The Beauty Evolution of Elle Fanning: From Baby Sis to Bombshell
Photo: Getty Images1/17Elle Fanning has played everything from an actor’s daughter in Somewhere to a princess in Maleficent, but off the screen she’s known as something of a beauty and style icon. Sporting super feminine dresses on the red carpet and IRL, Elle is a poster child for the unapologetic girly girl.
Elle and her sister Dakota started acting at very young ages, so we’ve practically seen them grow up in the spotlight. But while her sister has gone the more traditional route over the years, Elle has become a master of experimental looks. From her early love of red lipstick to her recent forays into glittery eyes, watch Elle grow up — and evolve her bold beauty looks — here.
Photo: Getty Images2/17January 2007
How cute was 9-year-old Elle? All she needed was a little sheer red lipstick and those cute baby pink glasses to look red carpet ready at Sundance.
Photo: WireImage3/17March 2009
Phoebe in Wonderland was definitely Elle’s breakout role. With a bare face and a sleek blowout, she was ready for her closeup.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup4/17November 2010
Elle is known for favoring dreamy, princess-like looks — think pink cheeks, long lashes, and tiny tiaras. This rhinestone headband and rosy cheek look at The Nutcracker in 3D premiere is classic Elle.
Photo: WireImage5/17November 2010
You’ll never see Elle rocking a full face of contoured makeup — and that’s exactly what makes her so refreshing. For the Governors Awards in L.A., Elle went for simple mascara, clean brows, soft, natural waves, and nothing more. Less is definitely more sometimes.
Photo: WireImage6/17October 2011
Can you say “braid goals”? If this isn’t prom hair inspiration, we don’t know what is.
Photo: WireImage7/17January 2013
Elle may not be into wearing tons of makeup, but that doesn’t mean she always goes for the natural look. For the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2013, the actress accentuated her blue eyes with a bright turquoise shadow, added a hint of sheer lip color, and left her skin fairly bare. Perfection, no?
Photo: FilmMagic8/17May 2013
The Met Gala is all about bold beauty. Elle played off 2013’s punk theme with this out-there blue and pink eyeshadow and half-up hair.
Photo: FilmMagic9/17April 2014
What better way to show up to a “Fresh Faces” party than with (you guessed it) a fresh face? Elle added a polished side-part to her hair and added a little lip gloss to keep the simple look sleek.
Photo: FilmMagic10/17May 2014
Elle must have really loved playing a princess in Maleficent, because she spent the entire press tour in ethereal, supernatural looks. With a smooth updo and shimmering white shadow, she totally looked the part.
Photo: FilmMagic11/17September 2014
Elle, is that you? The actress went brunette for a role in late 2014 — and we have to say, it totally suits her!
Photo: WireImage12/17October 2014
Elle decided to take things up a notch for the premiere of her film The Young Ones. Her curled brown hair, bold cat eye, and shimmering glossy lips were the perfect combination of cool and glam.
Photo: FilmMagic13/17July 2015
By 2015, Elle was back to her shiny champagne blonde — just in time for another film festival.
Photo: FilmMagic14/17September 2015
We all know Elle is the master of the natural look, but that doesn’t mean she can’t make a statement, too. With a new shorter ‘do, bold brows, and a dark oxblood lip, Elle easily stole the show at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival.
Photo: WireImage15/17October 2015
Who knew rosy red cheeks and pink eyeshadow could look this good? To show them off even more, Elle wore half-up hair accessorized with tiny floral pins. Talk about flower power!
Photo: FilmMagic16/17February 2016
Elle showed off her most experimental look yet with black glitter around and under her eyes at Saint Laurent’s special show in Los Angeles. A blown-out lob and clean lips kept everything polished and picture perfect.
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