These are the best red carpet beauty looks of all time
This year's red carpet season is now in full swing, albeit a virtual version of the traditional grand soirees. With it comes some stunning beauty looks, from fancy updos to statement makeup looks that are bound to blaze a trail of the beauty trends that will dominate over the next twelve months.
We've already seen neon eyeshadow on Nicola Coughlan and classic red lipstick on Margot Robbie at the Golden Globes last month, as well as graphic blue eyeliner on Yara Shahidi and Anya Taylor Joy's long, lustrous, platinum hair at the Critics' Choice Awards. Plus, at the Grammy Awards, singer Doja Cat proves the the mullet is officially back, Megan Thee Stallion channels classic Hollywood beauty with a sophisticated updo, and Billie Eilish matched her nails to her outfit (again!). And we still have the Brit Awards and Oscars to look forward to for more show-stopping beauty looks.
Each red carpet event has its own unique vibe, with the legacy award ceremonies like the Oscars tending to be more formal and traditional, and as a result, the beauty looks have tended to be more classic and reminiscent of old school glamour. Then there's the more relaxed events like the Critics' Choice Awards, which always allow celebrities to be a bit more daring in their hair and makeup choices (cue the neon eyeshadow). Then, there's Met Gala, which deserves an entire category to itself for its guests' whimsical interpretations of its unique annual themes, which have ranged from "Camp: Notes on Fashion" in 2019 to "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" in 2018.
While we wait for the next instalment of red carpet wonder, we thought we would take a look back at all the classic, bold, experimental and legendary beauty looks that have made headlines from all the years gone by. From Lady Gaga's numerous Met Gala creations (including those eyelashes), to Rihanna's bejewelled headscarf and smoky eyes at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards, to Sienna Miller's boho braids at the Golden Globes in 2007 and Halle Berry's understated elegance at the 2002 Oscars.
Getty ImagesRihanna - CFDA Fashion Awards 2014
Rihanna captivated the world with this now illustrious 'naked dress', accompanied by a crystal-encrusted headscarf, smokey eyes and an elegant nude lip.
Getty ImagesBeyoncé - The Lion King Premiere in 2019
From the reflective beading of her tuxedo to the intricate braided kiss curls, Beyoncé's entire look from The Lion King premiere is ultimate goals.
Getty ImagesKim Kardashian - Met Gala 2019
Kim's dedication to her underwater look was admirable, from the wavy, wet hair to the glossy eyelids and glistening skin.
Gigi Hadid - Met Gala 2019
Frosted lashes and a gold, silver and white headdress made entirely of sequins? We couldn't not include Gigi's Met Gala beauty look in our ultimate round up.
Lady Gaga - Met Gala 2019
Never one to do things by halves, Lady Gaga wowed not only with a strip tease of four outfits as she walked the pink carpet at the Met Gala 2019, but also with her extreme, 3D, multi-layered lashes.
Billie Eilish - Oscars 2020
Dripping in head-to-toe Chanel, Billie sparked a worldwide beauty trend for brightly coloured roots that is popular today.
Janelle Monae - Oscars 2020
Janelle Monae epitomised elegance and glamour with this bejewelled hood and timeless red lip.
Dua Lipa - Grammy Awards 2020
Bringing the 90s back in full force, Dua Lipa's Grammy Awards look deserves recognition - the precision of the hair, the blue eye shadow and the brown, nude lip work seamlessly together.
Getty ImagesBilly Porter - Grammy Awards 2020
Billy Porter always looks fabulous on every red carpet, but especially in 2020, when he wore a frosted blue statement eyeshadow and a silver lip to the Grammy Awards.
Getty ImagesZendaya - Critics' Choice 2020
Zendaya nailed red carpet beauty with hot pink eyeshadow to match her Tom Ford gown, offset with lighter pink lips and glowy pink blush.
Getty ImagesLupita Nyong'o - Critics Choice 2020
Lupita Nyong'o is our all-time beauty crush and this incredible hair and glowing beauty look from Critics' Choice 2020 didn't disappoint.
Getty ImagesJanelle Monae - Oscars 2017
The stud nail decals with dipped tips, the braided hair, the smoky eye - we are still obsessing over Janelle Monae's look from the Oscars 2017.
Tracee Ellis Ross - Golden Globes 2018
Chic and unique, Tracee Ellis Ross wore a silk Marc Jacobs headdress with thick charcoal winged liner and a velvety red lip at the Golden Globes 2018.
Tracee Ellis Ross at golden globes 2018
Getty ImagesRita Ora - Grammy Awards 2018
Wearing a white flower to raise awareness of the Times Up movement, Rita Ora looked stunning at the Grammy Awards 2018 with a deep plum lip and swept back waves.
Getty ImagesLady Gaga - Grammy Awards 2018
Lady Gaga - Golden Globes 2019
Matching her baby blue Valentino Couture gown, Lady Gaga attended the Golden Globes 2019 with blue streaks through her hair and subtle sparkly navy eyeshadow.
PA PhotosSienna Miller – Golden Globes 2007
Bringing boho to the red carpet, Sienna pioneered ‘halo hair’ in 2007 and the A-list followed. Her sunny blonde braid, sun-kissed, shimmering skin, nude lips and spiky lashes combined to make one of our favourite award looks ever.
PA PhotosLucy Liu – Oscars 2000
The failsafe red carpet formula showcased at its best, Lucy Liu’s side-parted, sleek and shiny hair with subtly smoky eyes and ruby red lips is effortlessly glam.
PA PhotosAngelina Jolie - Oscars 2004
We loved Angelina Jolie's first venture into the world of high-octane Hollywood glamour when the formally goth-embracing actress hit the Oscars red carpet in 2004. The simple half-up, half-down hair flaunts her enviable bone-structure, whilst the soft, feline flick on the eye make-up gives an edge.
PA PhotosHalle Berry – Oscars 2002
This might be one of our favourite red carpet gowns of all time, made all the better with Halle's pixie crop and minimal make-up.
Ethereal and elegant, Emily Blunt's Golden Globes 2019 beauty look worked on every level.
