How to Steal 10 of the Best Makeup Looks from the VMAs

Ready to release your inner makeup artist, inspired by the music mavens of the world? The VMAs brought us everything from the smokiest eyes to the nudest lips, and we’ve put together 1o tutorials to help you get the look at home. No Red Carpet event to attend? Who cares! You can rock these looks anywhere, or save them for your upcoming wedding or soiree!

1. Bronze: The bronze ’90s look is always a winner, and Sarah Hyland made it look as effortless as everyday makeup. (via Popsugar)

2. Grey Tones: Taylor Swift’s grey tones were a perfect match to her dress. Pair them with a dark or tonal outfit for the perfect eye-popping look. (via Keiko Lynn)

3. Smokey Eye: Nina Dobrev brought her signature smokey eye to the VMAs. A favorite of ours, this one is a must master. (via Top Inspired)

4. Cat Eye: Katy Perry, we’ve heard your roar, and we want to get on the bandwagon. Put on your cat eyes for a bold and serious statement. (via Lulu’s)

5. “No Makeup”: Love the no-makeup look? This natural getup is an art form and is a great warm-weather way to look fresh. (via Bridal Musings)

6. Red Lips: We’ll always love deep red lips, and we love Rita Ora’s long-lashes-and-lips combo. (via Brit + Co)

7. Gold: Of course, Beyonce brought the gold and glitz in so many ways at the VMAs. We can’t wait to try her subtle gold eyeshadow. (via Brit + Co)

8. Lower Liner: Lower liner is a great way to make your eyes pop. Lucy Hale paired her strong lower liner with a smokey eye and, boy, does it just work. (via The Beauty Department)

9. Nude Lips: Nicki Minaj brought the nude lips last night. We like this look pair with a darker eye and rose cheeks. (via The Beauty Department)

10. Red Eyes: Solange Knowles was rockin’ the red last night. Get this look for a festive and bold change to your everyday look! (via The Beauty Department)

Which of these makeup looks will you try? Tell us in the comments below!

My iTunes library is filled with music from '90s boy band *NSYNC and I'm proud of it. As much as I adore the Backstreet Boys, my stance is firm - *NSYNC will forever be the group that unlocks the romantic feelings in my heart. Fun fact: my mom and sister have core memories of me singing "Every little thing I do, never seems enough for you..." at the top of my lungs.

That's why this '90s baby has been squealing with excitement over *NSYNC's reunion at Justin Timberlake's LA Concert last week and the fact they made another recent appearance to support him! If you're as much of an *NSYNC fan as I am, have no fear because all the details are here!

Did *NSYNC Appear At Justin Timberlake's Album Release Party?

Image via Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake Hosts "EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS" Album Release Party

OMG, they did! It shouldn't come as a surprise because they've been working hard BTS to surprise fans, but our hearts cannot be still. Held on March 14th at Dan Tana's in West Hollywood, Justin Timberlake's album release party had the spirit of a friendly kickback with close friends, good food, and a DJ set that created amazing vibes.

Did Justin Timberlake Pose With *NSYNC?

Image via Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake Hosts "EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS" Album Release Party

​Yes! Justin Timberlake was seen posing next to his bandmates Chris Kilpatrick and Lance Bass during his album release party. They looked like they could barely contain their own excitement which makes us feel like they're way past the friendship stage. They're camaraderie feels like a brotherhood at this point. 

What Other Guests Attended Justin Timberlake's Album Release Party?

Image via Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake Hosts "EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS" Album Release Party

Aside from another amazing *NSYNC reunion, several stars were in the building for Justin Timberlake's album release party!

Image via Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake Hosts "EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS" Album Release Party

Justin Timberlake was also seen posing with film producer Lena Waithe and actress Cynthia Erivo.

Image via Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake Hosts "EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS" Album Release Party

Director and photographer Charlotte Rutherford was all smiles next to stylist Savannah Baker.

How Did Justin Timberlake Surprise Concert Goers With An Appearance BY NYSNC?

Image via Theo Wargo / Getty Images

During a portion of his free concert in LA, Justin Timberlake stood onstage as curtains opened behind him to reveal his bandmates JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, and Chris Kilpatrick singing their hit songs "Gone," "It's Gonna Be Me," and "Bye Bye Bye" much to the crowd's delight.

