The 2010s were a game-changing era for beauty, defined by iconic makeup moments like Kesha's glitter glam and Rihanna's smoldering smoky eyes that continue to inspire today.
Ah, the 2010s. A simpler time, when our biggest worries were choosing the right filter and whether our contour was on fleek. Looking back from the lofty heights of 2026, that decade was a total game-changer for beauty. It was an era of unapologetic self-expression, where the red carpet became a canvas for glitter, bold lips, and smoky eyes that could start a fire. While we can't hop into a DeLorean and go back (sadly, time travel is still not a Sephora perk), we can absolutely take a trip down memory lane and revisit the iconic makeup moments that defined a generation and continue to inspire our vanity tables today. Buckle up, beauty lovers, it's about to get nostalgic up in here.
1. Kesha's Glitter Bomb Extravaganza (2010 Grammys)
Kesha didn't just arrive at the 2010 Grammys; she made an entrance that screamed "party don't start 'til I walk in." Her aesthetic was pure, unadulterated glitter glam. This look was the epitome of YOLO beauty: slather on the silver and gold sparkle, pair it with pitch-black eyeliner so sharp it could cut, and just live your best life. It was a masterclass in how to make a statement without saying a word. We're still taking notes.
2. Rihanna's Smoky Seduction (2014 CFDA Awards)
Where there's smoke, there's Rihanna serving looks that permanently alter the beauty landscape. Her 2014 CFDA Awards makeup was the definition of smoldering. That deep, gray smoky eye contrasted with black liner was pure artistry. Paired with flawlessly sculpted, glowing skin and a soft pink lip gloss, it was a lesson in balance. This look lives rent-free in our minds every time we reach for a dramatic eyeshadow palette. Iconic? Absolutely.
3. Taylor Swift's Classic Red Lip (2010 Grammys)
Before the eras tours and the folklore, there was a young Taylor Swift mastering the art of the timeless red lip. Her 2010 Grammys look was an earlier, more subtle rendition of the signature style she'd own for the next decade-plus. With shimmering lids and fluttery false lashes, it proved that some trends are forever. A true classic with a capital C.
4. Hailey Bieber's Mod-Inspired Glow (Mid-2010s)
Mod makeup got a serious glow-up thanks to looks like Hailey Bieber's. This moment combined a sharp cat eye, a shimmering rosy highlight on the cheekbones and brow bones, and soft pastel pink lips. The key takeaway? Build that glow slowly, baby! Layer your highlighter for a radiance that lasts longer than your group chat's latest drama.
5. Zendaya's Soft Glam Masterclass (2015 Oscars)
Even a decade ago, Zendaya was showing us how it's done. Her 2015 Oscars look is the blueprint for versatile soft glam. The magic is in the subtle contrast: a smokier, defined eye paired with a softer, neutral lip. It's elegant, it's chic, and it speaks volumes about her effortless cool-girl vibe. This look never went out of style.
6. Katy Perry's Electric Rainbow (2010 MTV Movie Awards)
Katy Perry said, "Comfort zone? I don't know her." This look was a full-on color explosion. That hot pink lip? Legendary. The multicolored graphic liner? A work of art. It stirred a collective desire to play with vibrant hues we might have been too scared to try. And let's give a moment of silence for that iconic blue wig. A true psychedelic dream.
7. Lady Gaga's Bold Hollywood Homage (2010 VMAs)
Everyone talks about the meat dress (for obvious reasons), but Gaga's makeup that night was a masterstroke. Thick eyeliner, voluminous lashes, and a vivid red lip paid homage to Old Hollywood starlets, but with that signature Gaga edge. It was classic, yet anything but dated. A lesson in making the old new again.
8. Beyoncé's Metallic Majesty (2016)
When Beyoncé does something, the world pays attention. Her 2016 metallic eyeshadow moment was no exception. Eyes that glistened like precious metals, paired with perfectly groomed brows, cemented metallic looks into the beauty hall of fame. It was powerful, regal, and utterly flawless. We still get chills.
9. Kate Middleton's Wedding Day Radiance (2011)
Few beauty moments carry the weight of history. For her wedding to Prince William, the then-Kate Middleton opted for understated, effortless elegance. Soft eye makeup, a hint of blush, and natural lipstick kept the focus squarely on her radiant, joyful glow. It became the ultimate wedding makeup inspiration—proof that sometimes, less is profoundly more.
