The 50 Best Red Carpet Beauty Moments of the 21st Century


With awards season upon us, we decided to take a look back at some of our favorite recent red carpet beauty looks from the Oscars to the Grammys (and every movie premiere and press junket in between).
1.
Kristen Stewart; Cannes Film Festival, 2018
Always one to push the boundaries, Kristen’s glinty eye shadow and pompadour at Cannes this year had us mesmerized.
2.
Jennifer Lawrence; BAFTA Awards, 2018
Here’s J.Law looking absolutely regal with her red lip and center-parted strands at this year’s BAFTA awards.
3.
Emma Stone; Venice Film Festival, 2018
Stone’s makeup artist layered five different shadows to create a stunning glittery effect on her lids (including a silver and slate blue shadow on her lower lash line). Needless to say, she sparkled.
4.
Constance Wu; Crazy Rich Asians Press Conference, 2018
Constance looks radiant with her berry stained lips and loose waves while promoting Crazy Rich Asians.
5.
Tracee Ellis Ross; CFDA Awards, 2018
What better way to complement your pink layered dress than a ribbon-adorned ballerina bun and fuchsia pout?
6.
Michelle Williams; Cannes Film Festival, 2017
Michelle’s navy eyeliner and platinum pixie strikes the perfect balance between edgy and classic.
7.
Julianne Moore; Cannes Film Festival, 2017
Julianne shows off monochromatic makeup (and hair) with her coppery lids and tawny bronzer.
8.
Issa Rae; CFDA Awards, 2018
Rae demonstrates that a glossy nude lip complements metallic eye shadow without competing against it.
9.
Emma Watson; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Premiere, 2011
Ah, who can forget when Emma first cut her hair after wrapping the Harry Potter series? Here, she slicked it all back so the focus went straight to her gold-leafed lids.
10.
Millie Bobby Brown; Stranger Things Season 2 Screening, 2018
We’re keeping an eye on Millie, who has proven to be quite the trendsetter since her debut in Stranger Things. Here she is with a modern take on a major '80s trend: blue eye shadow.
11.
Priyanka Chopra; Met Gala, 2018
Priyanka's beauty team drew inspiration from an Italian Renaissance painting for the Met Gala this year. The result? Ruby red lips, golden lids and sculpted waves that haunt our dreams.
12.
Reese Witherspoon; Golden Globes, 2007
Remember when Reese cut her bangs just before the Golden Globes...and we all rushed to get bangs the next day?
13.
Yara Shahidi; Black Panther Premiere, 2018
Based on her Cleopatra-inspired cat eye (which, if you look closely, has turquoise accents along the lower lash line), we think it’s pretty safe to say that Yara will make many more “best of” lists in the future.
14.
Amal Clooney; American Film Institute's 46th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute, 2018
Amal keeps it classic with cascading waves and a bold matte lip.
15.
Cate Blanchett; Venice Film Festival, 2018
There’s no denying that Cate is Hollywood royalty with her steely gaze and glamorous '20s hairstyle.
16.
Lupita Nyong'o; Academy Awards, 2014
Remember when Lupita received her first Oscar looking like a real-life Cinderella?
17.
Mindy Kaling; A Wrinkle in Time Premiere, 2018
Glowing skin? Check. Satin red lips? Check.
18.
Kerry Washington; Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2018
Kerry went all in with her bright coral lip and curled updo for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party this year.
19.
Winona Ryder; Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2001
Before Stranger Things, Winona was everyone's celeb crush of the Y2K. Here she is at the Oscar's party with perfectly mussed hair and candy pink lips.
20.
Meghan Markle; Royal Wedding, 2018
A timeless beauty look for any occasion: fluttery lashes, clean skin and a nude lip.
21.
Michelle Williams; Academy Awards, 2006
Williams won her first Oscar this year for her role in Brokeback Mountain; she forever cemented a place in our hearts with this red lip and mustard yellow dress.
22.
Helen Mirren; Academy Awards, 2018
Behold: Dame Helen Mirren with her perfectly layered cut and cherry pink lipstick.
23.
Mariah Carey; American Music Awards, 2003
Classic Mariah: Glamorous waves and a warm (ahem) honey glow.
