They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it's also in the hands of a select few über-talented makeup artists. With a swipe of mascara or a dramatic contour, we can use makeup to tell a story (see: our alien and '90s-inspired beauty shoots). When you think about it, makeup is just another way we show our confidence and express how we feel.

Cick through the gallery to see our favorite makeup artists on Instagram.

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By the time the Academy Awards roll around, filmmakers and musicians are most likely pretty worn out—they already got wasted at the Golden Globes, received criticism from their peers at the SAG Awards, and have had their films and contributions ripped apart by the general public and media alike. And while it seems like most celebrities pile on the pressure, subjecting themselves to crash diets, multiple styling consultations, and hours in the hair and makeup chair, there are some celebrities (read: our favorite celebrities) that deal with the whole ordeal in their own special way—by saying "fuck it." 

Earlier this week, we profiled 11 iconic Oscar looks that lost all of their street-cred to the hands of time. Here, we celebrate the most badass, IDGAF Oscar looks of all time (that will most likely always remain awesome). Stay tuned for our live updates this weekend—hopefully there will be some to add to this list. After all, should we really be taking something with the name "Oscar" so seriously? Probably not.

Tilda Swinton at the 2008 Oscars

Photo by Vince Bucci / Getty Images

Tilda Swinton is the closest thing on this planet to a pure, omniscient extraterrestrial being, so (to be honest) we probably magnify every Swinton-related happening to resemble the second-coming. But we're pretty sure we'd love this asymmetrical satin black Lanvin dress on anyone at the Oscars—after all, it's essentially a big "F you" to traditional Hollywood standards. No juicing, squeezing, or excessive primping need be involved in this look.

Celine Dion at the 1999 Oscars

Photo by Getty Images

Celine Dion has always done her own thing and has never been afraid to be her weird, weird Canadian self—and we love her for that. This backwards suit jacket look has made it on multiple "Worst Dressed of All-Time" lists, which only proves how this ensemble is so ahead of its time. The best part of the outfit though (matching fedora and sunglasses not included)? As cliché as it may sound, it's the confidence that Dion brings that really makes the outfit work. I-C-O-N-I-C.

Angelina Jolie at the 2000 Oscars

Photo by David McNew / Getty Images

This look—which, yes, so clearly channels Morticia Addams—isn't only witchy and commanding, but was also extremely relevant to why Jolie was at the '00 Oscars to begin with. That night, she took home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Girl, Interrupted. The film itself is about mental illness and inner demons. With a long, black Gucci dress and Elvira hair extensions, Jolie both acknowledges the spirit of the film and suggests that you can control those dark thoughts and inhibitions in a constructive way. We miss goth Angie. 

Erykah Badu at the 2000 Oscars

Photo by David McNew / Getty Images

It takes a certain amount of self-assuredness to wear a large headdress to an awards show. The people sitting behind the singer-songwriter maybe didn't appreciate it at the time, but they probably came out with some great stories.

Cher at the 1986 Oscars

Photo by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Is it a bird, is it a crane? Oh no, it's just Cher. There are exceptional beings and then there is the strange presence of Cher. What could be more anti-Oscars than wearing a Bob Mackie stage outfit (headdress and all)? Nothing, that's what. 

Bjork at the 2001 Oscars

Björk—Iceland's pride and joy—has always challenged boundaries in the name of art. Although many didn't understand this Marjan Pejoski swan ensemble (she has said it was to promote her Vespertine album), that's precisely the point. It was done in jest and the fact that she laid golden eggs along the red carpet proves that. Please never change, Björk. Never.

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Kristen Stewart has a message for Hollywood: Take your Oscars and shove 'em. As Tinseltown gets set for its biggest night, the actress took home her own hardware Saturday, when she won the César for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Olivier Assayas' psycho-drama, Clouds of Sils Maria. The award is the French equivalent of the Oscar, and with her win, Stewart becomes the first Yankee ever to receive such an honor.

