This TikTok–Famous Brand Was the Key to Issa Rae's Retro Emmys Beauty Look

Issa Rae showed up to the 73rd annual Emmy Awards wearing a custom silver Aliétte gown, enhanced by glowing skin, metallic purple eye shadow, and bold lashes. The overall look was a riff on the disco era and was taken even further by the Insecure star's custom grill. 

While the newlywed turned heads as she walked the red carpet, it was only once all of the attendees were inside that we learned her secret: This entire beauty look was created using products under $15, including skincare. "The beautiful custom Aliétte felt like a nod to the '70s, Studio 54, and disco glam," said Joanna Simkin, celebrity makeup artist. "I was instantly inspired to do a sparkly purple eye shadow and fluttery lashes to accentuate Issa's gorgeous features while playing up a bold statement eye." The star of the show? E.l.f. Cosmetics' $5 Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow in Supernova.

Below, Simkin breaks down Issa Rae's gorgeous red carpet look, including details about how to achieve the perfect purple power eye at home. As they say on TikTok, issa vibe—right? Right. 

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Joanna Simkin)

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Joanna Simkin)

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Joanna Simkin )

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Freelance Writer

Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously at Who What Wear as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.