Mariah Carey has long been known as one of the most glamorous superstars of modern day. With that distinction, it'd be easy to assume that over-the-top makeup and dramatic beauty looks would be her norm, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
For Carey, less was always more when it came to her glam, while her (very of-the-times) experiments with hair still hold up today. Ahead, click through for Mariah Carey's very best beauty looks from the '90s and early aughts.
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1990, Portrait Session
Natural curls, glowing skin, and brushed-up brows were all Carey relied on at the start of her career.
Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
1991, The 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards
Keeping with her natural curls, Carey began to make a classic '90s brown lip and matching eye shadow her go-to glam.
Photo by Ke.Mazur/WireImage
1993, Portrait Session
By '93, Carey began to straighten her hair with soft waves, while also experimenting with thinner brows.
Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage
1993, American Music Awards
Volume, volume, volume was the key to Carey's AMA appearance in '93.
Photo by KMazur/WireImage
1994, Autograph Signing
With more prominent, wispy curtain bangs, Carey worked with a half-up, half-down hair look.
Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images
1996, Photocall
In true late-'90s fashion, Carey went for a bumped ponytail worn out in crimped texture.
Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
1997, Justin's Restaurant Grand Opening
A look straight out of 2020, Carey wore a half-up, half-down ponytail, along with face-framing, two tendril bangs.
Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage
1998, Essence Awards
Carey returned to her classic natural curls with extra volume and honey highlights.
Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
1998, Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
In full glam mode, Carey took the Soul Awards red carpet with choppy layers and high-shine lip gloss.
Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
1999, Tower Records In-Store Appearance
For this in-store appearance, Carey wore laid-back braided pigtails tied together with thick, twisted ties.
Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
2000, Blockbuster Awards
The 2000s arrived, and so did Carey's middle part, face-framing layers, and her skinniest brows yet.
Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)
2001, the Late Show with David Letterman
Carey gave full Farrah Fawcett vibes for this 2001 appearance, wearing her hair long, wavy, and feathered out with bangs to match.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
2001, Glitter Screening
With a nearly bare face, Carey's choppy, piecey bangs were the star of this look.
