Cara Delevingne's Evolution and Best Red Carpet Beauty Moments
By now, it's inevitable that you've seen supermodel Cara Delevingne kill it in countless campaigns for brands like Topshop, Burberry and DKNY. Of course, being Cara, she's been busy embarking on more ventures than we can keep track of, all while keeping things completely open (and often endearingly goofy) with her 31 million Instagram followers. What we're most excited about, though? Her segue to the big screen, with roles in movies like Paper Towns, Suicide Squad, and the upcoming Life in a Year.
In celebration of her latest turn on the silver screen, it's time to revisit every hair and makeup highlight of her red carpet career. Yes, those bold brows remain a constant fixture throughout, but she never shies away from shaking up the rest of her look. Whether it's a textbook red lip or a chic new take on body art, she's clearly got the whole beauty muse thing down.
Photo: Getty Images1/56September 2010
Has Cara ever had a bad brow day? We doubt it, and even at 18, she knows how to wear them flawlessly. In this case, that means leaving them alone—and pairing them with a subtle kitten flick and glowy pink cheeks.
Photo: Getty Images2/56September 2010
Bold eyes pair well with a strong brow, as evidenced here. She keeps her hair and makeup simple to emphasize those intensely tightlined eyes, finished off with a fluttery fringe and lots of black shadow. For a similar effect, try layering a smudgy kohl liner over primer (so it doesn't streak).
Photo: Getty Images3/56November 2010
Models have a thing for finessing fresh-faced beauty, and Cara is no exception. Here, she pulls her hair back in a messy ponytail, but her polished arches and dewy skin keep things looking deliberately disheveled—and chic.
Photo: Getty Images4/56March 2011
Cara's eyes are gorgeous even when makeup-free, but they turn piercing when she plays them up with some meticulous tightlining. A super-precise effect like this one is best achieved with a liquid or gel formula. And don't forget the mascara!
Photo: Getty Images5/56June 2011
She channels bohemian beauty at a summer party, pulling on a colorful, stretchy headband and leaving the rest of her hair slightly windswept. Her makeup plays off the pared-down vibe, minimal and clean to let her hair accessory (and naturally, brows) do most of the talking.
Photo: Getty Images6/56September 2011
Cara keeps warm in a cozy plaid coat while channeling laid-back cool at Fashion's Night Out. It probably helps to have the bone structure of a supermodel, but this a prime example of how to make the less-is-more aesthetic work.
Photo: Getty Images7/56December 2011
Finally, a red lip appears! She embraces color at a Burberry boutique opening, precisely filling in her pout with a classic, creamy red. Additional points for the casual side part and subtly diffused grey eyeshadow.
Photo: Getty Images8/56January 2012
The low side-ponytail is a new look for Cara, but like everything else she tries, it just works—thanks to the un-styled movement up front and smooth, glossy finish.
Photo: Getty Images9/56June 2012
The makeup hits continue with this textbook-perfect application of sultry bronze eyeshadow, which follows the shape of her winged liner and elongates her almond-shaped eyes. She adds additional drama with that tightly pinned topknot and windblown, face-framing tendrils.
Photo: Getty Images10/56September 2012
What happens when Cara emphasizes her already major brows? Makeup perfection. She keeps them from overpowering her features with earth-toned eyeshadows and terracotta blush.
Photo: Getty Images11/56October 2012
She rocks graphic cut-crease eyeliner at Paris Fashion Week, balancing the floating flick with a blackened lower lashline. The perfect pairing to her avant-garde eye makeup: a deep side part that guides her hair across her face at an angle.
Photo: Getty Images12/56October 2012
Another Fashion Week moment, and her brows are looking fuller and more elongated than ever! She's also especially bright-eyed and chisel-cheeked thanks to the application of subtle white liner and some stellar contouring.
Photo: Getty Images13/56November 2012
She's back to her classic combo of warmed-up smoky eyes and effortless hair, with two minor tweaks. First, the hair gets the slightest bit of piece-y texture, especially evident in the movement toward the front. Then there's the liner, which she only extends halfway across the lower lashline, imparting a softening effect.
Photo: Getty Images14/56March 2013
Forget what we said about graphic cat eyes—this is how it's done. She creates a thick, bold wing that nearly meets the tail of her brows, grounding the upward flick with a generous coat of mascara on her lower lashes. She tops the whole thing off with a fanned-out bun, which manages to be fun and elegant at the same time.