That probably explains the genuinely stunned look on Stewart's face when her name is called. Well that, and the thought of delivering an acceptance speech in a language not her own, must have struck fear into the heart of the notoriously timid star. And yes, it was just as hard to watch as you'd expect. That said, Stewart may want to brush up on her French ASAP. According to Variety, the actress told reporters backstage that "The reasons why people make films here in France are very different from the reasons why people make movies in Hollywood and I prefer it here a little bit." So it looks like we may eventually lose K-Stew to the French, which is only fair after we pulled off the great Marion Cotillard heist of 2007. Well played France, well played. 

The Independent Spirit Awards unfolded by the glittering sea Saturday, with Oscar frontrunners Birdman, Julianne Moore, and Michael Keaton taking home the day's top prizes. But the awards were secondary, after hosts Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen opened the show with a killer spoof of the night's big winner. Bill Hader, Miles Teller, and Adam Scott also appear in the clip, which was shot in the same single-take style that made Birdman such a wonder. The bar for award show openers has been set — and it's sky high. Something tells us NPH has totally got this though. 

Watch below. 

The Oscars may be known as Hollywood's biggest night for red carpet fashion, but with the #AskHerMore campaign, many actors are trying to move the focus away from couture gowns and beauty regimes towards something a little more substantial. To challenge typical standard interview protocol, both Reese Witherspoon and Emma Watson are speaking up about the cause.

Nominated for Best Actress for her role in Wild, Witherspoon took to Instagram to voice her desire for a consciousness shift in red carpet culture. Posting a photo with a list of carpet-ready questions—including "What accomplishment are you most proud of?" and "Do filmmakers and characters have to make a difference in the world?"—the actress lamented the lack of thought-provoking questions posed to female nominees. "I love the Oscars AND fashion like many of you," she said, "But I'd also love to answer some of these Qs."

In her pre-show interview, Witherspoon also stressed that this is an opportunity to ask nominees about something "more than dresses," especially since so many of the nominated women are accomplished in a variety of ways. After all, Witherspoon herself not only starred in Wild, but also produced that film AND Gone Girl. With her nomination for such a refreshingly three-dimensional role and incredible achievements behind-the-scenes, it makes sense that Witherspoon would step out as an advocate for equal opportunity on the carpet, especially since red carpet culture has evolved into a means to reduce women in film into objects only meant to be looked at. While fashion has a time-honored connection with the carpet, the questions that interviewers tend to ask women focus on the superficial, while their male counterparts are questioned about their thought processes and inspirations. This cultural habit erases the accomplishments of actresses by focusing only on women's bodies and clothing, making them into objects instead of complex, thoughtful people.

While the Oscar nominations this year may have been decidedly lacking in gender equality, we're glad to see Witherspoon taking a stand for change.

Though she may not be at the Oscars, Emma Watson is always prepared to make her voice heard for a good cause—especially when that cause is feminism. While Watson's influence spreads far and wide, her latest celebrity partnership comes as a bit of a (delightful) surprise.

Earlier today, the actress thanked Best Actor nominee Steve Carell on Facebook for getting involved in her cause, #HeForShe. "I think you’re so awesome and today you are wearing ‪#‎HeForShe‬ Monique Péan cufflinks at the Oscars to support Gender Equality," she wrote. "Couldn’t be more proud! THANK YOU." While Reese Witherspoon had voiced her support for the #AskHerMore campaign in light of the Oscars, Watson and Carell have proved that social awareness can be brought to the awards show in different forms. 

And while Hollywood still has a ways to go in terms of gender equality, it's refreshing to see stars making any sort of movement to support women—even if that simply means wearing cufflinks that go towards a good cause.  With this small collaboration, Watson and Carell have given us a little more optimism about the future of women in Hollywood and the world as a whole.

