Miley Cyrus's Best Red Carpet Beauty Looks

Hair and makeup inspo, right this way.

By Julie Bogen, Emily Gaynor, Tina Ferraro, and Marissa Miller

May 7, 2018

Image may contain Miley Cyrus Human Person Clothing Apparel Face Hat Accessories and Accessory

At this point there's just no denying it: Miley Cyrus is one of the biggest stars in pop music. But she's especially fearless when it comes to beauty—from side-shaved faux hawks and blood-red lips to waist-length ombre waves and mermaid green eyeshadow, there are few looks she hasn't tried. When Hannah Montana premiered on Disney back in 2006, the then-13-year-old preferred candy-colored lip gloss and shimmery eyeliner. The hit series turned her into a star, and, as you know, she's been in the spotlight ever since.

Jaws dropped when Miley debuted a platinum blonde pixie in early 2012 (and triumphantly tweeted "I've never felt more like myself!"), but little did we know what she had in store for us. This was more than a haircut. It was the end—and, in turn, the beginning — of an era. These days, every time Miley leaves the house seems to be an opportunity to try a new 'do. We've seen it spiky. We've seen it mohawked. We've seen it tightly-cropped. And we've seen it bobbed (which was technically a wig, but it was a major moment nonetheless).

Scroll through to see basically every look (so far!) of Miley's seemingly never-ending beauty evolution.

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Photo: PR Photos
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Just months after the first episode of Hannah Montana aired, 13 year-old Miley stepped out for the 2006 premiere of Monster House with blonde highlights and super sweet pink lips.

Photo: PR Photos
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Miley showed off her glitzy alter ego at the Radio Disney Totally 10 Birthday Concert, rocking long golden locks and perfectly curled bangs.
Photo: PR Photos
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In December of the same year, Miley debuted a whole new look (the first of many!) at the VH1 Big in '06 Awards, wearing long ringlets, winged eyeliner and mermaid green eyeshadow.

Photo: PR Photos
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At Disney's Hannah Montana: Meet Miley Cyrus album release party in 2007, she looked fresh-faced and adorable in minimal makeup, save for a swipe of shimmery highlighter on her brow. Did we mention those gorgeous chestnut-y waves?!
Photo: PR Photos
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We love bows as much as the next girl, but Miley's bright red lips (worn to our very own Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party back in 2007!) are the real statement here.

Photo: Getty Images
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She showed off a darker new 'do—accentuated with a smudge of chic black liner—at the Los Angeles premiere of Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert 3D.
Photo: Getty Images
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A few months later, Miley arrived at the 80th Annual Academy Awards with an elegant updo, cherry-red lips, and a classic dress to match.

Photo: Getty Images
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Although matching your eyeshadow to your lipstick is a pretty bold beauty move, Miley effortlessly pulls it off at Condé Nast's Fashion Rocks event.
Photo: Getty Images
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A bundled-up Miley attended the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008, opting for feathery, layered hair. The sleek white beret keeps her cozy—while making a major style statement.

Photo: PR Photos
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Miley cemented her position as teen style icon in 2009 at the UK premiere of Hannah Montana: The Movie, where she matched smoky eyes to a gunmetal mini, finishing the look with a messy bun and pink lip gloss.
Photo: PR Photos
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Hello, butterfly eyes! While attending the world premiere of The Last Song, Miley's dramatic black lashes stole the show (and attracted some serious volume envy).

Photo: PR Photos
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While attending the American Music Awards in 2010, she paired her honey-brown hair with thick kohl eyeliner, baby pink shadow, and a radiant complexion. The understated look made room for her mega-watt smile to shine.
Photo: PR Photos
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In 2011—the last year of Hannah Montana—Miley appeared at the CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute looking like a golden goddess, complete with a cat-eye and undone ombre braid.

Photo: Getty Images
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With beachy highlights and some seriously sunkissed skin, Miley lit up the red carpet at the 2012 People's Choice Awards. But it was her major side-part that really caught our eye—it's effortlessly cool, just like the star herself.
Photo: Getty Images
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By the Los Angeles Hunger Games premiere in March, she had taken the first steps in bidding Hannah Montana adieu by trading in her long signature locks for this super chic short bob.

Photo: PR Photos
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Not only did she rock an all-white skirted suit, but she awesomely paired it with bold brows, killer jewels, and a voluminous Bardot-style bouffant.
Photo: PR Photos
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With the debut of her platinum blonde double-undercut—which she played up with sharp statement earrings at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards—Miley officially left her Disney alter-ego behind (and hasn't looked back since!).

Photo: Getty Images
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She changed things up again at the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival with a pretty-meets-punk combo of icy lilac shadow, rose-colored lips, and a smattering of super stylish earrings.
Photo: Getty Images
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Miley paired her sassy red jumpsuit with a bleach-blonde mohawk and smoky copper-colored eyes at Rachel Zoe's runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2013.