Photo: Getty Images15/56May 2013
Cara at The Great Gatsby Cannes premiere remains one of our favorite beauty looks. She nails the Old-Hollywood waves, the classic smoky eye, and the requisite screen-siren red pout. P.S. We believe it's always chic to match your lipstick to your nails.
Photo: Getty Images16/56October 2013
At the amfAR Gala, she wears a much softer version of the previously seen hairstyle—think brushed-out, cascading finger waves. While the shape of her eye makeup is extreme, the delicate shading and touch of white at the inner corners create an ethereal effect.
Photo: Getty Images17/56February 2014
While she usually favors sharply angled eyeshadow application, Cara opts for a version that stays much closer to the edge of the eye here. Perhaps it's because she's got all the edge she needs with that side-plaited faux-undercut, a fitting contrast to her elegant, loose curls.
Photo: Getty Images18/56May 2014
She scores another beauty hit with her Met Gala appearance. That eye makeup alone deserves a mention, with its crisp liner, smoky depth and diffused, angled edges. Then there's the cheekbone-emphasizing peachy blush, lit-from-within skin, and lustrous, bouncy curls.
Photo: Getty Images19/56May 2014
She's pulled out the classic red lip a few times, but this vampy wine shade is a departure from her usual lip looks—and we love it. She skips her go-to cat eye as well, choosing to focus on a bronzed, contoured cheek and textured waves.
Photo: Getty Images20/56July 2014
It's been awhile since we've seen a high ponytail from Cara, but she reminds us that she can pull off the style with panache. Instead of doing a full wing, she wears a much smaller kitten flick, echoing the slightly shadowed shape of her natural crease. Add a pink cheek and the perpetual power brows, and you have a supermodel-worthy look.
FilmMagic21/56November 2014
Fast forward to winter, and our girl's gone brunette! Her color switch is so subtle that she almost has us second-guessing whether or not she was born with those warm chestnut strands, which she tucks into a flowing side braid. And that subtle cut crease technique on the eyeshadow? Genius.
FilmMagic22/56January 2015
Half-up hairdos have never looked so fresh. Instead of wearing the standard sleek finish, she adds a dose of texture with tousled ringlets. Plus, we need to talk about that upgraded cat eye; the shape is achieved using only grey eyeshadow (instead of the usual black liner) and some spectacular blending skills.
WireImage23/56January 2015
When attending a YSL lip-themed party, the best course of action has to be the classic red pout, as seen here on Cara. She gets the cherry shade and slick finish spot-on, pairing them with a shimmery, silver eye.
Getty Images24/56February 2015
Cue a repeat homage to Old Hollywood, this time with even more exaggerated, side-swept waves. She tones down the eyes this time around, choosing to focus most of the intensity at the lashline—all the better to set off yet another perfect red lip.
Getty Images25/56February 2015
Never one to stray into predictability, she does a 180 less than 24 hours later at the BRIT Awards in London, swapping out polished glamour for rock & roll cool. The latter entails piling on the black eyeshadow and topping off her slightly mussed hair with a slick fedora.
FilmMagic26/56April 2015
Generally speaking, red-carpet hair tends to favor a touchable look. Cara flouts the rule with a sculptural style so sleek it's almost stiff, but the effect emphasizes the graceful swirl of her pinned-back bangs. Sure, it's probably not an everyday style, but it easily manages to look dramatic without being overdone—complementing the high neck of her Reem Acra dress and deliberately minimal makeup.
FilmMagic27/56May 2015
Her 2015 Met Gala look is all about the custom body art, which took her tattoo artist hours to create (tip: for a much faster take on temporary tattoos, check out Rihanna's collaboration with Jacquie Aiche). Her signature smoky look is extra sultry here, thanks to a heavier application of eyeshadow rimming the lower lashline.
Getty Images28/56June 2015
She lightens things up at the Paper Towns photocall in Madrid. Take this as an excellent lesson in making a red lip casual; she switches out her usual blue-tinged shade for a warmer tomato tone, wearing it with just the barest flick of liner and windswept hair.
GC Images29/56June 2015
The topknot returns! While she seems to favor a messier style when it comes to updos, this one's tucked in and elegant. Note the pretty trio of pinks on her eyes, lips, and cheeks, which suit the upswept hair nicely. The trick to keeping the color from looking garish is selecting warm tones in a range of finishes, and applying with a super light hand.
WireImage30/56June 2015
This colorful, lit-from-within look at the London photocall of Paper Towns throws another beauty curveball our way. It's a definite departure from the dark cat eyes and extreme liner she wears so well, but the muted purple eyeshadow, softened waves, and subtly glossed lip are just the thing to highlight her beautiful glow.