An event that will be referenced for decades to come isn't the place to try out a crazy-cool trend like, say, blue lipstick–but that doesn't mean that you can't roll up to the Academy Awards with a look that steals the show. Our favorite hair and makeup situations this evening had the kind of edginess that still fis into the glamour of the event, from the vampiest lipstick to the most creative way to style a mohawk. 

Click through to see our picks, and then just try to not copy each and every one of them. 

For its shocking lack of female nominations, this year's Oscars have had a surprising number of feminist moments, from Reese Witherspoon's call to #AskHerMore to Steve Carell's support of #HeForShe. Most amazing, however was the badass, inspiring acceptance speech of Best Supporting Actress winner Patricia Arquette, who ended her speech with a demand for equal pay for equal work.

She closed, "To every woman who gave birth to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation: we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and to fight for equal rights for women in America.”

While Arquette's speech certainly added a feminist touch to the largely male-dominated awards, it was the audience's reaction to her speech that really got our hearts racing (in the best way possible). With a roar of applause growing for Arquette's words, a skilled cameraperson captured the best moment of the awards thus far: J.Lo and Meryl Streep—sitting NEXT TO EACH OTHER, for some glorious reason—bringing the house town, cheering for their fellow feminist. 

The moment was almost too much to handle. J.Lo and Meryl are both iconic in their own right, but the realization that they are homegirls is simply amazing. If only we could have been nearby to hear their chatter. What did they talk about? The secret to world domination? The location of the philosopher's stone? We may never know. 

This is our new favorite reaction gif to everything good in this world. 

(via Jezebel)

The real joy of watching the Oscars is clocking those absurd, inexplicable moments that can only happen when a bunch of famous people and even more cameras converge. Last year, John Travolta was responsible for the weirdest, wildest, wtf-iest moment that remains a classic to this day. This year, he didn't bother waiting for the actual ceremony to go viral. On the red carpet, Travolta, who refuses to embrace his beautiful bald head, planted a strange, creepy, and strangely creepy and bizarrely paternal kiss on his A Love Song For Bobby Long costar Scarlett Johansson, while she looked less than impressed. It's as if the Travolta bird just swooped down and attacked her cheek. We feel for you, ScarJo. We feel.

The fashion statements at tonight's Academy Awards proved one major thing: For our favorite celebs, red-carpet fashion is officially no longer about looking classic. Sure, the looks we loved were classic in the sense that they were stunning, but there was a modern, almost futuristic vibe to the couture. From ultra-bedazzled fabric to mixed textures to shapes we've never seen, these gowns deserve their own awards show. 

Ahead, the stunners we're obsessing over. Let us know if you agree. 

Lady Gaga has kept a relatively low profile for the past two years, with no major performances or appearances since the release of her 2013 album Artpop. Yet with a ring on her finger and a refreshing make-under, the blonde songstress is tackling 2015 head-on—first, with a surprisingly impressive Sound of Music tribute performance during the 2015 Oscars.

While we know and love Gaga for her crazy costumes and avant-garde tendencies, the pairing of this pop star with a classic movie-musical somehow magically worked. We've long known that the 28-year-old had amazing vocal talent (remember her 2010 Grammy performance with Elton John?) but never imagined her using those stellar pipes to perform some seriously great musical theater tunes. When the songs you're performing are most famously sung by someone as iconic as Julie Andrews, the stakes are pretty high and it's easy to get it very wrong—sorry, Carrie Underwood. Nevertheless, donned in an ethereal, sylphlike gown, Gaga did the 50-year-old movie-musical justice, much to the delight of Andrews herself.

We know Lady Gaga was slated to perform in the night's ceremonies, but the Sound of Music tribute came as a completely delightful surprise. And when Julie Andrews hugs you on stage, you know you must have done something right.

Watch Gaga's Oscars performance below.