Kirbie Johnson, host of the Gloss Angeles podcast, was one of many who shared her enthusiasm on Instagram. Towards the end of her caption she wrote, "Whatever brain synapses were firing back when I was 13 were back in full force last night. They sounded AMAZING!"

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend were also in the house, and it seems like they had the best date night ever! She posted a series of videos on Instagram Story and could be seen fangirling while belting *NSYNC's lyrics along with them. John Legend looked just as excited which shows the impact *NSYNC has on people.

Once the performance was over, JT took to Instagram to share a photo of five empty barstools onstage with the caption "That was fun. Let’s do it again soon. 😁."

Does *NSYNC Have a New Song Together?

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Following the release of "Better Place"for the Trolls Band Together soundtrack, *NSYNC was working on gearing up for the release of their new song together that's featured on Justin Timberlake's upcoming album Everything I Thought It Was. Titled "PARADISE," it features their signature harmony that has a nostalgic, yet modern blend I can see myself listening to a ridiculous amount of times.

Watch Clips From NSYNC's Reunion:

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*NSYNC Reunion Performance! Watch Justin Timberlake Surprise Crowd With Boy Band

All I'm going to say is that I'm jealous of anyone who got to see *NSYNC perform "PARADISE" in person last night.

When's The Last Time *NYSNC Performed Together?

Image via Scott Gries/ImageDirect

Even though there was a special *NSYNC reunion at last year's VMA awards, Peoplementioned that the group's last live performance was at the 2013 VMAs. That means we'd been living without their beautiful voices for almost a decade! The horror!

If it happens, how would feel about going to the NSYNC reunion tour?

This post has been updated.

Header image via Theo Wargo / Getty Images

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

Think of music videos like tiny movies. Whether they're creative concepts like "Satellite" by Harry Styles or they draw inspo from actual movies Ariana Grande's "thank u, next," they're always creative and they're *always* fun to watch. This year, our favorite artists — including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, SZA, and Olivia Rodrigo — were nominated for all kinds of awards and ended up taking home some pretty big wins. Keep reading to watch everything that was nominated for "Video of the Year" and to see if your favorite artist won!

Megan Thee Stallion And Justin Timberlake Had A Moment Backstage

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I just talk with my hands lol 💁🏽‍♀️see ya next time @Justin Timberlake

Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake went viral during the awards show for a backstage exchange. While fans jumped to the conclusion that the two artists were fighting, in reality, they were just joking around!

"She had her makeup people there...and they were all doing her up," Chris Kirkpatrick says on a new episode of the Johnny's House podcast. "Justin walks over like, 'Hey do me now.' She turned and looked and realized it was Justin and...freaked out. And she was wagging her finger at him and was like 'No, not like this. I can't meet you like this.'"

The duo ended up taking a picture and filming a TikTok together and are very clearly not fighting. "I just talk with my hands," Megan captioned the video.

Kelsea Ballerini Did The Most Insane Costume Change

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Kelsea Ballerini - "Penthouse" | 2023 VMAs

We already loved how absolutely adorable Kelsea and Chase Stokes were on the carpet, but this performance totally wowed us! While obviously she looked and sounded gorgeous, the most shocking moment was her INCREDIBLE costume change from her white gown to a shorter black dress. When someone figures out how she did it, *please* let us know!!!

Fall Out Boy Came Out & Everyone's Elder Emo Jumped Out

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Fall Out Boy - "We Didn't Start The Fire" | 2023 VMAs

Who didn't scream-sing Fall Out Boy when they were younger? Content Editor Haley Sprankle may or may not have played "Sugar We're Goin' Down" during the cake cutting at her wedding. Regardless, their cover of "We Didn't Start The Fire" was so fun!

Shakira Earned The Vanguard Award

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Shakira - "Hips Don't Lie" / "Objection (Tango)" / "Whenever, Wherever" & More | 2023 VMAs

Though we *do* wish she woulda played "Waka Waka," we've honestly never been let down by a Shakira performance, and we certainly weren't tonight. The "Hips Don't Lie" icon danced the night away on the VMAs stage, showing everyone why she's the Vanguard Award winner tonight!

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Slayed "Bongos"

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Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion - "Bongos" | 2023 VMAs

These baddies bodied their VMA set, to nobody's surprise. In gorgeous blue bodices (a hue we've seen all over runways and street style alike this season), Megan and Cardi brought the heat, dancing their a*ses off. BRB while I try to get my hair to look like that tomorrow!