Photo: FilmMagic31/56July 2015
Continuing her flawless Paper Towns streak, Cara frames her blue eyes perfectly with this burnt orange shadow.
Photo: FilmMagic32/56July 2015
Another day, another impeccable Paper Towns look! For a special screening in L.A., the model nearly outshines the film with a smoky eye and polished beach waves.
Getty Images33/56__July 2015 __
This red lip look is so fierce, it goes on to inspire its own wax figure!
Photo: Getty Images34/56August 2015
Cara’s makes a deep side part and brushed up brows look easy. Her secret? Glowing skin and subtle pink lips.
Photo: FilmMagic35/56September 2015
Cara updates her high ponytail with a few French braids — making her bronze smoky eye stand out even more.
Photo: WireImage36/56September 2015
Even with flyaways and imperfect waves, Cara steals the show.
Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eva37/56October 2015
This silver lip accessory is a serious statement piece, but Cara’s glistening skin and tight bun keep things looking low key.
Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images38/56December 2015
Cara always manages to take things to the next level — even her casual looks.
Photo: WireImage39/56April 2016
Hello dark lip! This matte purple lipstick is definitely one of Cara’s best.
Photo: WireImage40/56April 2016
Cara is taking a more pared down approach to her red carpet beauty as she gears up for the release of her new films. This hair and makeup may be simple, but it’s certainly chic.
Photo: WireImage41/56June 2016
Of course, Cara will always be a wild child at heart. She is totally festival ready with these uh-mazing blue braids.
Photo: John Sciulli/Getty Images42/56July 2016
Behold the bob! Cara chopped off her supermodel strands and the whole world collectively lost it. Then cut their own hair.
Photo: Michael Stewart/Getty Images43/56August 2016
Gunmetal smoky shadow, cherry-red lipstick AND the new bob in old Hollywood waves...Cara, you're officially a movie star. Truly glamorous.
Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images44/56August 2016
Note to self: Leather jackets are infinitely cooler when paired with a daytime smoky eye.
Photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images45/56September 2016
Cara drew a line down her entire body for Burberry's big fashion show, confusing all of us, yet slaying all the way.
Steve Granitz46/56November 2016
She went back to Old Hollywood glamour here and the throwback vibe looks amazing on her. From her deep side part to her shiny barrel curls to her smudged-out liner and berry lip, this combo was hitting all the right notes.
Photo: Getty Images Jeffrey Mayer47/56March 2017
Whoa, platinum makeover! Cara switched up her honey-blonde hue with a bleached blonde so icy, it was practically silver. She paired it with red eyeshadow at CinemaCon for a double beauty statement.
Photo: Getty Images/Paul Archuleta48/56April 2017
Silver definitely looks good on Cara. She ditched the polished waves for piece-y, tousled texture, letting her lob fan out at the bottom for an eye-catching take on red carpet hair.
Courtesy of Instagram/@caradelevingne49/56April 2017
In her most dramatic transformation yet, Cara got a big chop for her role in Life in a Year, adding pink streaks to her silver hair and then cutting it all into a super-short pixie. Is it just us, or do her brows look bolder than ever?
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images50/56May 2017
A dramatic silver-painted head made a metallic statement on the 2017 Met Gala red carpet.
Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images51/56July 2017
Growing out the hair she shaved for her role in Life in a Year, all eyes were on her at the Chanel 2017-2018 fall/winter show in Paris. Rosy cheeks sweetened the deal even more.
Carlos Tischler/Getty Images52/56August 2017
Cara’s never been one to shy away from playing up her striking features, and this is no exception. With mauve lips and cheeks (plus, that gunmetal cat eye), she’s giving us so much inspiration.
David M. Benett/Getty Images53/56September 2017
Scarlet eyeshadow, defined brows, and a radiant complexion made this London Fashion Week look straight fire.
David M. Benett/Getty Images54/56October 2017
Cara, is that you? At her book signing of Mirror, Mirror, she takes a turn for the darker thanks to a smoky eye, chiseled contour, and a chestnut brown pixie cut.
Samir Hussein/Getty Images55/56February 2018
Burberry sent Cara down the runway at London Fashion Week bearing the most timeless accessories: A woke-up-like-this fringe, no-makeup makeup, and a confident smirk.
Mike Coppola/MG1856/56May 7, 2018
Cara's pink hair was the perfect contrast to her all-black look at the 2018 Met Gala. And her face, though mostly covered by the beaded pieces handing from her crown, was painted as though it were a canvas, with bright yellow eyes, pale pink cheeks, and deep red lips to finish it off.