At this point in pop music, we feel like a music video replete with studded leather, bowl cuts, and a little bit of butt crack could come from anyone. But it’s the delivery that separates the artists, and truth be told: Mostly anything good comes from overseas nowadays. That’s why it’s no surprise Tel Aviv’s handsome electro-pop duo The Young Professionals just gave us a brand new music video that hits the spot.

Their debut album 9am to 5pm, 5pm to Whenever reached the top 10 on iTunes France and the band is killing it all over Europe. Their video for "All Of It But Me" will no doubt add to their success. "Creating the video for 'All of It But Me' was a fun and inspiring process," says the band. "We were trying to find a way to describe the lyrics with interesting, weird, and emotional images. The idea that you can never know what's on your lover's mind is a disturbing and exciting one.” And with about 25+ different visuals (we counted), they did just that. TYP’s array of dancing bowl cuts and Swarovski crystal encrusted face masks sort of makes you question how the hell they fit so much awesomeness into three minutes and 18 seconds.

We’ve already added this one to multiple playlists and we think you should, too. Whether it be the soundtrack to your workout, your turnup, or that roadtrip you’ve been meaning to take, head on over to iTunes and prepare your neck for a lesson in head bobbing with "All Of It But Me.”

Watch and learn below.

If you're looking to start your week off on a somber note, alt-J has you covered. The British four-piece, known for creating arty videos as atypical as their music itself, released the video for their song "Pusher" a few minutes ago, and it's everything you'd expect: Strange, thoughtful, weird, compelling, and (most of all) perplexing. 

Directed by Thomas Rhazi and produced by Division Paris, the four-minute clip shows a group of bald men in suits standing in what appears to be a collegiate sports field. They remain motionless as one man (with hair) stands atop a wooden box, preaching and speaking in tongues before snapping his own neck. Is the video a metaphor for Judgement Day? Is it a statement about mankind's battle with their inner demons? Will the man eventually resurrect and join the bald men? Alt-J, what does it all mean??  

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I remember my first trip to a beauty supply store like it was yesterday. Upon entering, I wasn't sure whether to take a scientific approach ("I have a zit, how do I fix it?") or simply cosmetic ("Is it possible to get rid of dark circles?"), so I sort of just dived right in, starting with cleansers. That part was easy, as the sales clerk convinced me gentle and natural is the way to go. But then she mentioned something about a serum. "A what?" I answered. When I asked her what the difference was between a serum and a moisturizer, she replied simply, "A serum preps your pores to absorb the moisturizer deeper into your skin." I was wowed by what I took to be a vast knowledge of ingredients and potions, so I obviously left with more than I'd planned to take home.

Fast-forward to nearly a year later and I still don't know what exactly serums are. So I decided to ask some professionals to help debunk what I consider the Big Bang Theory of skin care. Dr. Macrene Alexiadas-Armenakas, founder of 37 Actives, cleared up my confusion: "Serums are just another vehicle for delivering ingredients. They often provide water soluble actives such as Vitamins C and E and are usually water-based. The fact is, you don't need a serum if you get all your ingredients in in a single step. Otherwise, if you are layering product, then some brands have you buy serums and creams to sell more product to get those ingredients in." It seems brands create products around the planning and development of other products—why create one cream that does it all when they can make more dough by marketing two or three products as a multi-step moisture system? Sounds more fun and beneficial, if you ask me, so that part I get.

Dermatologist Nicole Tardio of Dr. Dina Strachan's Aglow Dermatology, however, begs to differ. "A lot of serums are used to target moisturizing or pore-minimizing, but they're not actually doing that at all. The desire for extra moisture is fine, but serums are not to be thought of as 'preparation' for a moisturizer. If you want something that actually works, you need active ingredients, and serums aren't strong enough to deliver real results." Dr. Tardio went on to tell me that retinoids are actually the way to go. If you're unfamiliar with this potent product, this is what you need to know: Retinols keep your pores in order and penetrate a deeper layer of the skin no over-the-counter product can actually reach. They help our skin slough off dead skin cells at a more normal rate in order to regulate the amount of dirt and oils that clog our pores when we don't even know it. But if this sounds too invasive (like it does for me), both dermatologists suggest sticking with serums that deliver active ingredients such as DNA repair or robust antioxidants.

