The Best-Ever Golden Globe Beauty Moments Reflect Decades Of Distinct Trends

Unlike other galas or events that have transformed into sartorial extravaganzas over time, Golden Globe Awards night has always asserted itself as an evening for beauty fans in particular. From Marilyn Monroe's stunning cat eye in 1962 to more recent beauty icons — like Jennifer Aniston, Lupita Nyong’o, and Billie Eilish — the evening has always been the ultimate excuse to pull out all the stops when it comes to hair, makeup, and even nails. As such, the best Golden Globes beauty moments of all time also happen to be some of the greatest throughout all of Hollywood’s history.

Looking back, you can also see instances where a certain look might have had a hand in transforming the beauty industry entirely. Take Reese Witherspoon’s Golden Globes beauty look from 2007 for example. Even nearly two decades later, women are bringing in images of her choppy bangs and honey golden highlights to their stylists as inspiration. But it’s also a great time for major risk taking — like Lady Gaga’s blue-tinged princess bun or Viola Davis’ bold metallic eye makeup. Without fail, each year there’s something for every kind of beauty lover to take away.

While you await next year’s additions to the canon, enjoy a look back at some of TZR’s forever favorite makeup, hair, and all-around beauty moments from Golden Globe Awards past.

Marilyn Monroe, 1962

Monroe’s signature look from the '60s is still on trend, and likely won’t ever go out of style. The cat eye, arched brows, and opaque lipstick are just so good — not to mention her big, bombshell hairstyle.

Cher, 1973

Beauty icons don’t get much bigger than Cher, and her award show style always delivers. At the 1973 event, she wore bold, spiky lashes just beneath her perfectly fluffed-up brows.

Donna Summer, 1979

Summer’s disco diva vibe electrified the 1979 Globes. Her trademark larger-than-life dance floor curls were in full form, as was her soft indigo eyeshadow.

Brooke Shields, 1985

An enduring icon for 40-plus years, Shields’ star was cemented around the mid-80s. With her lash-skimming bangs and legendarily full eyebrows, it was an inevitability.

Meryl Streep, 1989

All the hallmarks of ‘80s style are present in this glam Streep look. Gold lamé suit set? Check. Big, voluminous bangs? Check. A frosty shade of brick-red lipstick? Cheeeeck.

Whoopi Goldberg, 1991

A dark lip and long, glossy braids were a stunning combination on Goldberg, and an early sign of the '90s beauty trends that would come to define the decade.

Nicole Kidman, 1996

In the ‘90s, regardless of age, it was all about the prom-perfect updo at award shows. Kidman’s one of the ultimate examples, with dramatic bangs and a big, looping bouffant in the back.

Angelina Jolie, 1998

The short hair! The gray eyeshadow! The tattoo! Jolie stepped onto the red carpet in 1998 in this Golden Globes look, and forever changed the definition of “cool girl.”

Halle Berry, 2000

And speaking of short hair — few pixie cuts throughout history have had more of an impact than Berry’s. Spiky and chic, it only highlighted her incredible bone structure.

Cate Blanchett, 2005

From the cherubic blush to the clean eyeshadow to the dreamy lashes, this 2005 Blanchett look is worthy of recreating more than 15 years later.

Beyoncé, 2007

Rich, warm blonde has always been a Beyoncé favorite, and this bronde shade from 2007 is still on trend to this day. Coupled with her shining décolletage and gold sequined gown, she absolutely glows.

Reese Witherspoon, 2007

The 2007 awards show wasn’t the Penelope star’s first foray with fringe, but there was just something about her choppy bangs and long, face-framing layers that makes that particular hairstyle still so memorable today.

Jennifer Aniston, 2010

Rachel who? Aniston charged into the 2010s with a new, equally enviable hairstyle, proudly shown off at the decade’s first Golden Globes ceremony.

Lupita Nyong’o, 2014

Nyong’o’s classic red lip and cat-eye harken back to Old Hollywood glamour. The shiny lid is an extra-sleek touch, as is her deep side part.

Dakota Johnson, 2015

Johnson secured breakout star status in 2015 with the Fifty Shades series, bringing curtain bangs into the mainstream. Another notable component? This petal-soft, matte plum lipstick.

Janelle Monáe, 2017

Books could be written about Monáe’s hairstyles, including this pearl-dotted beehive-style updo. It’s the perfect extension of her bespoke retro-meets-modern aesthetic.

Lady Gaga, 2019

Leave it to Lady Gaga to add a little edge to even her most princess-y look. The Star Is Born nominee accepted her “Best Original Song” award with a uniquely folded, periwinkle bun that perfectly matched her strapless Valentino gown.

Lucy Boynton, 2020

Boynton boldly goes where few beauty fans have gone before, and this futuristic silver eyeliner stunned editors and fans alike. The sparkle continued into her platinum blonde bob, a burst of metallics through the side.

Angela Bassett, 2021

Bassett’s brand of revved-up glamour would be a hit in any era, but special attention must be paid to her 2021 Golden Globes look. Her shimmery aubergine eyeshadow is incredible, underscored by the thigh-skimming braid draped elegantly over one shoulder.

Michelle Yeoh, 2023

It’s impossible to pick a standout component from Yeoh’s wildly elegant Globes look — how can you choose between her reflectively shiny hair, glowing cheeks, and delicate satin lipstick?

Viola Davis, 2023

A big fan of wearing her natural texture to awards shows, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes star attended the 2023 ceremony with her chin-length bob styled into fluffy, voluminous curls. She paired the bouncy hairstyle with colorful, metallic eye makeup for an even more bold beauty look.

Helen Mirren, 2024

As a L'Oréal Paris ambassador, Mirren’s skincare and makeup is always on point, but this combo of soft pink lips and cheeks plus a sleek silver bun made for one of her most glamorous beauty looks to date.

Billie Eilish, 2024

Eilish, who took home her second Golden Globe for Best Original Song, donned bushy brows and red and black two-tone hair (styled into a spiky updo) to accept her award for Barbie’s “What Was I Made For?”.