With the unapologetically authentic Cara Delevingne at the helm of today’s It-girl pack, it is officially cooler than ever to stand out from the crowd. Continually experimenting with her hair and makeup, the model-cum-actress is committed to a no-holds-barred approach to beauty. Clearly she has good genes on her side, but the real reason she’s able to pull off such unique looks is that she puts her own spin on each of them and then rocks them with confidence and ease, proving how comfortable she is in her own skin. In honor of her birthday, we take a look back at some of her best beauty dares—we can’t wait to see what this fearless spirit brings into her 23rd year.
The Ultra-Vampy Lip
Cara keeps her dark lip from seeming overly gothic by balancing it out with beachy, soft waves and lightly bronzed skin.
The Red Eye Shadow
A bold eye shadow choice looks striking but not too severe with a fresh and natural complexion. Cara also wore the red's complementary hue, a deep green (remember color theory from elementary school?), to further make the dramatic look wearable.
The Undercut Braid
Opting for the next best thing to getting an undercut hairdo, Cara fakes the daring style with a tight braid across one side of her head. This is a look that can be easily recreated (likely with the help of a friend) at home.
The High Side-Ponytail
Cara made her playful side-ponytail more "adult" by wrapping the base of it with a glossy section of hair, giving it a bit of polish.
The Faux Tattoos
Cara played up her bad-girl side with an assortment of faux tattoos at this year's Met Gala. Teamed with a smoky eye and slicked back hair, the super-cool look was equal parts elegant and edgy.
The Electric Eyeliner
Instead of fully rimming her eyes with the sky blue hue, Cara took a two-tone approach by using the striking color on just the bottom lash line and sticking to a more traditional smoky gray on top.
The Exaggerated Donut Bun
Cara kept her oversize bun from seeming ballerina-esque by allowing for a few natural flyaways. Furthermore, she went for a makeup look that wasn't too sweet thanks to super-defined brows and seductively lined eyes.
