Behold: The 25 Most Memorable Oscars Beauty Moments of the New Millennium

Every year, Hollywood's A-list shows up in droves for one of the most buzzed-about nights of the year: The Academy Awards. And while the celebration of the year's best films is the reason for the gathering, it's the red carpet arrivals, where we get the first glimpses of what everyone is wearing, that really grabs our attention. And, sure, it's always an evening stacked with the dreamiest couture and more dazzling jewels than we can count, but the beauty moments are also downright iconic.

Over the last several decades, the hype around the Oscars and the enviable beauty looks put on display have only gotten bigger, better, and more glamorous. That's why we decided to take a look back at the showstopping hair and makeup moments that defined the 2000s, 2010s, and beyond to bring you a nostalgic edit of the 25 best Oscars beauty looks of the new millennium. Keep scrolling for all looks that still live in our heads rent-free.

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WHO: Julia Roberts

WHAT: 73rd Annual Academy Awards, 2001

WEAR: Julia's elegant high ponytail with those smooth, side-swept bangs just scream, "give me an Oscar." 

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WHO: Jennifer Lopez

WHAT: 73rd Annual Academy Awards, 2001

WEAR: J.Lo has been synonymous with gorgeous, radiant skin since the early aughts. Just look at that glow.

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WHO: Halle Berry

WHAT: 74th Annual Academy Awards, 2002

WEAR: This spiky pixie is still undefeated.

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WHO: Nicole Kidman

WHAT: 74th Annual Academy Awards, 2002

WEAR: If you ask us, this strawberry blonde hair color and cute barrel curls are due for a comeback.

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WHO: Jennifer Lopez

WHAT: 75th Annual Academy Awards, 2003

WEAR: This ethereal, retro look is perfect. Everything just works from the sleek updo to the glowing skin and soft wash of color over the lids.

Get the look:

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WHO: Charlize Theron

WHAT: 76th Annual Academy Awards, 2004

WEAR: Charlize was giving sun-kissed glamazon with this look and we are still living for it.

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WHO: Gwyneth Paltrow

WHAT: 77th Annual Academy Awards, 2005

WEAR: Yes, volume! Yes, glow!

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WHO: Reese Witherspoon

WHAT: 79th Annual Academy Awards, 2007

WEAR: This shot of Reese's flushed, glowy skin and wind-swept, brow-grazing fringes is straight-up art.

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WHO: Beyoncé

WHAT: 79th Annual Academy Awards, 2007

WEAR: Beyoncé doesn't always turn up at the Oscars, but she turns out an incredible beauty look like this one when she does. That honey-brown hair color? Just yes.

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WHO: Kate Winslet

WHAT: 81st Annual Academy Awards, 2009

WEAR: This look is so regal. Princess Grace would be proud.

Get the look:

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WHO: Meryl Streep

WHAT: 82nd Annual Academy Awards, 2010

WEAR: Queen Meryl can do no wrong, but this flowy updo was an especially glorious beauty moment for her.

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WHO: Angelina Jolie 

WHAT: 84th Annual Academy Awards, 2012

WEAR: It's the red lips for us.

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WHO: Penelope Cruz

WHAT: 84th Annual Academy Awards, 2012

WEAR: This look fires on all cylinders. The dreamy, old Hollywood hair pairs so well with the shimmery eye shadow and dramatic lashes.

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WHO: Viola Davis

WHAT: 84th Annual Academy Awards, 2012

WEAR: Now, here's an absolute goddess if we ever saw one. The shimmery green eye shadow is one thing, but the copper-colored coils are next level.

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WHO: Catherine Zeta-Jones 

WHAT: 85th Annual Academy Awards, 2013

WEAR: Those shiny, luscious locks are truly something to write home about. And don't even get us started on her flawless skin.

Get the look:

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WHO: Anne Hathaway

WHAT: 85th Annual Academy Awards, 2013

WEAR: We can always count on Anne for mega-volumized lashes and a pop of color on the lips, but it's the perfectly coifed pixie cut that has been sending us since we first saw it in 2013.

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WHO: Lupita Nyong'o

WHAT: 86th Annual Academy Awards, 2014

WEAR: Lupita could show up sans makeup and still take our breath away, but we have to say this subtle eye makeup and pink lip situation is one for the books.

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WHO: Angelina Jolie

WHAT: 86th Annual Academy Awards, 2014

WEAR: This classic makeup look delivers the perfect amount of drama, from the sultry, smudged-out eyeliner to the glossy lips.

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WHO: Zendaya

WHAT: 87th Annual Academy Awards, 2015

WEAR: Everything about this look is absolutely stunning, but those faux locs are our favorite part. 

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WHO: Nicole Kidman

WHAT: 89th Annual Academy Awards, 2017

WEAR: Nicole is forever proving that red lips and cool skin tones go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Get the look:

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WHO: Halle Berry

WHAT: 89th Annual Academy Awards, 2017

WEAR: Halle snapped with those perfectly tousled curls and warm, bronze makeup.

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WHO: Jennifer Lawrence

WHAT: 90th Annual Academy Awards, 2018

WEAR: We can't decide which part of this look is more gorgeous—the smoky eye makeup or the beachy waves.

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WHO: Regina King

WHAT: 91st Annual Academy Awards, 2019

WEAR: A wavy bob is always a good idea.

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WHO: Lady Gaga

WHAT: 91st Annual Academy Awards, 2019

WEAR: It wasn't all that long ago that Lady Gaga blessed us with this sleek, ultra-glam updo to accept her very first Academy Award.

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WHO: Janelle Monae

WHAT: 92nd Annual Academy Awards, 2020

WEAR: It just doesn't get much better than this stunning look. The sparkly hooded gown is a statement on its own, but the bold lips and lashes offer yet another "wow" moment.

Get the look:

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Associate Beauty Editor

Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.