Ariana Grande’s Most Jarring Makeup Mistakes Over the Years

Ariana Grande’s makeup choices have drawn scrutiny in recent appearances, with critics pointing to instances where the application appears heavy-handed or mismatched to her skin tone. From the 2015 American Music Awards to the 2026 Golden Globes and more recently, the 2024 WSJ. Magazine awards, observers have noted a pattern of looks that deviate from a natural aesthetic.

At the 2015 American Music Awards, Grande’s face appeared significantly lighter than the rest of her body, creating a stark contrast. The foundation was applied so thickly that a noticeable “halo effect” was visible, even in wider shots, according to recent analysis of the event.

More recently, at the 2026 Golden Globes, Grande’s face was described as flirting with a “cakey” effect, with contouring that accentuated her cheekbones despite minimal need for such definition. The most striking element of the look, however, was the heavy application of powder around her eyes, resembling what some described as “Batman makeup.”

The trend continued at the AFI Awards Luncheon, where her makeup evoked comparisons to Tim Burton’s character Emily the Corpse Bride, with an overabundance of blush highlighting a stark white band around her eyes.

Looking back to 2011, a CD signing for “Victorious: Music From The Hit TV Display” showcased heavily filled-in eyebrows, described as resembling a Sharpie application, alongside an overapplied blush creating an orange tint.

A 2014 MTV VMA appearance featured a violet lipstick that was deemed an unfavorable color choice, combined with ashy foundation and poorly blended contour, resulting in a washed-out appearance.

The premiere of “Wicked: For Good” in New York saw Grande’s foundation several shades too light, creating a jarring contrast against her naturally tanned skin.

At the 2016 American Music Awards, a burgundy lip and heavy contouring created a severe look, while a patchy base with varying shades across her face further detracted from the overall aesthetic.

The 2024 WSJ. Magazine awards saw a recurrence of the orange foundation issue, with an excessive amount of product creating an unnatural appearance. The slicked-back hairstyle further exposed the makeup’s flaws.

Most recently, at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, heavy powder application resulted in a flaky texture, while harsh black eyeliner and an overall mask-like effect failed to enhance her natural beauty. The contrast between her face and décolletage served as a reminder of her natural skin tone. A 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango appearance also featured excessive highlighter and a tangerine-toned foundation, contributing to a glossy and heavy-handed look.