The Best Grammy Awards Beauty Moments of All Time

The Citizen

4 years ago

The Grammy Awards red carpet isn’t just about the clothes. Take a closer look, and you’ll find that some stars make just as much of a statement with beauty, like Cyndi Lauper trying so-called Euphoria makeup on for size decades before the show even existed, and Rosalía forever keeping it interesting with her nails. But you don’t always have to look that closely: Dolly Parton’s voluminous platinum-blonde locks, for example, were impossible to miss in the ceremony’s early years. And as much as we love a statement, Ciara is living proof that a natural look can be just as interesting. Take a look back at the awards show’s best beauty moments, from David Bowie’s blush-and-orange coif to Adele’s signature red lip and cat eyes, here.

Aretha Franklin, 1970

Aretha Franklin celebrated what would amount to a total of 18 wins over the years wearing shimmery pastel blue eye shadows and a nude lip.

Cher, 1974

With sleek straight hair, bold purple eyeshadow, and luminous, sun-kissed skin, Cher positively glowed at the ceremony in 1974.

Bette Midler, 1974

Bette Milder showed up to celebrate her win for Best New Artist wearing voluminous, brushed-out curls; dark, smoky eyes; and era-appropriate thin eyebrows.

David Bowie, 1975

David Bowie wore just the right amount of blush when going glam rock in the mid-’70s.

Dolly Parton, 1977

It was all about hair for Dolly Parton—an 11-time Grammy winner and 51-time nominee—in the ‘70s.

Tina Turner, 1982

Tina Turner nailed the red lip at the 24th annual ceremony, where she also changed it up with tousled bangs.

Cyndi Lauper, 1984

Cyndi Lauper was doing so-called Euphoria makeup decades before the show premiered.

Whitney Houston, 1986

Whitney Houston went curly on top, wavy on bottom and changed up the classic red with a coral lip.

Gloria Estefan, 1990

Gloria Estefan managed to radiate as brightly as her gold dress despite wearing a dark mauve lip.

Mariah Carey, 1991

Mariah Carey reached Sarah Jessica Parker-level curl goals in 1991.

Selena, 1994

Celebrating her first Grammy win, the late Selena nailed casual glamour with a sparkly evening gown and messy updo.

Gwen Stefani, 1998

Gwen Stefani epitomized the ’90s with a playful take on Bantu knots and thin eyebrows in ’98.

Fiona Apple, 1998

Fiona Apple added a literal twist to her signature grungy ’90s style in ’98.

Celine Dion, 1999

Keeping it simple with a middle part and plain white gown, Celine Dion put the focus on her lavender frosted eyes.

Jennifer Lopez, 2000

J.Lo made so many waves with her Versace dress in 2000, it was easy to miss out on the eyeshadow she wore to subtly complement it.

Alicia Keys, 2004

A glowing Alicia Keys expertly accented her eye makeup with a touch of silver, adding to the shimmer of her wet-look updo.

Madonna, 2006

Madonna threw it back to the ’70s with blonde licks that flipped out over her eyebrows during one of the rare years she wasn’t a nominee.

Florence Welch, 2011

Florence Welch cut her signature fiery bangs just short enough to give a peek at her lengthy lashes.

Adele, 2012

Adele was in true Adele form when she took home no fewer than six Grammys in the beauty look we’ve associated her with ever since: heavy lashes, winged liner, and a red lip.

Rihanna, 2013

Rihanna took a note from Adele with tousled locks, heavy black liner, and red lips that matched her gown in 2013.

Miley Cyrus, 2014

Miley Cyrus kept it natural at the 56th annual ceremony, putting the focus on her blonde pixie cut.

Ciara, 2014

Ciara nailed so-called natural beauty with a tousled updo and nude lip that same year.

Beyoncé, 2014

Beyoncé debuted a blonde ombré bob while wearing a sumptuous shade of red lipstick.

Lady Gaga, 2015

Lady Gaga was in true form when she hit the red carpet with silvery hair and glittery eyeshadow to match.

Taylor Swift, 2016

Taylor Swift channeled Anna Wintour with an immaculate blonde bob. Rather than match her top, she went with a more uncommon shade of pink lipstick to complete the look.