
  3. Next, I used Overachiever Paste 3-in-1 Cream + Paste + Wax to mold Lizzo’s hair into a ponytail. Once I molded the base, I have close attention to the actual ponytail and sprayed Vavoom Extra Full Freezing Spray which provided the perfect amount of volume while allowing the hair to remain pliable. 
  4. To finish, I laid down the baby hairs.