Karlie Kloss’s Beauty Evolution: Best Hair and Makeup Looks
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We have a theory that Karlie Kloss can basically do anything. She modeled in her first shoot for Teen Vogue at age 14, then went on to become a Victoria's Secret Angel and star in a slew of ultra-cool campaigns. Not only does the supermodel set trends with every outfit change, serve genius workout wisdom, and constantly give us haircut inspo the likes of which we haven't seen since "The Rachel," but she also spends her spare time baking up gluten-free cookies for charity. Now that's some admirable multitasking.
It goes without saying that Karlie's also caught our attention for her ability to pull off anything in beauty world, from abstract runway eye makeup to the perfect red lip. Whether she's trading in her flowing locks for a chic bob or going from brunette to blonde, she always looks amazing — and completely, totally herself. See all of her best hair and makeup moments, all in one place, below.
Photo: Thomas Schenk1/63February 2008
The two-time Teen Vogue cover girl posed for a prom fashion spread in 2008 (at age 16!) looking as adorable as ever.
Photo: Getty Images2/63February 2009
One year later, she begins her red carpet career in a side-part and updo, keeping things fresh-faced with a super smooth base and a whisper of apricot blush.
Photo: Getty Images3/63July 2010
Here, she lightens up her hair for summer, pairing her sun-kissed strands with dewy skin and a sundress.
Photo: Getty Images4/63December 2010
At a Dior celebration, Karlie goes darker with both her hair and makeup, softly shading in her eyes with gray shadow. The overall look remains fresh thanks to her pink cheeks and insanely glowy skin.
Photo: Getty Images5/63November 2011
Karlie has become somewhat known for being a perpetually bronzed goddess. Note how her face has an overall warmth (the key to making bronzer look natural no matter the season), instead of harsh stripes under the cheeks and on the forehead. To pull off the look despite a bit of winter pallor, choose a foundation that’s one shade darker than your skin, then warm up your contours with a peachy bronzer. (And for extra help, check out our complete guide here.)
Photo: Getty Images6/63November 2011
We need to know Karlie's secrets to soft, shiny strands immediately! These touchable waves are the pinnacle of hair perfection—even better when paired with a glowing cheek and classic liner-and-mascara combo.
Photo: Getty Images7/63January 2012
Now, Karlie beings to enter more daring territory! She dials up the drama with a tomato-red lip and a bolder application of eyeliner. Her super-bright pout contrasts perfectly with her warm eye makeup.
Photo: Getty Images8/63April 2012
What better to wear with a purple dress than a matte mauve lip? She finishes the look off with black liner and the subtlest kitten flick.
Photo: Getty Images9/63April 2012
We can't detect a single flyaway on this chic and sleek bun. When smoothing back hair, add a few drops of shine serum for a mirror-smooth finish like Karlie's. (And don't forget the tightlining and mascara!)
Photo: Getty Images10/63September 2012
A few months later, Karlie looks just as elegant in this slightly less polished updo. To complement the semi-casual style, she ditches the liner for a wash of eyeshadow.
Photo: Getty Images11/63September 2012
This beauty moment captured during Paris Fashion Week is a prime example of the model-off-duty aesthetic: slicked-back hair, flawless skin, and natural brows. This is Karlie at her finest.
Photo: Getty Images12/63October 2012
Still channeling summer in the fall, Karlie models relad beach waves with a peachy cheek. The cat eye gets some lightness with the addition of white shimmer shadow at the inner corner of her eyes.
Photo: Getty Images13/63November 2012
And she cuts it all off! Karlie rocks her now iconic short chop with side-swept bangs and gorgeous piece-y texture. In another rare moment, she frames her eyes with a pair of chic tortoiseshell glasses. (Perhaps foreshadowing her penchant for well-designed eyewear?)
Photo: Getty Images14/63February 2013
At the Grammys, she ups her glamour quotient with smoky eyes, tousled curls, and a creamy nude pout—effectively proving that she can pull off a full face just as well as a bare one.
Photo: Getty Images15/63February 2013
If you've ever wanted to recreate everyone's favorite timeless trend (Parisian chic), here's how: a clean application of red lipstick and winged liner paired with mussed-but-not-messy hair and a menswear-inspired ensemble. (Supermodel legs optional.)
Photo: Getty Images16/63February 2013
Time for some editorial experimentation with this slicked-back hair and graphic eye. To balance out the heavy-handed eye makeup, Karlie keeps her base clean and adds a bold brow.
