Photo Timeline Of Zendaya's Gorgeous Beauty Evolution

As one of the most talented actors of her generation, Zendaya has proven herself as someone who's simply unstoppable. With two Emmys and one Golden Globe win, and a jaw-dropping style transformation, Zendaya isn't just one to watch on the big and small screen, but also whenever she shows up to any red carpet event. Because let's be honest: Zendaya is a cut above the rest on the fashion and beauty front, and that has everything to do with the fact that she's not afraid to take risks and reinvent herself. In fact, Zendaya has even said, "My style is not to have one," per Allure.

"She's pretty much open to anything — whatever is going to bring the look," hairstylist Tymothe Wallace, who's worked with Zendaya for years, told Allure in a separate interview in September 2017. "It has to be a moment. It's very chic but severe. That's her aesthetic. It's going to be a look from head to toe."

Although we know that Zendaya's fashion choices are always on point — after all, when it comes to celebrities who took method dressing to the next level while promoting movies, she is the reigning queen — but she never misses with her makeup and hair either. Over the years, and right in front of our eyes, we've been lucky enough to witness the gorgeous beauty evolution of Zendaya. From her platinum pixie cut to her fearless approach to makeup, Zendaya is absolutely the only beauty inspo you need in your life.

In February 2015, Zendaya attended the 87th Annual Academy Awards in a stunning full-length, off-the-shoulder ivory gown by Vivienne Westwood while rocking dreadlocks and minimal makeup. While Zendaya's beauty choices were breathtaking, the dreadlocks led to racist remarks from E!'s Giuliana Rancic, who said the actor looked like she smelled "like patchouli oil and weed." Although Zendaya addressed the comments at the time on Instagram, in an interview with W Magazine in March 2021, Zendaya called the incident a turning point, telling W, "And it made me think, How could I always have a lasting impact on what people saw and associated with people of color?"

Just one month after the 2015 Oscars, Zendaya attended Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards rocking a hairstyle very reminiscent of "The Dorothy," a cut made famous in the 1970s by ice skater Dorothy Hamill. Although Zendaya's version is more voluminous, based on her dark eye makeup, gold choker, and striped DKNY dress, it was pretty clear that Zendaya was embracing beauty trends from the past for the event. On Instagram, Zendaya posted a photo of herself from that day, with a caption that read, "Have I ever been scared of a look? Nah." And that's why she's iconic. 

As one of the celebrities who looks gorgeous with their natural hair, it's always a treat to see Zendaya's curls on display. When she attended the Teen Choice Awards in August 2017, not only did Zendaya have her curls front and center, but her coral lipstick that was just a shade brighter than her eyeshadow, delivered an elevated casual look. Although Zendaya's hair is one of her best physical features, as she told People in 2016, she struggled to be confident in her curls. "But as I've gotten older and become more confident in myself, I just don't care," she told People.

When Zendaya attended the LA premiere of "Euphoria" in June 2019, she literally looked like an angel — quite a contrast to her character, Rue Bennett, which might have been the reason she opted for this look. With her hair pulled up into a messy ponytail, whimsical-looking bangs, and appearing as makeup-free as one can while still wearing makeup, Zendaya brought a flawless, ethereal energy to the red carpet that day. It also helps that her white dress appears to be slightly blowing in the wind, adding to her overall dream-like look.

When it comes to Zendaya's most gorgeous hair looks, let's take a moment for this platinum pixie because it's perfect. While a departure from many of her other experimentations with her hair, it just further proves her fearlessness when it comes to taking beauty risks. It was for the Fashion Awards 2017 in London that Zendaya debuted this hairstyle, and it was absolutely fitting for the event. Keeping her makeup to a minimum, so as to not take away from her haircut and color or the eclectic bodice of the dress, Zendaya was the very definition of fashion forward. 

When Zendaya attended the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards in January 2020, she really committed to her hot pink look. Not only was her Tom Ford chrome top — which was molded to fit her perfectly — and full-length skirt hot pink, but so were her shoes, her nails, and her eye makeup. To complete her look, Zendaya went for long box braids, making her one of the celebrities who have inspired others with their beautiful braids. To no surprise, Zendaya stole the show that night in all her gorgeous pink, even though she didn't win an award.

For the world premiere of her film "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in December 2021, not only did Zendaya dress the part, rocking a spiderweb-patterned dress by Valentino, but she also broke out her cornrows. Why? Because representation matters. "Every woman should be able to see herself in me in some way," Zendaya told Allure in 2016. "I love when I get to wear my cornrows, because it's surprising." Zendaya completed her beauty look with black and blue eye makeup — which was covered by a black lace domino mask for some of the night — and a neutral lip.

In the spring of 2023, Zendaya gave the chic flippy bob a try and, of course, looked amazing doing so. Although she wore it to several events that year, including CinemaCon, where her hairstylist Tai Simon shared how to get Zendaya's hair in an Instagram post, she also had it when she attended the Bulgari Hotel Roma opening event in June 2023. As if channeling Katharine Hepburn, Zendaya wore a black sparkly Valentino pantsuit — a perfect complement for her Hollywood glamour hair — and kept her makeup light except for around the eyes, making them the focus. She completed her ensemble with Bulgari jewelry.

When it comes to exuding power and strength, red is always the go-to color. Because of this, when Zendaya attended the Louis Vuitton Paris womenswear spring/summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week 2024, the little bit of red she rocked went a long way. Not only did she prove that she's mastered the art of the red lip, although she doesn't wear it often, but her highlighted hair that was pulled back to appear as though she had a slicked bob, made her look like a force to be reckoned with — which, of course, she is.

Although Rama Duwaji's signature bixie might be the reason for bixies trending, Zendaya solidified it as the cut of the moment. During an interview at the LA premiere of "The Drama," Zendaya was asked how she felt about the final chapters of "Euphoria" and the "Dune" franchise. "I think it's part of why I cut my hair," Zendaya told Deadline. "There's so many roles that I had to come back to, and so much energy in the roles with my hair and attachment to it." Spotted in New York City in April 2026, Zendaya looked fresh-faced with light orange sherbet eye shadow and a neutral lip.