Jennifer Lopez’s Amazing Beauty Transformation

Never one to shy away from change, Jennifer Lopez has gone from dancer, actress, and singer to devoted mother of two, and her beauty choices are every bit as exciting and evolutionary. Here, her most memorable hair and makeup looks, from the block and beyond.

1986: JUNIOR YEAR AT PRESTON HIGH SCHOOL IN THE BRONX
Lopez has since ditched the feathered hair and modified mullet, but the nude lips and megawatt smile have been her beauty mainstays. Her teen years weren’t her most glam, but, honestly, whose were?

1997: AS SELENA QUINTANILLA PEREZ IN SELENA
As the Latin pop star, Lopez is all curves and confidence with flowing dark hair, wavy bangs, bright red lips, and a serious set of matching nails.

1998: MTV MOVIE AWARDS
Prior to perfecting her red-carpet look (or perhaps before hiring a hairstylist), J. Lo tamed her curls with a stark center part and two sparkly silver barrettes when she was nominated for best breakthrough performance for her title role in Selena. Even though she didn’t win, at least her subtle, fresh-faced makeup is award-worthy.

1998: WITH MARK WAHLBERG AT THE MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS
J. Lo pairs sleek, shoulder-length hair and a ten-gallon hat for her take on an urban cowgirl. And we can only imagine that she’s trading notes about sit-ups and crunches with her fellow six-pack icon.

1999: ON THE 6 ALBUM COVER
With her messy ponytail and flawless skin, J. Lo pulls off one of her trademark tricks: managing to look simultaneously relaxed and refined. Even in a pair of silver lamé booty shorts.

1999: WITH DIDDY AT THE VH1 FASHION AWARDS
With the help of Scott Barnes, her longtime makeup artist and creator of the “J. Lo glow,” Lopez is a blinged-out, bronzed goddess with radiant skin (and copious cleavage). She knew to offset the plunging neckline with ethereal smoky eyes and a peachy-nude lip, definitely earning her most fashionable artist nod in the process.

2000: GRAMMY AWARDS
Lopez’s retro, pumped-up ponytail is reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot, but honestly, no one is looking at her hair.

2001: ACADEMY AWARDS
Big hair, big impression. This Barbarella-meets-beauty-contestant look is all about fat ringlets and extreme volume. But Lopez’s makeup—pale pink lipstick, perfectly groomed brows, and lots of lashes—is simple, understated perfection.

2003: WITH BEN AFFLECK AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS
Lopez’s eye shadow is the same delicate shade of sea foam as her asymmetrical Valentino gown, but the effect is sophisticated, not matchy-matchy.

2007: ACADEMY AWARDS
The pretty palette of soft plums and pinks is sweet and youthful, necessary when trying to pull off a polished set of curls. The gown, by Marchesa, adds elegance to a then-expectant Lopez’s look.

2011: WITH MARC ANTHONY AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS
Lopez is drop-dead sexy from head to Louboutins, thanks to incredible honey highlights and a killer workout regimen by trainer Tracy Anderson.

2011: WITH MARC ANTHONY AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA
Lopez trades in her signature long, loose hair and nude lips for a sleek updo and bold, glossy red mouth—making for a dramatic, ultraglam effect.

2011: WITH TWINS MAX AND EMME IN GUCCI AD
These days, Lopez exudes effortless beauty and seems more comfortable with herself than ever. Her sun-kissed skin and beachy waves are lovely, but hands down, her best accessories are on her hips: adorable twins Max and Emme.

2011: BAFTA BRITS TO WATCH EVENT
After decades of experimenting with her look, Lopez is hitting her style stride with long, loose curls, ombré highlights, and radiant skin that turns heads while turning back the clock.