When People asked a mini Selena Gomez to describe her style back in 2009, she answered, “80-year old woman.” She was kidding, but also not completely. And, as beauty trajectories go, the advanced M.O. has served her well.
Unlike many of her peers, Gomez's red carpet evolution is noticeably absent of rainbow hair or fleeting makeup trends. Instead, she opts for classics like old-Hollywood waves, soft updos, smoky eyes, and crimson lips. Still, she’s managed to pull off sophisticated beauty without appearing pearl-clutchingingly conservative. The secret? Modernizing the looks with an edgy outfit, like this Atelier Versace number.
The strategy has served as a best case scenario for transitioning from Disney tween to graceful megastar. Ahead, the unexpected leader of old school shows us how it’s done, 17 different ways.
Loose curls around the face, glossy red lips, and flushed cheeks kept Gomez looking youthful but glam at a 2009 movie premiere.
Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/Getty Images.
So nice, she wore it twice: For this 2009 red carpet, Selena softened the look with bigger curls and more natural-looking makeup.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/TCA 2010/Getty Images.
A fresh take on old-Hollywood waves and tightlined eyes made for a radiant red carpet look at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/TCA 2010/Getty Images.
In 2011, Gomez jumped on the ombré lob train — but in the softest, most subtle way. A rosy flush on lips and cheeks made her complexion glow.
Photo: Marcel Thomas/Getty Images.
We love how Gomez offset her romantic makeup look with a messy, textured updo at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
At the 2011 American Music Awards, Gomez took the elements of a classic red carpet look (smoky eye, full lashes, glossy waves) and upgraded them by replacing typical red lips with a fresh coral shade.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/AMA2011/Getty Images.
We love the orange statement lip almost as much as the off-the-charts confidence that Gomez exuded at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards.
Photo: George Pimentel/Getty Images.
Is it just us or can you actually see your reflection in Gomez's glossy mane? Her 2013 strands had us Googling “how to get really shiny hair now.”
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
The Selena super-braid made us fangirls back in 2013 — and it’s giving us a similar feel now. Even if we don’t have the length (or extensions) to replicate this long, reverse-French number, it’s motivating us to get our braid on (the easy way).
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
We're nominating this copper-kissed balayage (from the summer of 2013) for Gomez's hair hall-of-fame.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
Her slit-up-to-there Versace gown was a serious showstopper and so was the makeup. A bright berry lip, softly bronzed skin, and clean, flicked-out liner made this look 100% Selena.
Simple, center-parted hair (worn here in 2014) not only became a major trend during 2015’s award season, but the look serves as a perfect compliment to a bright red lip and mega lashes. Oh, and can we talk about those matching earrings for a sec?
Photo: JB Lacroix/Getty Images.
Gomez shocked Instagram fans when she chopped her waist-length hair into a layered lob in 2015. When styled with Kim Basinger-like, peek-a-boo bangs weeks later, we were instantly smitten.
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images.
A side ponytail is a never-fail hairstyle that Selena pulls off flawlessly.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/AMA2011/Getty Images.
Deep, luscious locks paired with smoldering smoky eyes makes for a red carpet look for the books.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images.
Matchy-matchy was the standout beauty trend at the 2015 American Music Awards and Selena was right on time with a hard-to-pull off blood-red eye to match her nails and Givenchy dress.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/AMA2015/Getty Images.
Our favorite part about Selena’s 2016 Grammys look? It was created with drugstore makeup — and the genius hands of makeup artist Linda Hay.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images.
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