24.
Kirsten Dunst; Academy Awards, 2002
Kirsten Dunst’s soft palette of pinks and purples matches her dress perfectly.
25.
Rihanna; Oceans 8 Premiere, 2018
Who but Rihanna can make purple lipstick look this good?
26.
Gwyneth Paltrow; Academy Awards, 2002
Gwyneth stole the show (the “show” in this case being the Academy Awards) with her navy blue smoky eye and accent braid.
27.
Jennifer Connelly; Academy Awards, 2002
Jennifer Connelly makes a strong case for minimalist hair and makeup here.
28.
Jada Pinkett Smith; Girls Trip Premiere, 2017
Jada’s creamy pink lipstick is offset by her golden eye shadow and twisted updo.
29.
Julia Roberts; People's Choice Awards, 2002
Sleek hair meets simple barrette.
30.
Rooney Mara; UNA Screening, 2017
Fact: Rooney Mara dons a bright red lip better than anyone.
31.
Gemma Chan; GQ Men of the Year Awards, 2018
Brb, adding Gemma Chan’s plum smoky eye and rosy cheeks to our Pinterest board.
32.
Halle Berry; Academy Awards, 2002
Presenting the pixie cut that inspired countless others for years to come.
33.
Hilary Swank; Academy Awards, 2005
When you have an enviably toned back like Swank, a simple bun is more than enough.
34.
Jennifer Aniston; Academy Awards, 2013
Classic Jen: Soft touchable hair, bronzed skin and a slick of nude gloss.
35.
Zendaya; Academy Awards, 2015
Zendaya’s Vivienne Westwood dress and dreadlock hairstyle was so memorable that Mattel decided to create a Barbie in her exact image.
36.
Gina Rodriguez; Golden Globes, 2017
Gina shined at the Golden Globes last year with her glowing skin and a pop of silver liner along the inner corners of her eyes. (OK, the sequined dress helped.)
37.
Penelope Cruz; Academy Awards, 2009
Penelope channeling some serious Audrey Hepburn (à la Breakfast at Tiffany's) vibes.
38.
Sarah Jessica Parker; Academy Awards, 2009
We’re not sure what we love more here: SJP’s mermaid waves or her kohl-rimmed eyes.
39.
Emily Ratajkowski; Academy Awards, 2017
We’re pretty sure the whole monochromatic makeup trend blew up after Emily Ratajkowski showed up at the Academy Awards looking like a bronzed goddess.
40.
Angelina Jolie; Academy Awards, 2009
The voluminous half-up hairstyle, soft cat eye and plush lips: This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we watch the red carpet.
41.
Britney Spears; MTV Video Music Awards, 2001
2001: When Britney ruled all with her smoked-out eyes and bombshell waves.

42.
Rashida Jones; Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2012
Rashida’s sleek angled lob and eye-skimming bangs prove that red carpet hair doesn’t always look stuffy.
43.
Evan Rachel Wood; Academy Awards, 2009
Evan Rachel Wood’s swept-up bun and fluttery lashes evoke another era.
44.
Janelle Monae; Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2017
Janelle Monae is a red carpet queen (with a crown as proof).
45.
Natalie Portman; Academy Awards, 2011
When Natalie Portman showed up at the Academy Awards in 2011, we no longer questioned whether pregnancy glow was a real thing.
46.
Freida Pinto; Past Forward Premiere; 2016
We love the way Freida juxtaposed her soft blue dress with bright magenta lips and rows of braids.
47.
Uma Thurman; Academy Awards, 2006
Uma arrived at the 78th Academy Awards looking every bit as gilded as one of its coveted statues.
48.
Tessa Thompson; Annihilation Premiere, 2018
Tessa Thompson kept it modern at a recent premiere with a slash of graphic eyeliner on an otherwise bare face.
49.
Olivia Munn; Past Forward Premiere, 2016
Browns and taupes will always be classic, but there’s something to be said for electric blue liner.
50.
Madonna; Academy Awards, 2001
Saving the best for last: Here’s Madonna as Marilyn Monroe at the 63rd Academy Awards.