Photo: PR Photos
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That same month, Miley stepped out again for the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, glamming it up in all-white everything and a spikey two-toned 'do.
Photo: PR Photos
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At MySpace's 2013 Launch Party, Miley gave her short hair a twist—literally—in a flipped-back blonde 'do with cool plaited details on either side.

Photo: Getty Images
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On the night of her much-talked-about VMA performance, Miley made a red carpet statement in flawless crimson lips, twin topknots, and lots of diamond bling.
Photo: PR Photos
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Leave it to Miley to make a combover cool. She kept makeup to a minimum last fall at the Los Angeles premiere of Paranoia. Her only accent? Long, stunning lashes that brought out her smoldering green eyes.

Photo: PR Photos
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At the Bambi Awards in Berlin, Miley turned heads in a futuristic black dress and blood-red lips. Killer style, indeed!
Photo: PR Photos
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Flashing a smile with her now-signature red pout, Miley looked appropriately festive at the 2013 KIIS Jingle Bell concert. Her safety pin earring added a touch of bad-girl cool, lest you think she'd lost her edge.

Photo: PR Photos
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Miley traded in edgy for elegant at a Grammy Awards soiree. One of her prettiest looks yet, Miley set off her platinum blonde pixie with a bubblegum pink.
Photo: Getty Images
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Miley was seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno sporting denim-on-denim and seeeriously understated makeup. Eight years in the spotlight, and we're still most enchanted by Miley's number-one accessory: her always-dazzling smile.

Photo: Getty Images
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At the 2014 VMA's, Miley took a pared-down approach with side-swept bangs (an ode to Bangerz?) and barely-there makeup, proving that bold brows and fluttery lashes are all you need to make an entrance.
Photo: Getty Images
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Who else can rock an ice-cream cone encrusted pink topknot and winged white liner? Miley went head-to-toe whimsical neon at the debut of her jewelry collection during the Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2015 fashion show.

Photo: Getty Images
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For big-night-out beauty, Miley pulled out all the stops with a shadowy cat eye, amped-up lashes and a glossy nude lip at the 2014 amfAR Gala.
Photo: Getty Images
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Miley's natural beauty shined through at the 2015 Grammy Awards—her lit-from-within glow and slicked back strands are seriously refreshing.

Photo: Getty Images
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Leave it to Miley to pair a shimmery purple feline flick and bold wet-hair look with a black lacey number at the Tom Ford F/W 2015 presentation. All in the name of fashion.
Photo: Getty Images
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A fiery coral matte lip brightened Miley's smile during a wintery February night. Are slick strands her new signature? It seems as if a trend is born.

Photo: Getty Images
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Miley proves you can style short hair in an infinite number of ways with this modern pompadour. Her glossy red lip is the icing on the cake.
Photo: Getty Images
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For the 2015 Met Gala (AKA fashion’s equivalent to the Superbowl), Miley killed the game with a one-night-only wash of icy blue color in her glossy strands. Is this a sign that she’s itching for a dye job? Fingers crossed!

Photo: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
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__September 2016 __
We’ve basically been living for Miley’s looks on The Voice. This super high ponytail and bright blue eyeliner combo was especially inspiring.
Photo: WireImage
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__September 2016 __
Finger tattoos, Billy Idol shades, and metallic nails? Miley clearly has the rocker look down.

Photo: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
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November 2016
But Miley can do the natural beauty look, too. All she needed was a little mascara and highlighter at a recent appearance on The Voice to keep all eyes on her.
Photo: Getty Images
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May 2017
Miley gave a nod to her roots by accessorizing tousled, bleached-out strands with a boho hat. Minimal makeup showed how flawless her complexion really is.

Photo: Getty Images
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June 2017
Miley rocked her grown-out roots and easy waves with a basic white tee and denim cutoffs for a look that felt effortlessly cool.
Photo: Getty Images
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June 2017
As a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community, Miley performed at the 2017 Capital Pride concert in Washington, DC. For the special occasion, she opted for a glittery, holographic lid, then covered her face in rainbow stickers to match the celebratory bow that held her hair back.

Getty Images
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September 2017
Love is in the air at the iHeartRadio Music Festival thanks to glossy red lips and a super elegant up-do. This is date night goals come to life.
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January 2018
Miley’s 60th Grammy Awards look was equal parts sophisticated and playful thanks to a sleek side part, shimmery lilac eye shadow, and her signature gold piercings.

Getty Images
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May 7, 2018
Miley went surprisingly glam at the 2018 Met Gala. Her blonde hair was styled in beachy waves, complete with grown-out roots, while her makeup emphasized her ethereal glow.