The Most Unforgettable Red Carpet Beauty Looks of All Time

Posted by Alyssa Tria on August 10, 2018

All red carpet makeup looks are pretty — that just goes without saying — but not all of them are iconic. So we appreciate an A-lister who isn’t afraid to make a take a beauty risk and make it her own.

To get you inspired for your next time out, we’ve gathered a list of our favourite celebrity looks. From Audrey Hepburn’s bold brows to Charlize Theron’s sun-kissed skin to Rihanna’s edgy Met Gala makeup, scroll through 20 of the most memorable red carpet looks of all time.

Getty Images

1 of 20

Audrey Hepburn, 1954

Accepting the Best Actress award, the Roman Holiday star shined on stage with her framed fringes and her iconic bold brows.

Get the look: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, $23.
Getty Images

2 of 20

Barbra Streisand, 1969

Streisand won the Best Actress award for her work in Funny Girl, but her scandalous see-through dress stole the show that evening. The unforgettable fit was paired with her fluffy, volume-rooted bob.

Get the look: Moroccanoil Root Boost, $32.
Getty Images

3 of 20

Lauren Hutton, 1975

Before “lobs” were officially a thing, Hutton styled her shoulder-length locks in effortless waves for the Oscars.

Get the look: IGK Beach Club Texture Spray, $35.
Getty Images

4 of 20

Farrah Fawcett, 1978

The 70’s beauty icon wore her trademark feathered layers to present the Academy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing.

Get the look: T3 Volumizing Hot Roller Luxe, $149.
Getty Images

5 of 20

Cher, 1986

When the Academy asked her to present the award for Best Supporting Actor, the singer stole the show with a jewel-encrusted headpiece and bright purple eye makeup.

Get the look: Maybelline Eyestudio Colour Plush Silk Eyeshadow Quad Palette in Purple Icon, $12.
Getty Images

6 of 20

Daryl Hannah, 1988

Hannah was all glam at the Oscars when she walked onto the red carpet rocking tousled platinum locks and sultry berry-coloured lip.

Get the look: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bacca, $29.
Getty Images

7 of 20

Winona Ryder, 1996

Emulating 1920’s chic, the actress walked onto the red carpet wearing vintage finger waves and a soft nude lip.

Get the look: Salon Care 4-Inch Metal Wave Clamp, $3.
Getty Images

8 of 20

Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999

Looking like a ballerina princess, Paltrow accepted her Best Actress award for her work in Shakespeare in Love rocking a clean, smooth, elegant low-bun.

Get the look: Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Smoothing Styling Milk, $22.
Getty Images

9 of 20

Halle Berry, 2002

Keeping the focus on her sheer, floral-embroidered Elie Saab gown, Berry kept her makeup fresh and simple by highlighting her luminous skin.

Get the look: The Ordinary Serum Foundation, $7.
Getty Images

10 of 20

Charlize Theron, 2004

Like a Greek goddess, Theron walked onto the Golden Globes red carpet wearing a sparkly Dior gown and a waved bob, which highlighted her sun-kissed skin.

Get the look: Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave, $58.
Getty Images

11 of 20

Michelle Williams, 2006

Proof that bold is better, Williams topped off her canary yellow look with a true-red lip.

Get the look: Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayon in Tomato Red, $34.
Getty Images

12 of 20

Lady Gaga, 2010

Gaga had all eyes on her at the Grammy Awards when she arrived wearing yellow platinum waves, metallic green smokey shadow and a bubblegum-pink lip.

Get the look: MAC Liptensity Lipstick in Gumball, $26.
Getty Images

13 of 20

Beyoncé, 2011

Announcing her pregnancy on the red carpet, Beyoncé wore a one-sleeved gown by Lanvin, which paired beautifully with her loose one-sided ponytail.

Get the look: Invisibobble Original Crystal Clear Hair Ring, $10.
Getty Images

14 of 20

Miley Cyrus, 2012

Looking like a young Marilyn Monroe, Cyrus graced the Oscars with her curly bob, ruby red lips and her flirty Bambi lashes.

Get the look: Velour Lashes Flash It!, $29 USD.
Getty Images

15 of 20

Katy Perry, 2013

Pulling inspiration from Priscilla Presley, the pop singer showed to the Grammys with a voluminous vintage blowout and velvety skin.

Get the look: Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Foundation, $13
Getty Images

16 of 20

Blake Lively, 2014

Lively had all jaws dropped when she arrived at The Met looking like old Hollywood incarnate in a nude Gucci gown, which didn’t take away from her dramatic eye makeup and luscious blonde locks.

Get the look: John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder In-shower Lightening Treatment.
Getty Images

17 of 20

Felicity Jones, 2015

With a look inspired by Joan of Arc, The Theory of Everything actress walked onto the Oscar red carpet with blunt bangs that showcased her glamorous smoked out eyes.

Get the look: Dior Long-wear Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil, $35
Getty Images

18 of 20

Kim Kardashian West, 2016

To pair with her futuristic Balmain gown, Kardashian bleached her brows and beautifully balanced out the look with a classic nude lipstick.

Get the look: Sephora Collection Retractable Brow Pencil, $16.
Getty Images

19 of 20

Ruth Negga, 2007

Taking red carpet magic to the next level, Negga arrived at the Oscars in all red. Her monochromatic look consisted of a crimson lip, bright cheeks and a smouldering red eye look.

Get the look: Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Candeur et Experience, $61.
Getty Images

20 of 20

Rihanna, 2018

Dressed up like the Pope in a jewel-encrusted ensemble by Maison Margiela, Rihanna stay true to the MET Gala Catholic theme and highlighted her cheekbones to the heavens and wore a dusty rose lip.

Get the look: Fenty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick, $23.
start over

Next Gallery
How to Be Body Positive in the Modern Age
More Galleries

The Most Unforgettable Red Carpet Beauty Looks of All Time

Audrey Hepburn, 1954

Barbra Streisand, 1969

Lauren Hutton, 1975

Farrah Fawcett, 1978

Cher, 1986

Daryl Hannah, 1988

Winona Ryder, 1996

Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999

Halle Berry, 2002

Charlize Theron, 2004

Michelle Williams, 2006

Lady Gaga, 2010

Beyoncé, 2011

Miley Cyrus, 2012

Katy Perry, 2013

Blake Lively, 2014

Felicity Jones, 2015

Kim Kardashian West, 2016

Ruth Negga, 2007

Rihanna, 2018

How to Be Body Positive in the Modern Age

More Galleries

12 Ways to Naturally Ward Off Wrinkles

Festival Makeup: Caribana Beauty Tips to Take…

20 Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight

5 Mistakes You’re Making with Coconut Oil (an…