Photo: Getty Images17/63April 2013
At the MTV Movie Awards, she rocks her on-trend bob with a flick of eyeliner and a slick of pretty orange lipstick, fresh off the runways.
Photo: Getty Images18/63May 2013
Here's all the proof we need that it's totally possible to turn a bob into an updo. Karlie updates her cut with straight-across bangs that just barely graze her cat eye (again with a touch of iridescence at the inner corner).
Photo: Getty Images19/63May 2013
Karlie scores major beauty points for infusing her Met Gala look with color, from the brilliant fuchsia statement lip to her expertly blended eyeshadow. The theme was punk, sure, but she looked prettier than ever.
Photo: Getty Images20/63May 2013
This Cannes look is all about easy glamour, from the windswept hair to the slight sheen on her cheekbones. She keeps the sultry eye makeup daytime-appropriate with plenty of blending and smudged liner.
Photo: Getty Images21/63June 2013
Here's some effective makeup mixing: gray smoky eyes with warm pink on the lips and cheek. If you look closely, you can also see the mix of warm and cool tones above and below the eye, all tied together with some careful tightlining and a little white shimmer.
Photo: Getty Images22/63November 2013
She attends a Coach event in shades of bronze (on the eyes) and mauve-toned nude (on the lips). Thanks to the neutral color palette, her fun, fuzzy vest stands out even more.
Photo: Getty Images23/63January 2014
Who needs eye makeup? Certainly not Karlie, as she shifts the focus to her intense red lip and brushed-out brows.
Photo: Getty Images24/63May 2014
She does a beauty 180 with this polished Met Gala hair and makeup. Arched brows and an updo set off her light blue eyeshadow and mega-bold lashes for a gorgeous, Grace Kelly-inspired look.
Photo: Getty Images25/63May 2014
This may be the most elegant moment we've seen from Karlie yet! She channels ethereal sophistication in a loose ballerina bun and pretty pink cheek. Her brows are filled in a touch more than usual, anchoring her light eye makeup and long lashes.
Photo: Getty Images26/63May 2014
She stuns at Cannes once more with a wavy updo and flushed cheeks. She focuses most of her attention on her base and brows, leaving her eyes only lightly shaded in.
Photo: Getty Images27/63May 2014
Karlie lets down her lob to reveal shiny, smooth waves…the perfect face-framing accessory for darker brows and a daytime smoky eye.
Photo: WireImage28/63October 2014
Hello Karlie! The superstar always goes glam in Paris (as you do), but this rare smoky eye and curled side part is one of her best ever.
Photo: Getty Images29/63November 2014
From au natural to bombshell beauty, Karlie can do it all. Here, she shows us how to pull off something in between with clean glowing skin, white eyeshadow under her brows, and a subtle swipe of black liner.
Photo: Getty Images30/63February 2015
Wearing liner on the bottom of your eyes can be super tricky. By applying it in the waterline and smudging it out slightly (and, of course, keeping the rest of your makeup super simple), Karlie proves it can indeed be done.
Photo: Getty Images31/63June 2015
Karlie makes a matte red lip look effortless and fresh with rosy cheeks and a cool uneven part in her hair. This is summer beauty at its best!
Photo: Getty Images32/63July 2015
This is a super different look for Karlie — which is not a bad thing! The supermodel epitomizes summer chic with glossy beach waves, highlighted cheeks, and a perfectly imperfect smudged smoky eye. We definitely approve.
Photo: FilmMagic33/63October 2015
This French braided updo look is begging to be tried! Karlie gives it an extra oomph with pretty, brushed-up brows, and a dark red lip.
Photo: WireImage34/63February 2016
How cute is this tiny side braid? Add rosy cheeks and pink-nude lipstick and Karlie is picture perfect!
Photo: Getty Images35/63May 2016
The Met Gala is the end-all-be-all for over-the-top glam, making her gelled-down hair and satin lip a sophisticated breath of fresh air.
Photo: FilmMagic36/63May 2016
This may be the epitome of French girl chic. Curled tresses and a black cat-eye are the beauty version of a dress code at the Cannes Film Festival, and she pulls them off with aplomb. Bonus points for the Bardot-esque, velvet hair ribbon!
Photo: Dave Benett/WireImage37/63May 2016
Not sure what to pair with an elaborate gown? Try balancing it out with a clean base and slicked-back hair for a simply chic look.
