Jennifer Lopez's Beauty Evolution, From the '90s to Today

From the Bronx to the red carpet, see J.Lo's most memorable looks.

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

She sings, she acts, she dances. Jennifer Lopez does it all. Over the course of her three-decade career, the performing artist has always managed to leave us entertained (see: heart-fluttering rom-coms, epic Super Bowl halftime performance, stunning red carpet moments) and coming back for more. Her imposing talent and arresting beauty make her one of the most successful and sought-after celebs in the industry. To celebrate the icon (and perhaps stoke our obsession even further), we are taking a look back at her most memorable beauty looks to date.

Keep scrolling for Jennifer Lopez's beauty evolution from the '80s to today.

01 of 25

1987

Jennifer Lopez pixie cut and eyeliner in her high school yearbook
Yearbook Archives

Lopez graduated from Preston High School in the Bronx with big dreams. "I remember watching Rita Moreno in West Side Story and going, 'That's what I want to do. I want to sing and I want to dance and I want to act,'" she said.

02 of 25

1997

Jennifer Lopez with voluminous curls and dark red lipstick
Steve Granitz/Retna

Lopez landed the title role in Selena. "Our styles are very different," she said of playing the singer. "I'm into a more minimalist look. But part of getting into character for me was to look in the mirror and see her face and not my own."

03 of 25

2000

Jennifer Lopez in her famous Versace gown, blue eyeshadow, and long brown hair worn half up
Jeff Vespa/WireImage

She stole the show at the Grammys in a down-to-there Versace dress. "Sometimes I like to be glamorous and sexy in a Marilyn Monroe type of way," Lopez has said.

04 of 25

2006

Jennifer Lopez with long, curly brown hair with caramel highlights
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

Mrs. Marc Anthony settled into married life and began "making her appearance a little more natural," makeup artist Scott Barnes has said. Big caramel curls balanced out her understated look.

05 of 25

2007

Jennifer Lopez with face-framing curls and '60s-inspired makeup
Evan Agostini/Getty

Lopez attended the El Cantante premiere wearing '60s-inspired pale shadow, major lashes, and soft ringlets.

06 of 25

2008

Jennifer Lopez with red lipstick, fully-rimmed eyes, long lashes, and sleek curls
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

On February 22, the superstar gave birth to twins, Max and Emme. But with fiery red lips, fully-rimmed eyes, and sleek retro curls, her vibe is more Jessica Rabbit than new mom.

07 of 25

2009

Jennifer Lopez with a sleek updo, peach gloss, and blue eye makeup
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

The busy mother of twins went all out for an Inauguration gala with a high-glamour updo, peach gloss, and dramatic blue eye makeup.

08 of 25

2009

Jennifer Lopez long shag haircut with bangs
Jun Sato/ WireImage

J.Lo freshened up her look with a shag haircut and blunt fringe. Their length and texture work to complement her diamond face shape by creating softness.

09 of 25

2010

Jennifer Lopez with a slicked-back bun, nude lipstick, and voluminous lashes
Gustavo Caballero/WireImage

Back in full force, Lopez released her seventh album, Love?, and starred in The Back-Up Plan. With a grueling work schedule, she opted for a more low-maintenance beauty look, albeit one that still slays. Her slicked-back bun and nude lips allow the focus to fall on her dramatic lashes.

10 of 25

2010

Jennifer Lopez long, voluminous waves, smoky eye, and glossy lips
Christopher Polk/Getty

The singer experimented with voluminous curls at the Grammy Awards. A bold smoky eye and glossy lips took her to diva-level new heights.

11 of 25

2010

Jennifer Lopez messy updo and lavender eyeshadow

Lopez exuded romance as she attended the Academy Awards sporting a messy updo and soft lavender shadow.

12 of 25

2011

Jennifer Lopez long, layered, caramel-colored hair
Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Gillette Venus

The American Idol judge let her locks flow, telling us: "I'm a Leo, so I need my mane." To get her hair's volume and body, opt for long layers.

13 of 25

2011

Jennifer Lopez long, loose waves and earth-toned makeup
Rex

For a BAFTA event, Lopez sported a warm, radiant complexion that she complemented with earth-toned makeup. Call it her J.Lo glow.

14 of 25

2012

Jennifer Lopez long curly sombre hair with glitter eye makeup
AKM-GSI

Lopez worked spiral curls while on tour in support of her latest album. Their color melt sombré effect is stylish sans effort.

15 of 25

2013

Jennifer Lopez side-parted long retro curls, smoky eye makeup, and nude lip
Jason Merritt/Getty Images

According to hairstylist Lorenzo Martin, the actress's deep side part modernized her old Hollywood waves for the Golden Globes. After curling small sections with a one-inch iron, Martin pinned and set each section, waiting 15 minutes before brushing through the curls, parting the hair, and finishing with styling spray.

16 of 25

2013

Jennifer Lopez sleek topknot, shimmer eyeshadow, and graphic liner
Steve Granitz/WireImage

Lopez heated up the red carpet at the Grammys with a sleek top knot and graphic eyeliner.

17 of 25

2014

Jennifer Lopez caramel-colored feathered layers with voluminous lashes and bright red lipstick
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

The American Idol judge sported her signature voluminous mane with feathered layers. Her voluminous lashes and bright red pout are what make this look next-level.

18 of 25

2015

Jlo purple smoky eye and high ponytail
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The singer opted for a messy high ponytail, aubergine smoky eye, and nude lip that we're still dreaming out. If you have brown eyes, a purple shadow can really help to make their color pop.

19 of 25

2016

Jennifer Lopez long straight hair with nude lip and shimmery brown eye makeup
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Lopez went for a sleek, straight look at a screening of Ice Age: Collision Course, keeping her eyeshadow and lip color neutral, albeit with shimmer and shine.

20 of 25

2017

Jennifer Lopez updo with curtain bangs, smoky eye, nude lip, and giant hoop earrings

Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic

Jenny from the Block gets a dose of glam with a standout smoky eye. Meanwhile, her curtain bangs give her simple ponytail a little something extra and frame her face beautifully.

21 of 25

2018

Jennifer Lopez face-framing updo with smoky eye and nude lip

Steve Granitz / WireImage

At the American Music Awards, J.Lo seduced us with her sultry stare and glossy nude pout. Her loose, face-framing updo is effortless and adds to her allure.

22 of 25

2019

Jennifer Lopez voluminous honey-blonde curls, smoky eye, and nude lipstick

Jon Kopaloff / WireImage

Lopez pulled out all the stops at the Oscars. From voluminous curls to her tantalizing smoky eye to her lip-gloss-and-liner combo, she oozed Hollywood glamour, but with a modern twist.

23 of 25

2020

Jennifer Lopez wavy wet-look bob with glossy nude lips and smoky eye

Emma McIntyre / AMA2020 / Getty Images for dcp

In 2020 — and beyond — everyone was doing wet-look hair, J.Lo included. Hers has got honey-blonde color, undulating texture, and a collarbone-grazing length that hits just right.

24 of 25

2021

Jennifer Lopez half-up, half-down long sandy brown hair with lip gloss and smoky eye

Steve Granitz / FilmMagic

Half-up, half-down hairstyles are the best of both worlds. Curl ends outward a bit to add some flirty flair.

25 of 25

2022

Jennifer Lopez slicked-back updo with baby hair detail, shimmery eye makeup, and pink lip gloss

Theo Wargo / WireImage

J.Lo's long slicked-back 'do and on-point eye makeup are drop-dead gorgeous. Also noteworthy is her baby hair detail which is styled to perfection.

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