Zendaya wearing a gold jacket, glittery eyeshadow and a golden septum piercing
Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Beauty

Zendaya’s Beauty Evolution, From TV Teen To Movie Megastar

See all of her best beauty looks throughout the years.

by Lauren Rearick
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Going from Disney Channel to gritty HBO drama, Zendaya has had quite the career trajectory. Once an adorable young voice on Victorious, her career has catapulted, resulting in heroic Marvel roles and her own collection of clothing done in collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger. Throughout this time, Zendaya has also transformed, and as her beauty evolution shows, she's not afraid to try out a new look, even when that means finding a fashionable way to wear a mullet.

Ahead, scroll through a decade of Zendaya's most memorable beauty moments, beginning with one of her earliest appearances, and continuing with highlights from the Met Gala and numerous award shows. From beautiful braids to a surprise platinum blonde moment, follow along with Zendaya's beauty evolution.

Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic
2010, Tinker Bell And The Great Fairy Rescue Screening

In one of her first public appearances, Zendaya looked adorable with her curls and hair clip.

Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
2011, 9th annual Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood party

Zendaya started to embrace the art of red carpet glam, wearing blue liner and an intricate updo.

Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
2013, Keep A Child Alive's 20th annual Dream Halloween

Her long hair was back in 2013, and this time, she had a dramatic side bang, too.

Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images
2014, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall

Zendaya paired berry lips with a black bandana and a sleek, face-framing lob.

Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images
2014, 27th Annual Kids' Choice Awards

Zendaya had fun with this look, which featured blunt bangs, a top bun, and bold red lipstick.

JB Lacroix/WireImage
2014, Teen Vogue's 12th Annual Young Hollywood Issue launch party

Zendaya hid her hair under a large black hat, but she left a few pieces out. She wore the hat with minimal makeup and a glossy lip.

Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage
2014, American Music Awards

This look featured lots of surprises, including a fake nose ring, peach lips, and long, voluminous curls.

Steve Granitz/WireImage
2015, 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Zendaya bid a temporary farewell to her long hair, showing up at the Grammys with a pixie cut and metallic lipstick.

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage
2015, 87th Annual Academy Awards

Zendaya wore locs in different shades of brown, and pined one section of the style behind her ear.

Photo by John Shearer/WireImage
2016, 8th GRAMMY Awards

Her once shaggy cut was transformed into a chic mullet for the Grammys. She also added a light nude pink lip and a touch of black liner.

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
2016, 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Back to brown, Zendaya wore her hair in a short wave cut. She kept the glam going with a smoky eye and pink lip.

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
2017, Met Gala

Stunning at the Met Gala, Zendaya wore brushed out, voluminous curls and orange lipstick.

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage
2017, 3rd Annual InStyle Awards

Zendaya wore an afro, long lashes, and a neutral-colored lip for this throwback beauty moment.

Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
2017, The Fashion Awards

In a truly unexpected beauty move, Zendaya debuted a platinum blonde pixie cut.

Photo by Rabbani & Solimene Photography/Getty Images
2018, Met Gala

It was another memorable Met Gala for Zendaya. The star wore her hair in a red bob that hit just above her shoulders.

Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage
2018, GQ Men of the Year Awards

Zendaya wore the wet, slick hairstyle trend along with dark purple eyeshadow.

Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage
2019, Spider-Man: Far From Home Photocall

Zendaya made beauty news when she revealed long, red hair for this 2019 photocall.

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images
2019, 71st Emmy Awards

Keeping her long red hair, Zendaya styled it with a side-part and soft curls.

Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage
2020, 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards

The red hair was no more when Zendaya wore waist-length braids to the 2020 Critics' Choice Awards. She kept her makeup in shades of pink, including bright pink eyeshadow and a pink lip.

Want even more celebrity beauty evolutions? Check out the iconic evolution of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and the ponytail-filled beauty history of Ariana Grande.