The 16 Badass Beauty Lessons We Learned from Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" Music Video
When Taylor Swift debuted her "Bad Blood" video at the Billboard Music Awards, it was groundbreaking. In true T. Swift fashion, she managed to gather a girl posse that was equal parts cool and kickass—young women who are dominating in all of their various fields, ranging from model-actress Cara Delevingne to BFF musician Selena Gomez. Each member of the all-female cast assumed an alternative superhero identity, gathering at the end for the face-off of the ages: a battle between bests.
Once the flames—induced by Taylor's rage—quelled at the end of the video, we spent all night watching the video. On repeat. And then, it hit us: The hair and makeup in this action-packed three minutes and fifty-one seconds is absolutely epic. Click through for our 16 favorites, then share yours in the comments below.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube1/17#4: Cat eyes are ideal for looks that could kill.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube2/1716. There's Always Time to Apply Lipstick.
In the middle of kicking some serious ass, good ol' T. Swift takes a pause on the action to—what else?—reapply her lipstick. Priorities, you know?
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube3/1715. Powder Can Be Dangerous.
Arsyn (AKA Selena Gomez) goes full on Marc Antony and stabs Taylor right in the heart via a very well-ecuted blow of pressed powder. This can also, perhaps, be taken as a metaphor for the dangers of over-powdering.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube4/1714. Smoky Eyes Are Ideal for Plotting Revenge.
Sure, this split-screen moment between T. Swift and Kendrick Lamar is meant to show how the rapper uses ultra-cool technology to bring Taylor back to tip-top fighting shape. But it also shows that if you're gearing up for the girl power comeback of 2015, your makeup better bring it—hardcore. A navy smoky eye and ultra-filled in brows will do just the trick.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube5/1713. Nothing Says "Comeback" Like a Great Blowout.
For the big finish, Taylor's comeback look gets completed with a magical gust of wind that takes her formerly wet strands (see previous slide) into hair campaign territory. This is undoubtedly an homage to Beyoncé.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube6/1712. All Black Everything Is the Mark of a Badass.
Nothing says "prepare for war" like severely elongated black cat eyes, black leather, and black nail polish (as seen on Hailee Steinfeld).
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube7/1711. High Ponytails Are Made For Whipping a) Back and Forth, b) Ass.
Slay-Z, aka Gigi Hadid, knows the power of a no-nonsense, ultra-tight, ultra-sleek high ponytail.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube8/1710. The Right Accessory Makes the Look.
Pigtails may come off as girly. Wrap them in severe black ribbon, though, and you're ready for a samurai sword à la Martha Hunt.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube9/179. Side-Braids Are Battle Braids.
A deep side part with a braid that wraps to the back of the head means the rest of your hair can flow freely without getting all up in your face. This is ideal for the nunchuk-wielding Cara Delevingne, who clearly means big business.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube10/178. When Giving Stank Face, Wear a Dark Lip.
Just like Zendaya, who quite possibly has the cutest iteration of stank face we have ever seen.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube11/177. Also: When You Want to Look Intimidatingly Beautiful.
Especially when you pair the moody shade with minimal face makeup and frosted eyeshadow.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube12/176. Lip Gloss Is Badass.
In all cases that involve elongated smoky eyes and boyish side-partings.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube13/175. A Hair Switch-Up Means War.
No, this is not Sparta—it's worse. This is a BFF showdown, which can only mean physical intimidation in its highest form: hair coloring.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube14/174. Cat Eyes Are Ideal for Looks that Could Kill.
Exhibits A, B, and C.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube15/173. And So Is Red Lipstick
This is Taylor Swift, the good girl gone bad remix.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube16/172. Do That Smoky Eye So Hard It's Scary
Because nothing intimidates an opponent like a death stare that is perfectly enhanced by the right shades from your favorite nighttime eye palette.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube17/171. Lips Were Made For Yelling
Which brings us back to lesson #16: Always make time to touch them up. War paint comes in all forms, but the right MAC Lipstick is its best.
