See Vanessa Hudgens' Glam So You Think You Can Dance Finale Hair and Makeup Get Created

For about two years, Vanessa Hudgens has enlisted makeup artist Allan Avendaño and hairstylist Chad Wood to whip up some of the most creative looks we’ve ever seen — and for the most recent season of So You Think You Can Dance, the trio went all out again, with a series of hair and makeup looks that commanded as much attention as the hit show. “Vanessa is one of my favorite clients — and people — of all time! She’s always down for a look, and will appreciate the simplest makeup or go for something really creative,” says Avendaño. Wood echos that sentiment: “My favorite thing about working with Vanessa is that she lets me be completely creative and play. We have so much fun together.” Scroll through for a behind-the-scenes look their show-stopping SYTYCD finale glam.

The Inspiration: “Vanessa’s look was inspired by a beautiful gown her stylist Natalie Saidi put her in by John Paul Ataker,” Avendaño explains. “Since the dress was classic, but had graphic shapes, I thought makeup should be and classic — but have a graphic element as well.”

The Prep: “I started with the NuFace All-in-One Facial Toning Kit to improve her skin tone and texture. We’ve been using this for a while and have seen her already great improvement in her skin. We use the Facial Trainer attachment, as well as the Wrinkle Reducer Light attachment and the Ele attachment for lip and eye area!”

“Then on her clean face used Differin Oil Control Moisturizer because her skin tends to be on the oilier side, so this keeps that at bay throughout the show, and acts as a primer to help her makeup last all day long.”

Vanesa’s Base: “I used a Beautyblender and Lorac POREfection Foundation to even out her complexion. That formula gives me such great coverage without feeling too heavy. And to target areas that need brightening — like under the eyes, the bridge and sides of the nose, forehead, chin and around the mouth area — I used a Lorac POREfection Concealer Pen a couple of shades lighter than her foundation to create some dimension. I set this using Lorac Pro Blurring Translucent Loose Powder.”

“I added contour and shading to her face using the medium shade in Lorac Pro Contour Palette. To give her warmth and glow, I used Lorac Bronzer in Golden Girl on her cheekbones, temples and bridge of her nose for a hint of a sunkissed complexion. On the apples of the cheeks, I applied Lorac Blush in Aura for a subtle flush. And lastly, for her signature glow, I used Lorac Light Source Illuminating Highlighter Powder in Starlight and Daylight on the cheekbones, bridge of her nose, under the brows and her Cupid’s bow.”

“My favorite part about her look was the smudged liner. It was subtle yet extremely effective, and really shaped her eyes into such a seductive shape. The simplicity was so chic and it was just a classic overall look!”

“I primed Vanessa’s eyes with Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer to hold on to the eyeshadows and liner we were applying. Then I used the Lorac Pro Eyeshadow Palette 3 to start shaping her eyes: First the color Terracotta all over the lids, then the Cool Taupe and Dk Brown shades to carve out her crease, and lastly the Jet Black eyeshadow to create her faded cat eye using a very fine pencil brush to draw the liner and the smudged it out going towards her ears. I repeated the process about five times — applying the shadow then blurring it out — so it looked lived in yet clean and sharp. And for a subtle highlight in the inner corners of her eyes, I used Lt Gold with a soft blending brush and just dusted it very lightly.”

“Next, I applied a few coats of Lorac Pro Mascara on the top lash line, paying special attention to the outer corners to really bring out the shape of the eyes. One coat on the bottom lashline opened up her eyes as well! Giving her brows definition and shape couldn’t have been easier with Lorac Pro Precision Brow Pencil in Cool Dark Brown. I drew in fine lines that mimicked hair and filled in areas that needed shading. I also created a sharper brow shape that was super easy because of the flat tip of this pencil. To finish the look, we used Lorac Alter Ego Lip Liner in Socialite, which I topped it with Lorac Alter Ego Satin Lipstick in Coffee Connoisseur.”

The Inspiration: “Today’s look was inspired by a 1940s Grace Kelly look: regal, elegant and expensive.”

The Prep: “I started by directing all the hair back with my Mason Pearson brush. Then I used a light hold dry finishing spray from Redken — Wind Blown 05 — to add texture and light hold.

The Updo: “Using my fingers, I pulled the hair back creating the desired shape, and secured it into a ponytail about two inches up from the nape of her neck. After pony was secure, I teased it and begin to give it shape and structure using Redken Triple Take 32 spray to give more hold and structure. Then, starting at the ends, I began to roll the hair into a low chignon, which I secured with bobby pins, and another spritz of Triple Take 32. For the finishing touch, I used French velvet to make a bow and add a delicate detail.”

“I love the look because it is soft and not over done” says Wood.

Says Avendaño of the trio’s time togeher: “Not only is Vanessa beautiful on the outside — he also has such a wonderful spirit about her that makes you so comfortable. She’s also so. Much. Fun! She’s always down for a dance party and makes the whole glam process such a great experience.”