Way before there was a ‘save’ button, Selena Gomez was already inspiring “looks for later” in the form of magazine cut-outs pinned across mood boards since 2007. She might have just been a tiny 15-year-old on Wizards of Waverly then, but she swiftly bloomed into the teen queen of Disney Channel, and we have since watched her grow into a music icon, silver screen star and producer, entrepreneur, and a bright young woman full of grace (even in the face of utmost adversity), limitless talent and multi-faceted beauty—both inside and out.
Ahead of the launch of our July/August ‘Breath’ issue—in which Gomez opens up about destigmatising mental health, Rare Beauty and the art of self-love—let’s take a walk down memory lane of some of her most rave- and ‘save’-worthy beauty looks. From beachy waves and her signature cat-eye, to kaleidoscopic eyeshadow and shaggy bangs, here are 20 of Selena Gomez’s best beauty looks—stunning hair and make-up creations by the star herself, and her go-to glam squad of make-up artist Hung Vanngo and hairstylists Marissa Marino.
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2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theatre, November 2016
Gomez made a triumphant return to the spotlight (after taking time off for health reasons) looking radiant as ever at the 2016 American Music Awards. A vision in red, she kept her make-up soft but polished with a brown-grey smokey eye and a glossy nude lip, while her centre-parted low ponytail exuded just the right amount of effortless elegance.
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Premiere of Netflix's "13 Reasons Why", March 2017
The executive producer of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why attended the premiere in perfect theme—in just about 13 shades of orange. Looking like a walking sunrise, she arrived decked in a metallic Oscar de la Renta dress and ombre earrings that fused seamlessly into full face of monochromatic orange touches from eyes and cheeks to lips.
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The "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Met Gala, 1 May 2017
Selena Gomez descended upon the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Costume Institute Met Gala with one of the most striking beauty accents of the soiree—flashes of neon pink eyeshadow that coloured her entire lid from lashline to brow bone.
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BoF500 Gala, 9 September 2017
Fashion’s power players attended the BoF 500 gala in high style, and the Revelacion singer contrasted her whimsical Rodarte gown with satiny skin, a swirl of plum blush on the cheeks and a deep burgundy lip.
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2017 American Music Awards, 19 November 2017
Set to perform live for the first time after her life-saving kidney transplant, the Wolves singer debuted a platinum blonde dye job at the 2017 American Music Awards.
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Billboard Women In Music 2017, 30 November 2017
It looks as if Gomez saw the Billboard Women in Music 2017 invitation and thought to herself “modern-day goddess”. There, she accepted the ‘Woman of the Year’ award as she flaunted glowing, supernatural skin with soft definition around the eyes and cheeks, crowned by a beautifully textured, piecey up-do.
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WE Day at The Forum, 19 April 2018
Spreading awareness about kidney diseases at the world’s largest youth empowerment event with 16,000 young change makers in the audience, the lupus survivor kept things simple but strong with a statement scarlet pout and fresh skin.
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WE Day at The Forum, 25 April 2018
This time, Selena opted for a side-swept up-do, peachy-nude lips and a gorgeous navy blue cat-eye to match her plunging Dior dress.
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The Hollywood Reporter's Empowerment In Entertainment Event, 30 April 2019
Polka dots and green eyeshadow? Why not. Gomez injected a splash of metallic mint on lids with luscious lashes and a bobby pinned fringe for preppy cute touch.
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'Dolittle' Premiere, 11 January 2020
The actress who played the voice of Betsy in the movie ‘Dolittle’ completed her turtle neck and ball gown skirt ensemble with a blushing pink face, comprising pastel lids, rosy cheeks, and a sweet coral lip, and a slicked back up-do that made way for those shoulder-duster earrings and high neck silhouette to shine.
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2019 American Music Awards, 24 November 2019
The singer in chartreuse debuted yet another new look at the 2019 AMAs, this time in a ’90s-inspired shoulder-sweeping bob. Voluminous and shiny, this swishy hairstyle framed her face perfectly, with soft copper highlights that complemented her caramel matte eyeshadow and glossy peach-brown lipstick.
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2020 Hollywood Beauty Awards, 6 February 2020
With the Rare Beauty launch around the corner, only Selena and her glam team know the secret make-up shades she wore with this dreamy pink frock. The perfect mix of sweet and sultry, her decidedly undone up-do and curtain bangs drew the eye to her gorgeous lashes and a rich matte terracotta lip.
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Behind-the-scenes, March 2017
From Shay Mitchell to Kim and Khloe Kardashian, wet hair was all rage in 2016-2017. The “Fetish” singer got a sleek makeover with a shoulder-length chop and a fresh, slicked back wet look, paired with her signature smokey eye and nude lips.
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Behind-the-scenes, June 2017
When given only 15 minutes before having to rush of to watch a concert? Hung Vanngo reaches for his trusty soft eyeliner pencils for a fully kohl-rimmed eye. Minimal steps for maximum impact.
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Puma summer 2019 campaign photoshoot, March 219
2019 had a galactic eye make-up moment and this shimmering green eye sent glitter lovers into a tizzy. This Puma Summer 2019 campaign look also served much inspiration for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
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Coach x Selena Gomez launch, September 2017
The style star celebrated the Coach x Selena Gomez collection at Coach House in New York with a gleaming coral-red lip that matched her poppy accessories and cherry satin bomber jacket in store.
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'The Dead Don't Die' premiere in New York, June 2019
The star of ‘The Dead Don’t Die’ brought the drama for the zombie flick’s grand premiere, decked in a voluminous Celine fringed minidress matched with textured bun and tousled tendrils. She completed her bombshell look with a subtle smokey eye and a well-defined nude lip.
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The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, 13 January 2020
Clad in a crystal-trimmed pink minidress, the ’13 Reasons Why’ producer channeled major ’60s vibes with a voluminous half-up, half-down hairdo and a dramatic cat-eye that mod model Twiggy would’ve approved.
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Instagram reveal, April 2021
Selena took the peroxide plunge and went full-on blonde bombshell under the hands of Zero One Salon’s Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri. They made the look edgier (and easier to maintain) by intentionally leaving roots in her natural espresso shade.
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The 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival, 14 May 2019
Nothing says red carpet glamour more than a red lip, dramatic winged liner and an elaborate up-do, and Selena served all that and more with glistening skin and a braided bun at the opening ceremony of ‘The Dead Don’t Die’.