Olivia Rodrigo Performed "Vampire" and "get him back"

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Olivia Rodrigo - "vampire" / "get him back" | 2023 VMAs

On the heels of her Gutsalbum drop *and* new music video for "get him back," Olivia Rodrigo took the VMAs stage in New Jersey. Her vocals were stunning, paired with beautiful visuals + choreography. One shocking moment? Fans couldn't tell if she was escorted off stage for real, or if it was a part of the show. Seems as if it was all according to plan, given her cheeky smile and unshaken demeanor, but regardless — we're so glad she's alright!

NSYNC Reunited To Present The First Award Of The Night

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*NSYNC Presents Taylor Swift w/ Best Pop Award | 2023 VMAs

Boy band OGs, NSYNC reunited Tuesday night to present the award for Best Pop Music Video. Everyone was absolutely gagged to see the quintet on stage together, even though the reunion was rumored for a while. While we didn't wanna say bye, bye, bye to them too soon, we were happy to see Miss Taylor Swift take the stage with her first win of the evening for the "Anti-Hero" music video.

Funny enough, the queen of easter eggs had the audacity to question what this auspicious reunion meant, saying, "They're gonna do something, and I need to know what it is." Oh how the turns have tabled, Tay. 😉

MTV Video Music Awards Nominations

Winners of each category are bolded!

Video of the Year

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Doja Cat - Attention (Official Video)

Doja Cat, “Attention,” Kemosabe Records / RCA Records

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Miley Cyrus - Flowers (Official Video)

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers,” Columbia Records

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Nicki Minaj - Super Freaky Girl (Official Music Video)

Nicki Minaj, “Super Freaky Girl,” Republic Records

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Olivia Rodrigo - vampire (Official Video)

Olivia Rodrigo, “vampire,” Geffen Records

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Sam Smith, Kim Petras - Unholy (Official Music Video)

Sam Smith and Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol Records

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SZA - Kill Bill (Official Video)

SZA, “Kill Bill,” Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records

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Taylor Swift - Anti-Hero (Official Music Video)

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records

Artist of the Year

  • Beyoncé, Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
  • Doja Cat, Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • KAROL G, Interscope Records
  • Nicki Minaj, Republic Records
  • Shakira, Sony Music US Latin
  • Taylor Swift, Republic Records

Song of the Year

  • Miley Cyrus, “Flowers,” Columbia Records
  • Olivia Rodrigo, “vampire,” Geffen Records
  • Rema and Selena Gomez, “Calm Down,” Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
  • Sam Smith and Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol Records
  • Steve Lacy, “Bad Habit,” L-M Records / RCA Records
  • SZA, “Kill Bill,” Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records Records
  • Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records

Best New Artist

  • GloRilla – CMG / Interscope Records
  • Ice Spice – 10K Projects / Capitol Records
  • Kaliii – Atlantic Records
  • Peso Pluma – Double P Records
  • PinkPantheress – 300 Entertainment
  • Reneé Rapp – Interscope Records

Push Performance of the Year

  • August 2022: Saucy Santana, “Booty,” Arena Records / RCA Records
  • September 2022: Stephen Sanchez, “Until I Found You," Mercury Records / Republic Records
  • October 2022: JVKE, “golden hour,” AWAL
  • November 2022: Flo Milli, “Conceited,” ’94 Sounds / RCA Records
  • December 2022: Reneé Rapp, “Colorado,” Interscope Records
  • January 2023: Sam Ryder, “All The Way Over,” Elektra Entertainment
  • February 2023: Armani White, “GOATED,” Def Jam
  • March 2023: FLETCHER, “Becky’s So Hot,” Capitol Records
  • April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER, “Sugar Rush Ride,” BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records
  • May 2023: Ice Spice, “Princess Diana,” Heavy On It / 10K Projects / Capitol Records
  • June 2023: FLO, “Losing You,” Uptown/Republic Records
  • July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith, “That Part,” Island Records

Best Collaboration

  • David Guetta & Bebe Rexha, “I’m Good (Blue),” Warner Records
  • Post Malone, Doja Cat, “I Like You (A Happier Song),” Mercury Records / Republic Records
  • Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti and Yung Miami, “Gotta Move On,” Motown Records
  • KAROL G, Shakira, “TQG” Universal Music Latino
  • Metro Boomin with The Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy, “Creepin’ (Remix),” Boominati / Republic Records
  • Rema and Selena Gomez, “Calm Down,” Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records