Photo: Getty Images38/63May 2016
This look is all classic, all the way — from the perfectly applied makeup to the tousled, feathery hair. We love how the side part and vibrant lip work together to create a casually glam vibe.
Photo: FilmMagic39/63June 2016
The brushed-out ‘do Karlie wore to the Serena premiere are the perfect way to bring beach waves into fall.
Photo: WireImage40/63September 2016
Hello, fresh fringe! Karlie tried on bangs for The Daily Front Row’s annual awards…
Photo: Getty Images41/63September 2016
But they wouldn’t last long! Just days later, Karlie stunned at Carolina Herrera’s fashion show with an easy — bang-free — updo.
Photo: Getty Images for New York Fashion Week42/63September 2016
She dialed things way down for the Boss Womenswear show at NYFW, pairing half-polished, half-mussed layers with neutral makeup.
Pierre Suu43/63October 2016
Karlie proves that a beachy bedhead of bangs can work for any event. To recreate the look, try spritzing your hair with a little texture spray, like Verb's Sea Spray.
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Pierre Suu44/63October 2016
Karlie upgrades a low bun with face framing pieces and a glossy berry lip.
Jason LaVeris45/63October 2016
A messy bun and red lip is an easy way to look put-together in under five minutes. Karlie dresses her version up with a hint of highlighter.
Michael Stewart46/63June 2016
Though this was technically for a photoshoot, we're loving Karlie Kloss as a brunette with bangs. The shade is significantly darker than anything we've seen her in before, and she's seriously workin' it.
Anthony Harvey47/63December 2016
Karlie hits the red carpet in London with loose, side-parted waves and a bright red-orange lip. For a similar shade, try Milani Matte Orchid.
Gregg DeGuire48/63November 2016
Consider this a high-fashion version of your gym ponytail. Karlie pulled her hair away from her face to show off a golden smoky eye, XL lashes, and some seriously blingy earrings.
Kevin Mazur49/63February 2017
Marilyn Monroe, is that you? Karlie gives us serious '60s vibes with pin-curl waves, red lips, and shimmery peach blush.
Jamie McCarthy50/63April 2017
Karlie gives us a lesson in black tie topknots at the DVF awards, pairing hers with simple makeup and a mauve-meets-nude lip.
Dimitrios Kambouris51/63June 2017
Karlie lets her hair down at the 2017 CFDA awards with tousled waves and a smoldering smoky eye.
Edward Berthelot52/63July 2017
For most people, July beauty is all about red, white and blue. For Karlie Kloss, it means dark lipstick and a severe side part — and freshly bleached platinum hair.
JB Lacroix53/63February 2017
A lesson in matching your makeup to your dress, courtesy of Karlie at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
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Stefania M. D'Alessandro54/63September 2017
With her hair slicked into a sleek bun, Karlie uses thick black eyeliner on her waterline for the ultimate rocker-inspired look. Try Kat Von D's Lash Liner for a similar effect.
Jim Spellman55/63September 2017
Platinum hair and a radiant complexion make for the ultimate summer beauty moment.
Darren Gerrish56/63September 2017
During Paris Fashion Week, Karlie makes a serious case for the newsboy cap and soft, pink makeup.
Julien Hekimian57/63September 2017
Who says glitter can't be subtle? Karlie dusts the underside of her lashes with some understated purple glitter, adding a serious pop to her otherwise simple style.
George Pimentel58/63May 2018
Karlie shows off her dimensional blonde highlights and adds a pop of color with a coat of red lipstick.
Neil P. Mockford59/63January 2018
In yet another take on her signature blonde waves and red lip, Karlie opts for looser curls and a bright, matte crimson lip.
Taylor Hill60/63November 2017
At the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show afterparty in China, Karlie was glowing with highlighted cheeks and a glossy pink lip seemingly inspired by the brands's signature shade of pink.
Taylor Hill61/63June 2018
Ariana Grande may be the reigning queen of the high ponytail, but at the 2018 CFDA Awards, Karlie showed that a low version tied at the nape of your neck can be just as chic.
Edward Berthelot62/63July 2018
Messy buns have been having a major moment this year thanks to Meghan Markle, and Karlie's take on the look brings it to the top of her head with wispy pieces framing her face. A matte mauve lip color completes the look.
Courtesy of Instagram/@karliekloss63/63July 2018
After announcing her engagement to Joshua Kushner, the model shares what has to be one of the glowiest selfies in modern history. What's her secret?