10. Helen Mirren's Playful Pink (2013 BAFTAs)
Dame Helen Mirren said, "Formal event? I'll wear pastel pink hair, thank you very much." And she didn't stop there. Matching her lipstick and blush to her fabulous dye job and adding a touch of sparkly eyeshadow, she showed that creativity has a place everywhere. It was playful, chic, and utterly fearless.
11. Solange's Heavenly Smoke (2018 Met Gala)
For the "Heavenly Bodies" Met Gala, Solange Knowles brought the drama to a celestial level. Deep gray and espresso brown shadows created a smoky eye of epic proportions, intensified by carbon black liner on both lash lines. This look was a glamorous masterpiece worthy of her incredible Iris Van Herpen ensemble and halo. A total serve.
12. Anne Hathaway's Bubblegum Pop (2013 Oscars)
When you have a lip color this good, you let it shine. Anne Hathaway's 2013 Oscars look is a prime example of feature-focused harmony. That gorgeous bubblegum pink lip popped perfectly against her skin and pastel gown, while the rest of her makeup subtly accentuated her features. A lesson in letting one element be the star.
13. Cardi B's Blushy Sparkle (2018 Met Gala)
Cardi B's energy is always at 100, and her makeup follows suit. For the 2018 Met Gala, blush-pink eyeshadow blended into the crease met a cool-toned red lip, creating a look just as sparkly and eye-catching as her bejeweled Moschino gown. It was bold, it was beautiful, it was so Cardi. No notes.
14. Miley Cyrus's Punk Rock Pout (2013 Met Gala)
The theme was punk, and Miley Cyrus understood the assignment. That saturated orange-red lipstick was a bold move that paid off in spades. With glowing skin and subtly enhanced eyes, the lips were the undeniable, in-your-face focal point. It was the perfect blend of rebellion and red-carpet polish.
15. Ariana Grande's Signature Wing (Throughout the 2010s)
The winged eyeliner and nude lip combo is a 2010s nostalgia trigger of the highest order, and Ariana Grande was its queen. Her signature sharp cat eye, often paired with a soft nude lip, became a defining look that evolved with her but never lost its essence. It's timeless, it's chic, and it's forever associated with an era.
16. Lupita Nyong'o's Colorful Spectacle (2019 Met Gala)
For a memorable statement, sometimes you gotta go big or go home. Lupita Nyong'o's 2019 Met Gala look was a celebration of color and shine. Bold, shimmering metallic eyeshadows looked radiant against her glowing skin, vivid gown, and dark lipstick. It was artistic, joyful, and utterly unforgettable.
17. Kylie Jenner's '90s Revival (2014 Billboard Music Awards)
This look was a cultural reset. Kylie Jenner's 2014 BBMAs appearance—with its structured brows, perfected matte skin, and buffed nude lips—single-handedly brought '90s-inspired makeup roaring back. The beauty industry collectively lost its mind, and the "Kylie Lip Kit" era was born. A pivotal moment, for sure.
18. Kristen Stewart's Cool-Gray Smoke (2017 Cannes)
Kristen Stewart turned heads with her buzzcut, but her eye makeup turned the beauty world on its axis. Ditching traditional black and brown, she used shades of warm gray for a smoky eye that felt fresh, modern, and incredibly cool. With the rest of her complexion kept natural, the eyes did all the talking. A game-changing approach to a classic.
19. Amandla Stenberg's Chic Underline (2019)
Want to add some drama? Take a page from Amandla Stenberg's 2019 playbook. This chic underline look involved using a contrasting liner or shadow on the lower lash line and smudging it outward for maximum effect. It's a simple trick with a high-impact payoff. So good.
20. Cara Delevingne's Crimson & Gold Contrast (2017 MTV Movie Awards)
Cara Delevingne's look was a masterclass in contrast. A deep, saturated crimson lip paired with a dramatic swath of golden brown eyeshadow created a look that was both warm and powerful, soft and striking. It reminds us that playing with saturation and contrast can lead to truly memorable beauty moments.
So there you have it, folks! Twenty slices of 2010s beauty heaven that still hit different in 2026. These looks were more than just makeup; they were moments of confidence, creativity, and pure unadulterated fun. They remind us that beauty is about expression, and sometimes, the best inspiration is a glorious blast from the past. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to dig out our glitter palettes... for research purposes, of course. 😉