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Dua Lipa - Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album) [Official Music Video]

Best Pop

  • Demi Lovato, “Swine,” Island Records
  • Dua Lipa, “Dance the Night (From Barbie the Album),” Atlantic Records
  • Ed Sheeran, “Eyes Closed,” Atlantic Records
  • Miley Cyrus, “Flowers,” Columbia Records
  • Olivia Rodrigo, “vampire,” Geffen Records
  • P!NK, “TRUSTFALL,” RCA Records
  • Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records

Best Hip-Hop

  • Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, and Yung Miami, “Gotta Move On,” Motown Records
  • DJ Khaled feat. Drake and Lil Baby, “STAYING ALIVE,” We The Best / Epic Records
  • GloRilla and Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2," CMG / Interscope Records
  • Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock,” Atlantic Records / Generation Now
  • Lil Wayne feat. Swizz Beatz and DMX, “Kant Nobody,” Young Money Records
  • Metro Boomin feat. Future, “Superhero (Heroes and Villains),” Boominati / Republic Records
  • Nicki Minaj, “Super Freaky Girl,” Republic Records

Best R&B

  • Alicia Keys feat. Lucky Daye, “Stay,” RCA Records
  • Chlöe feat. Chris Brown, “How Does It Feel,” Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia
  • Metro Boomin with the Weeknd, 21 Savage, and Diddy, “Creepin’ (Remix),” Boominati / Republic Records
  • SZA, “Shirt,” Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
  • Toosii, “Favorite Song,” South Coast Music Group / Capitol Records
  • Yung Bleu & Nicki Minaj, “Love in the Way,” Empire Distribution

Best Alternative

  • blink-182, “EDGING,” Columbia Records
  • boygenius, “the film,” Interscope Records
  • Fall Out Boy, “Hold Me Like a Grudge,” Fueled By Ramen
  • Lana Del Rey feat. Jon Batiste, “Candy Necklace,” Interscope Records
  • Paramore, “This Is Why,” Atlantic Records
  • Thirty Seconds to Mars, “Stuck,” Concord Records / Concord

Best Rock

  • Foo Fighters, “The Teacher,” RCA Records
  • Linkin Park, “Lost (Original Version),” Warner Records
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Tippa My Tongue,” Warner Records
  • Måneskin, “THE LONELIEST,” Arista Records
  • Metallica, "Lux Æterna,” Blackened Recordings
  • Muse, “You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween,” Warner Records

Best Latin

  • Anitta, “Funk Rave,” Republic Records
  • Bad Bunny, “WHERE SHE GOES,” Rimas Entertainment
  • Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma, “Ella Baila Sola,” DEL Records Inc. / Prajin Parlay, Inc. Grupo Frontera
  • Bad Bunny, “un x100to,” Rimas Entertainment
  • KAROL G, Shakira, “TQG,” Universal Music Latino
  • ROSALÍA, “DESPECHÁ,” Columbia Records
  • Shakira, “Acróstico,” Sony Music US Latin

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BLACKPINK - ‘Pink Venom’ M/V

Best K-Pop

  • aespa, “Girls,” SM ENTERTAINMENT Co., Ltd.
  • BLACKPINK, “Pink Venom,” YG Entertainment / Interscope Records
  • FIFTY FIFTY, “Cupid,” ATTRAKT / Warner Records
  • SEVENTEEN, “Super,” HYBE / Geffen Records
  • Stray Kids, "S-Class,” JYP / Republic
  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER, “Sugar Rush Ride,” BIGHIT MUSIC / Republic Records

Best Afrobeats

  • Ayra Starr, “Rush,” Mavin Global Holdings
  • Burna Boy, “It’s Plenty,” Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd.
  • Davido feat. Musa Keys, “UNAVAILABLE,” Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
  • Fireboy DML and Asake, ”Bandana,” Empire Distribution
  • Libianca, “People,” Sony Music U.K. / RCA Records
  • Rema and Selena Gomez, “Calm Down,” Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope Records
  • Wizkid feat. Ayra Starr, “2 Sugar,” Starboy / RCA Records

