Look, we all know it: Kristen Stewart is cooler than the rest of us. She doesn’t eff with social media, takes a DGAF approach to Hollywood’s OG beauty standards, and radiates equal parts beauty and badassery that goes virtually unmatched, thanks to her signature dramatic eye looks and frequent (and fearless) hair changes. One thing she doesn’t get credit for when it comes to red carpet looks? Being a major makeup and hair styling trendsetter years before the rest of L.A. (and the planet) catches on.
Want receipts? Stewart was a champion of the glossy eye, burgundy eye, wrap-around shadow, monochromatic makeup, and two-toned liner looks years before they hit their stride. And we’re only talking about makeup so far.
A review of her best red carpet looks makes all of this seem so obvious now — but we’ve learned our lesson and are ready to take notes, because if we want to be ahead of the beauty curve, all we have to do is follow Kristen’s lead. With any luck, her latest style turn — that platinum shaved head — becomes the no-fuss beauty trend of 2019.
2004
In 2004, the actress was a Glossier model before the brand even existed — with glowing no-makeup makeup and long loose waves.
Photo: Jeff Vespa/WireImage.
2005
With blonde highlights, a zig-zag part and tousled curls — along with glossy lips and bronzer — the Kristen Stewart of 2005 was ushering in The Hills aesthetic, one year before it premiered.
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
2007
By 2007, the actress’s signature look starts to take shape, thanks to thick, winged liner extended to elongate the eyes, major mascara that emphasizes each individual lower lash, and lips dressed in a hint of color.
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
2008
Just two months ahead of Twilight ’s release, Stewart goes for a grey-and-rust eyeshadow look that brings out both the blue in her eyes and the auburn in her hair.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
2008
The 2008 Twilight premiere brought throngs of fans and a YA-approved beauty look: light blue eyeshadow and an intricate updo that surely became a most-requested look for prom-goers the following spring.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
2009
At the Adventureland premiere, the actress tries a different look: bold, pinky-red lips, flushed cheeks, and eyelids swathed in pastels.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
2009
Seven years ahead of the great burgundy eye trend that swept Hollywood, Stewart boldly wears the eye color on upper and lower lids.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
2010
A sleek updo with texture and lift and grey-blue eyeshadow comprises a quintessential beauty look for Stewart, seen here at the Academy Awards, in 2010.
Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images.
2010
The blueprint is lightened up a bit with more subtle eye makeup and a cool-girl ponytail, worn to the MTV Movie Awards the same year.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
2010
Notice the pink eyeshadow, used to make the actress’s kohl-rimmed eyes shine in 2010? It’s a makeup shade that prevailed in 2016 and is still going strong.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.
2011
We rarely see Stewart with va-va-voluminous hair, but this amplified style (worn to the 2011 MTV Movie Awards) is #hairgoals even for today.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
2012
Something tells us that Elizabeth Taylor (who was punk rock in spirit), would have loved this contemporary take on her famous Cleopatra eye look.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
2012
Gilded eyeshadow brings out the gold flecks in Stewart’s green eyes, while loose waves and fuschia lipstick are a nod to classic Hollywood, with a twist.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
2013
Many A-list stars had a tough time interpreting the 2013 Met Gala’s theme: PUNK: Chaos to Couture. Kristen Stewart’s beauty look was not only spot on, but it also blatantly foreshadowed a major trend to come: burgundy eyeshadow.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
2013
This monochromatic makeup look, worn in 2013 (and again, ahead of its heyday) feels modern and timeless at once.
Photo: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage.
2014
When Kristen chopped her hair in July of 2014, we were both enamored by that lived-in orange shade that seemed to cast a halo of light around her face and the deep hair flip, which gave serious DGAF vibes.
Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage.
2014
By November of 2014, the actress had cut her hair even shorter and exaggerated that hair flip, a version of which both Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Bell both wore to the Oscars this year.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
2014
Those black-meets-blue, kohl-rimmed eyes? That deep side part and perfectly-textured hair? Friends, it’s looks like these that lead to fronting Chanel makeup campaigns.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.
2014
What better time to wear bold, red lipstick than when in France? The Equals actress goes for a power look at the 2015 Venice Film Festival — and totally wins.
Photo: Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage.
2016
The eyes have it: Stewart shines in twisty, platinum hair and a chromed-out, graphic eye look at the “Manus x Machina”-themed Met Gala in 2016.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
2016
Killing it at Cannes, much, Kristen? Platinum hair, orangey-red lips, and lashes for days says spring has sprung in the best way possible.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images.
2016
Strong brows, ultra-glossy lips and wrap-around eyeshadow. It's like a roll call for 2017 spring beauty trends, one year early.
Photo: Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic.
2016
We love this look (complete with another Stewart signature: smudged liner in a glossy finish) because it feels most authentic to Stewart’s off-duty style. Want a peek? Just check the behind-the-scenes footage of her directorial debut.
Photo: George Pimentel/Getty Images.
2017
At the New York premier of Personal Shopper, the actress reveals a platinum buzz cut and pink ombre eyes. She might not be used to the look just yet, but we think it suits her perfectly.
Photo: Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
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