Lady Gaga's Beauty Evolution
Back in 2008, when Lady Gaga first made a splash in the music scene with the instant hit “Just Dance”, we had a unshakeable feeling that she was destined to go down in history as one of the greats. Besides the fact that all her tracks made you want to get up and dance (and still do!), Gaga quickly gained beauty fans, thanks to her Rapunzel-status platinum mane and the glittery, Ziggy Stardust-inspired lightning bolt she rocked as the ultimate party makeup. Little did we know, that was just the beginning of Gaga’s no-holds-barred experimentation with different facets of beauty. She’s dabbled in everything from extreme cat eyes to baby bangs, and her wig collection is one of the most colorful we’ve ever seen. After all, she’s unapologetically Gaga.
Though her glam style has somewhat softened over the years, we still get pumped to see what look Lady Gaga will go for each time she’s slated to step on the red carpet or perform. Click through the slides to see some of her most intriguing looks to date.
1/30Some of these will have you saying, "Oh my Gaga!"
Photo: Getty Images2/30October 2008
Lady Gaga prides herself on not playing by typical beauty rules — hence her use of bright eyeshadow as blush. Her look is totally out of this world, but her long mane and chunky bangs bring it back to planet Earth.
Photo: Getty Images3/30April 2009
Gone are Gaga’s ultra-long strands, but this new cropped cut somehow looks even cooler.
Photo: Getty Images4/30September 2009
Half of her face may be obscured by gold foil, but Gaga proves that darker-than-dark shadow doesn’t have to look like your eyes are being sucked into a black hole. Tumbles of pink-tinged curls top off the look.
Photo: Getty Images5/30November 2009
The star has mastered the art of making her eyes look infinitely bigger — just take a look at her carefully contoured smoky eyes and big, butterfly lashes.
Photo: Getty Images6/30January 2010
Take a second glance, and you’ll notice that’s not a hat, but hair! Gaga’s gravity-defying style was the talk of the town, and rightfully so.
Photo: Getty Images7/30January 2010
The Grammys brought out a brand-new shade of hair for Gaga: Highlighter-yellow strands melt into a bright blonde hue at her roots.
Photo: Getty Images8/30February 2010
The pearly accouterments stuck to the singer’s face prove to be the perfect accessory to her porcelain skin and snowy blonde hair. We take our hats off to you for this look, Gaga.
Photo: Getty Images9/30Septemeber 2010
Another day, another hair color (or two). This time around, Lady Gaga goes for a pastel purple hue with accents of bright blue.
Photo: Getty Images10/30May 2011
A classic red lip anchors Gaga’s Cruella Deville-esque mane, while blunt bangs finish off her look.
Photo: Getty Images11/30June 2011
Gaga gives face in a neon blue wig. A cherry-red pout and painted brows add to her red-carpet allure.
Photo: Getty Images12/30November 2011
Lady Gaga’s look basically says “go for it.” Her sparkle-speckled brows and lips give off a cool, futuristic kind of vibe.
Photo: Getty Images13/30November 2011
This look is surprisingly simple, given Gaga’s usual aesthetic. Her long, flowing blonde hair is almost as long as Rapunzel's.
Photo: Getty Images14/30August 2013
Lady Gaga eases up on elaborate face makeup, going for a healthy glow instead. We love her slept-in, peanut butter-colored hair.
Photo: Getty Images15/30August 2013
Gaga’s jet-black strands are a serious departure from the colorful wigs we’ve seen in the past.
Photo: Getty Images16/30November 2013
Lady Gaga looks every bit the modern-day Rapunzel with waist-grazing strands and a fresh face that’s practically makeup-free.
Photo: Getty Images17/30January 2014
New year, new 'do. Gaga debuts glossy pink lips and a new, much shorter cut that’s infused with a pretty sheen.
Photo: Getty Images18/30March 2014
Gaga’s never looked as quite polished as she does at the 2014 Oscars — and we love it. Flawless skin, long lashes, and a romantic chignon make for an award-winning look.
Photo: Getty Images19/30February 2015
One constant in Gaga's beauty playbook? She always bucks the rules and does her own thing. Have you ever seen a hair and makeup combination as cool as this one?
Photo: Getty Images20/30February 2015
Lady Gaga adopts another ultra-glam look with her strands pulled back into a bun, while rocking a shiny red lip the same shade as her hair accessory.
Photo: Getty Images21/30September 2015
Gaga keeps thing relatively simple at the 2015 Emmys. Her pore-free complexion is total skin goals.
Photo: Getty Images22/30September 2015
Forever the avant-garde beauty icon, Lady Gaga test-drives bleached brows as light as her flowing blonde strands — and nails the look.
Photo: Getty Images23/30February 2016
On the red carpet at the 2016 Grammy’s, Gaga’s flaming red hair and bright blue shadow hint at her later tribute to musical legend, David Bowie.
Photo: Getty Images24/30February 2016
Gaga is definitely skilled at the smize. The shimmering copper shadow swept liberally across her lids just may be the key…
Photo: Getty Images25/30May 2016
Lady Gaga’s look for the 2016 Met Gala had ‘80s Madonna vibes written all over it, given her darker brows, an eye-catching red lipstick, and a crimped bouffant.
Photo: Getty Images26/30November 2016
Gaga saves the drama for her eyes, opting for a pearly eyeshadow and covetable chunky lashes.
Photo: Getty Images27/30December 2016
The star has scaled back on extreme makeup, but her cat eye here is nothing short of major.
Photo: Getty Images28/30February 2017
Lady Gaga shocked America when she somehow managed to pull off a makeup change mid-performance at this year’s Super Bowl.
Photo: Getty Images29/30February 2017
It’s practically impossible to pick a favorite between Gaga’s multi-toned strands and metallic eye makeup. Regardless, this may be her best look ever.
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