Video for Good

  • Alicia Keys, "If I Ain’t Got You (Orchestral),” NETFLIX
  • Bad Bunny, “El Apagón – Aquí Vive Gente,” Rimas Entertainment
  • Demi Lovato, “Swine,” Island Records
  • Dove Cameron, “Breakfast,” Columbia Records
  • Imagine Dragons, “Crushed,” KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
  • Maluma, “La Reina,” Sony Music US Latin

Best Direction

  • Doja Cat, “Attention,” Kemosabe Records / RCA Records, Directed by Tanu Muiño
  • Drake, “Falling Back,” OVO/Republic Records, Director X (Julien Christian Lutz)
  • Kendrick Lamar, “Count Me Out,” pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records, Directed by Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
  • Megan Thee Stallion, “Her,” 300 Entertainment, Directed by Colin Tilley
  • Sam Smith and Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol Records, Directed by Floria Sigismondi
  • SZA, “Kill Bill,” Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records, Directed by Christian Breslauer
  • Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records, Directed by Taylor Swift

Best Cinematography

  • Adele, “I Drink Wine,” Columbia Records, Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra
  • Ed Sheeran, “Eyes Closed,” Atlantic Records, Cinematography by Natasha Baier
  • Janelle Monae, “Lipstick Lover,” Atlantic Records, Cinematography by Allison Anderson
  • Kendrick Lamar, “Count Me Out,” pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records, Cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra
  • Miley Cyrus, “Flowers,” Columbia Records, Cinematography by Marcell Rev
  • Olivia Rodrigo, “vampire,” Geffen Records, Cinematography by Russ Fraser
  • Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records, Cinematography by Rina Yang

Best Visual Effects

  • Fall Out Boy, “Love From the Other Side,” Fueled By Ramen, Visual Effects by Thomas Bailey and Josh Shaffner
  • Harry Styles, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” Columbia Records, Visual Effects by Chelsea Delfino and Black Kite Studios
  • Melanie Martinez, “VOID,” Atlantic Records, Visual Effects by Carbon
  • Nicki Minaj, “Super Freaky Girl,” Republic Records, Visual Effects by Max Colt and Sergio Mashevskyi
  • Sam Smith and Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol Records, Visual Effects by Max Colt / FRENDER
  • Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records, Visual Effects by Parliament

Best Choreography

  • BLACKPINK, “Pink Venom,” YG Entertainment / Interscope Records, Choreography by Kiel Tutin, Sienna Lalau, Lee Jung (YGX), Taryn Cheng (YGX)
  • Dua Lipa, “Dance the Night (From Barbie the Album),” Atlantic Records, Choreography by Charm LaDonna
  • Jonas Brothers, “Waffle House,” Republic Records, Choreography by Jerry Reece
  • Megan Thee Stallion, “Her,” 300 Entertainment, Choreography by Sean Bankhead
  • Panic! at the Disco, “Middle of a Breakup,” Fueled By Ramen, Choreography by Monika Felice Smith
  • Sam Smith and Kim Petras, “Unholy,” Capitol Records, Choreography by (LA)HORDE, Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel

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boygenius - the film

Best Art Direction

  • boygenius, “the film,” Interscope Records, Art Direction by Jen Dunlap
  • BLACKPINK, “Pink Venom,” YG Entertainment / Interscope Records, Art Direction by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)
  • Doja Cat, “Attention,” Kemosabe Records / RCA Records, Art Direction by Spencer Graves
  • Lana Del Rey feat. Jon Batiste, “Candy Necklace,” Interscope Records, Art Direction by Brandon Mendez
  • Megan Thee Stallion, “Her,” 300 Entertainment, Art Direction by Niko Philipides
  • SZA, “Shirt,” Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records, Art Direction by Kate Bunch

Best Editing

  • BLACKPINK, “Pink Venom,” YG Entertainment / Interscope Records, Editing by Seo Hyun Seung (GIGANT)
  • Kendrick Lamar, “Rich Spirit,” pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records, Edited by Grason Caldwell
  • Miley Cyrus, “River,” Columbia Records, Edited by Brandan Walter
  • Olivia Rodrigo, “vampire,” Geffen Records, Edited by Sofia Kerpan and David Checel
  • SZA, “Kill Bill,” Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records, Edited by Luis Caraza Peimbert
  • Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” Republic Records, Edited by Chancler Haynes

Which of the VMAs 2023 nominees do you hope snags an award? Did your favorites get snubbed? Let us know in the comments!

Lead image via Jason Kempin / Staff

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

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Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

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The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

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Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

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Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

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Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

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The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

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This post has been updated.