After deciphering all of these facts, I decided to go back to the drawing board and figure out which serum is right for my combination skin. In the gallery above are some of the best serums around that are not only cost-effective, but also target a multitude of skin concerns. Oh, and if you're just starting to use a serum, think of your skin routine as building from the ground up—light to heavy— meaning, in this order: cleanse, serum, moisturize.

In the high-stress environment of the Academy Awards, we wouldn't blame our favorite celebrities for committing various faux pas. We'd forgive them if they decided to, say, grope a fellow celebrity, or make awkward jokes in their underwear. And while the two aforementioned events certainly happened, a majority of the Oscar attendees surprised us in the best ways possible: Reese Witherspoon and Patricia Arquette (with the support of Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez) addressed feminist issues, Steve Carrell brought #HeForShe to the event, and the red carpet was home to some of the cutest romantic displays we've seen in a while (seriously, we pictured cartoon hearts floating above everyone's heads). Click through the gallery to see the cutest couples of the night.

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While everyone was sleeping on last night's Oscar happenings, Selena Gomez and Zedd were up late dropping their new single "I Want You To Know." If you're still in snooze mode, this electro-heavy song will wake you up faster than a shot of espresso. Both the singer and producer have been hinting at a video for the single for the past few weeks and now we finally get to hear what all the chatter is about. Although the duo has avoided confirming their rumored relationship, the dance hall track, which features lyrics like "I want you to know that I'm all yours / You and me run the same course," seems to be the perfectly subtle way to announce their coupledom. 

 

IWantYouToKnow

A photo posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Feb 20, 2015 at 11:14pm PST

“I’ve been working on new music for the last year and a half and am thrilled to finally share it with the world,” Zedd said in a press release. “It was such a pleasure working on this song with Selena and I’m so glad people finally get to hear it.” The song will be featured on Zedd's forthcoming sophomore album due out via Interscope Records this spring.

If you're too cold to go out tonight, invite your crew over and crank up "I Want You To Know." (It's a total banger.)

If there's one thing Jimmy Kimmel is great at, it's getting a bunch of famous people together to make fun of themselves. It's become an annual tradition for the late night host to follow up the Oscars with a star-studded spoof that basically lets a bunch of A-Listers not take themselves too seriously after taking themselves really seriously. This year, Kimmel detoured from his usual fake movie trailer to offer up a very funny mockumentary on "The Kimmel School of Perfect Acting," which sees him playing a cross between James Lipton and J.K. Simmons' monstrous teacher in Whiplash. Jennifer Aniston, Eddie Redmayne, Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Lupita Nyong’o, Emily Blunt, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and many more all show up to be humiliated, berated, and schooled by 'Jim Kimmel.' There are too many LOL moments to list, but if watching Jennifer Aniston fall flat on her back in the name of comedy is something you're into, then these videos are for you. 

When talking about Nick Koenig, where does one start? The NYC-based musician, who performs under the name Hot Sugar, has a lot going on. You could start by talking about "Associative Music," a movement that Koenig is at the forefront of, where he uses found sounds and field recordings—television static, a mammal's heartbeat, a "rat stumbling across a piano keyboard,"—to meticulously craft melancholy, beautiful pop music. You could mention the fact that he's been helping to soundtrack Broad City since the show's first season, or that his new album, God’s Hand, comes out tomorrow. Then there's that documentary about his artistic process called Hot Sugar's Cold World that's premiering next month at SXSW, or his immersive live show that he's introducing tonight at Santos' Party House in New York. And finally, there's the following interview, which is as weird and honest as the musice he makes. 

