IIFA 2011 performer (photo source: style.com)

In my latest book, The Look Book: 50 Iconic Beauties and How To Achieve Their Signature Styles, I dedicate a spread to Bjork and face ornamentation. The practice has been a tradition in India for centuries, of course, and at this week’s International Indian Film Awards (IIFA), performers were adorned with elaborate face decorations, courtesy of MAC Cosmetics makeup artists.

The IIFA is Bollywood’s version of the Oscars. Except–this is so cool–the Indian Oscars are open to the public. Of course, tickets sell out in a matter of minutes, but still–how cool is it that anyone can attend? Whereas the American Oscars are all about the fashion (and to some extent, the awards,  I guess), the IIFA features actors performing singing and dancing numbers on stage as part of the show.

And that’s where the MAC makeup artists were able to showcase their elaborate bejeweled designs–on the singer and dancers’ faces.

Style.com features a great Q&A with the makeup artists who made the looks. Check it out here. And check The Look Book for the history of face ornamentation, the style-setting Bjork (who helped usher the look in for modern-day girls) and step-by-step instructions on how to get the look for yourself.