Dakota and Elle Fanning’s Sister Beauty Evolution
You know what they say: Two is better than one. Take Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning, the sisters who have shared the spotlight since they were practically in diapers (we exaggerate, but it still seems like it), and still developed their own beauty styles. As children, the pair always appeared on the red carpet together — and we could barely tell them apart. (Elle was often cast to play younger of Dakota in films like I Am Sam and Taken.) Now it seems like all they share is their last name — beauty-wise, at least. While their respective tastes in hair, makeup, and nails differs quite a bit, they do share some amazing #twinning moments from time to time (remember their glittery smoky eyes at Saint Laurent?). Dakota isn’t afraid to embrace her more experimental aesthetic, while Elle often prefers a subtler, more sophisticated style. That’s not to say they don’t trade signature looks every so often. See for yourself!
1/14See how different Dakota and Elle's beauty signatures really are.
Photo: Getty Images2/14October 2002
Sister, sister! Dakota and Elle hit the red carpet together for one of the first times ever, practically radiating sunshine and smiles.
Photo: Getty Images3/14August 2002
These two have clearly always been naturals in the spotlight, showing off matching, ear-to-ear grins.
Photo: Getty Images4/14March 2007
Longer hair was in the air! The duo sported practically-identical hairstyles back in the day at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards.
Photo: Getty Images5/14May 2011
It’s crazy how much Dakota and Elle have grown up over the course of four years. Here, each sister was just starting to settle into her individual beauty style, with Elle debuting a polished topknot and baby cat eye and Dakota opting for a sleek lob — way before it became cool.
Photo: Getty Images6/14August 2011
If Elle didn’t have a sudden growth spurt, there’s no way we would be able to tell her from Dakota here. They even matched their outfits to the bright blonde shade of their hair!
Photo: Getty Images7/14January 2013
Elle went for modern-day princess vibes with long, loose curls and natural makeup. Dakota, on the other hand, stuck with her shiny, signature style and carefully highlighted the inner corner of her eyes. Whichever look you prefer, we think the takeaway message is that dark roots plus super-light strands will forever be a match made in beauty heaven.
Photo: Getty Images8/14October 2013
Talk about coordinating beauties! Dakota may have pulled her hair back, letting a few stray strands frame her face, whereas Elle chose to leave her hair loose — but the two agreed on fresh makeup and lacquered lips with a mirror-shine finish.
Photo: Getty Images9/14February 2016
Dakota and Elle both committed to a decidedly bold look for the Saint Laurent runway show. Dakota rocked heavily lined eyes paired with a smoky blue shadow to perfectly complement Elle’s ‘70s-era, glitter-strewn lids.
Courtesy of Instagram/@ellefanning10/14March 2016
The Fanning girls proved that there’s no better partner-in-crime than your sister. Elle’s high-shine ponytail was the perfect complement to Dakota loose waves.
Courtesy of Instagram/@dakotafanning11/14May 2016
The adorable sister duo shared a moment together at Elle’s graduation. (We bet that Elle brought a pic of Dakota to the salon for her lob inspiration...)
Photo: Getty Images12/14June 2016
Dakota and Elle have nailed look after look after look, but this one may very well take the crown. Elle’s flyaway-free topknot and sparkly pink eyeshadow were untouchable, but it was Dakota’s glittery blue roots that stole the show.
Photo: Getty Images13/14November 2016
Not only are they gorgeous in red carpet glam, but Dakota and Elle are also positively stunning when they’re made-down. Here, they both chose minimal makeup and easy hairstyles to reinforce the fact that — sometimes — simpler is just better.
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