The 22 Most Iconic Red Carpet Beauty Looks of All Time
Every year the awards season brings a bumper crop of head-turning red carpet getups, but we can't help but reflect on those standout looks from years—decades—past. Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes might be the coveted prizes over the coming weeks, but let's not discount the ability to stand out in a sea of fellow celebs in couture, all coiffed to perfection. It's impressive! What's even more impressive is if a look can resonate in people's minds for years to come.
There are more than a handful of iconic beauty moments that have managed to stick with us, and we thought it only fitting to pay tribute to them here. From Cher to Madonna, Audrey Hepburn to Zendaya, see our nominees for the most memorable red carpet beauty looks of all time below.
Three words: Brows for days. Get the look with Eyeko's Brow Liner (£15).
Always the epitome of elegance, Grace Kelly's classic approach to beauty has no expiration date.
Some people opt for the tiara-esque headband, but only Elizabeth Taylor could get away with a full-blown crown. (Except Princess Grace, of course.)
Hello, gorgeous. Streisand's head-to-toe mod look remains one of our very favorites.
Those abs are nuts, but we're also eyeing that glossy, center-parted mane. Give your own locks some healthy-looking shine with Bumble and bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil (£32).
The supermodel stepped out at the Academy Awards in a quintessentially '70s look: Healthy, bronzed, and easy-breezy. Get a similar glow with Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel (£32).
No one ever did feathered waves as well as Farrah—as exemplified by this disco-ready look at the 50th annual Academy Awards.
Only the inimitable Cher could make our list twice—and we're pretty sure this headdress alone qualifies as the most memorable accessory in awards show history.
She might be channeling another icon, but leave it to Madonna to make her version just as memorable.
#TBT to Carey's first-ever Grammys, voluminous curls and signature brown lip on display.
We loved every iteration of Winona's pixie, but this '20s-inspired coif might be our very favorite.
Flower appliques. Thin, defined brows. A vampy lip. Baby bangs. Body glitter. This is the '90s, personified.
In the year that she earned Best Actress for her role in Erin Brockovich, Roberts also earned major props for that retro ponytail. (Or she should have, anyway—the fact that every hair stayed in place all evening is nothing short of miraculous.) If you're trying this classic look on for size, just remember that hairspray is your friend. We like R+Co's Vicious, (£24) for strong but flexible hold.
The barely-there, green Versace dress she wore to the Grammys in 2001 might have earned more notoriety, but we also can't forget the va-va-voom bob J.Lo sported at the Academy Awards just a year later.
Everything about this Parisian look—from the red lip to the loose chignon—is just so pretty. Better yet, it works just as well in the office as it does on the red carpet.
Picking just one Gaga look is no easy feat, but this one is particularly emblazoned in our memory. (Maybe it's that neon yellow hair?)
It's hard to believe that just 5 years ago, Jennifer Lawrence was more ingenue than superstar—but this steamy Oscars debut was quite the coming out party. (Try prepping skin with Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream, £23, before applying makeup to get that red carpet-ready glow.)
As much as we live to see Rihanna push the envelope, every now and then she flawlessly reminds us that veering classic can make just as big an impact.
Nyong'o looked like a veritable Princess at her first Oscars—which is just as well, since she left with top honors. Try Jennifer Behr's tiara-esque headbands for a similarly regal look.
B's wavy bob is memorable for a couple of reasons: 1) It arguably launched the hairstyle to peak levels of trend-dom (which, by the way, shows no signs of slowing even now). 2) Just a few minutes later, it was completely drenched during a Flashdance-inspired, ridiculously sexy performance of "Drunk In Love."
But as golden as these moments all are, the future is looking exceedingly bright. (We have our money on Zendaya as the one to watch.)
Which of these looks is your top pick? Did we miss your favourite? Tell us in the comments below.