How did your career get started?
My first paid gig was performing for a two-year-old's birthday party. None of the kids were really paying attention and all of their parents were talking loudly in the background so it wasnt the easiest gig. One kid started eating his shoe and I wanted to interrupt my song to tell him not to do that, but I stayed focused and finished the song like a pro.

What are you most proud of so far in terms of your career?
Championing the Associative Music movement has been the most rewarding aspect of my career.

What famous person dead or living do most wish you could have as a roommate?
I don't like roommates so to be honest any dead person would work. They don't have to be famous as long as they're dead. We could put their skeleton in a cute little corner dressed in their favorite clothes but aside from that it would be my apartment.

Whose career would you most like to emulate?
Kenneth Anger and John Waters are very important to me. Their influence on modern culture is incalculable and their work is timelessly innovative.

If you had to live in a past time, what do you think would be the most fun era and why?
The past is dangerous. I'd rather live in the future. Even a couple generations ago in this country most of my friends wouldn't be allowed to share a water fountain with me. As it stands right now, half my friends aren't even allowed to get married. I'd rather cut to the future where tolerance and awareness are more widespread, plus we'll all have cellphones that can project movies onto walls.

What activities do you most enjoy doing alone?
I like doing everything alone. Being alone is my favorite activity. Hell is other people.

What kind of person were you in high school?
I was both the school president and voted class clown. I was also a teenage alcoholic who buried handles of rum around the school grounds like a pirate and would dig them up during lunch and mix it in my Snapple. I also hung out with the lunch man who used to be a Hell's Angel and would tell me stories about the ladies whose names were tattooed across his body.

Can you tell me a quality about yourself that you are genuinely proud of?
I think my eyes are pretty.

Do you have any phobias?
No, not really. I'm not afraid to die.

What are some new hobbies you would like to take on?
I want to make fonts. I can't wait to make fonts.

What are some of your favorite Internet “memes” of all time?
I don't really care for memes.

How do you hope to grow as a creative person?
When I was younger I was shorter than other kids in my class for some reason. I used to stay up at night stretching my arms up to the sky, hoping to stretch myself into growing faster. But "hope" doesn't help you grow. Growing just happens on its own. Eventually the others stopped growing when they were like 17 and I think I'm probably still growing and am taller than them.

If there was a phrase that you think best sums up your approach to life what might it be?
God's Hand LP in stores 2-24-15.

The wedding industry is a powerful force. Aside from manifesting phenomena like monogrammed cocktail napkins and maid-of-honor-themed iPhone cases, it has also decreed that, on the day of your wedding, thou shalt wear ladylike shoes in soft hues, delicate diamonds and pearls around your neck, a frilly garter around your leg, and perhaps a demure cluster of rhinestones in your hair. Luckily, rules are meant to be broken. 

Of course, there’s absolutely not a damn thing wrong with embracing all the frills if that’s what you’re into. But if your everyday style involves more leather and black denim than, say, pastels and pearls, why should that be any different on your wedding day? After all, we’re guessing the person you’re marrying probably really digs you. Key word being “you”—not an Emily Post-approved version of yourself. (Plus, let’s be honest: anyone would feel like a badass walking down the aisle in glitter pumps and a leather jacket.) 

So, in honor of fearless brides-to-be who want to let their style shine through on their big day, we rounded up a few accessories that boldly buck the bridal trends. Because if wearing studs and safety pins down the aisle is wrong, we don’t want to be right.

Last week, the web developer gods gave us introverted emojis. Now, after years of waiting, we finally have emojis that represent ALL ethnicities.

Earlier today, Apple released screenshots of the iOS 8.3 beta, which comes replete with multiple versions of every human emoji. All you have to do is hold your finger down on an emoji of your choosing and a variety of skin tones (including a bizarre Lego yellow) will appear. At the moment, only developers have access, but the upgrade will be available to all iOS users next month. We can finally portray who we are on the outside (and the inside) with our messages—it's an emoji miracle, of sorts.

Photo via Gawker

(via Gawker)