The Beauty Evolution of Emma Roberts
When your aunt just happens to be Julia Roberts, you automatically inherit a certain amount of cool factor and clout in the biz. But over the past 15 years, Emma's proven her acting chops can speak for themselves, whether she's playing a detective in Nancy Drew, a runaway petty thief in We're the Millers or a sorority president in her latest small screen role for Scream Queens. In fact, our former cover star has over 30 roles under her belt — pretty major.
As if you have doubts to Emma's staying power in the industry, the star nailed down a coveted beauty contract with Neutrogena back in 2009 for her poreless skin and her ability to nail a smoky eye with the same ease as a no-makeup makeup look. We love her hair that never quits as well, and we've waxed poetic every time she chopped her long locks into a bob. That's not to say she doesn't have some other memorable moments, too — over the years the star has alternated between blonde, black and brunette so many times, it seems like she takes advantage of every red carpet opportunity to present a new 'do.
This is clearly just the beginning for the It girl, and to celebrate her seemingly never-ending beauty evolution, we've rounded up our favorite looks, both past and present.
1/52Click through to see Emma's best hair and makeup moments!
WireImage2/52March 2001
A nine-year-old Emma made her red carpet debut for the movie Blow with naturally glowy skin, shiny brunette hair and a little bit of gloss — clearly a Neutrogena ambassador in the making.
WireImage3/52April 2004
Three years later, the star updates her beauty look during her first Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards appearance with noticeable lighter strands, a subtle hint of black liner and shimmery gloss.
Getty Images4/52February 2006
Emma switches things up with brunette, super-curly ringlets during the premiere of Aquamarine. She complements the look with a less-is-more approach to makeup: matte skin, muted lips and a couple coats of mascara to let her bouncy curls take center stage.
- Celebrity StyleKit Connor Just Buzzed All of His Hair Off
5/52March 2008
Emma debuts a shorter, shoulder-grazing cut at the She's the Man red carpet premiere. True to her signature style, she wears a whisper of makeup, which works when you have crazy-shiny hair like hers.
WireImage6/52April 2006
Emma graces us with a updo moment at the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards with a loose, loopy side bun. A few face-framing layers help the look from feeling too stuffy and the star commits to her no-makeup makeup look with a subtle wash of blush, thick lashes and the return of shiny pink gloss.
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FilmMagic7/52February 2007
If you ever needed an easy date night-ready look, take a cue from Emma's half-updo for your copying pleasure. While Emma usually favors a completely bare eye, she looks amazing with this warmed up coppery shade of shadow.
WireImage8/52March 2007
Looks like Emma is taking bouncy blowout tips from Aunt Julia with this pretty style she wore while accepting the Female Star of Tomorrow award. The color and cut complements her flawless complexion, barely-there liner and baby pink lips.
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9/52June 2007
If we had a sparkly updo this good, we'd be all smiles too. Though Emma keeps her makeup dialed back, her overall look seriously glows with this low bun topped off with a chic, glittery headband.
Getty Images10/52September 2007
Just in time for fall, Emma changes up her hair hue with a deep, chestnut brunette shade that looks stunning with her eye color. A sliver of liner on the lower lash line accentuate her eyes even further.
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WireImage11/52June 2008
Fast-forward almost a year later to the Kit Kittredge: An American Girl premiere, and the actress refreshingly begins to incorporate some color play into her makeup look with a wash of orangey shadow and coordinating coral lipstick — the perfect pops of color to an all-black outfit.
FilmMagic12/52September 2008
Think of this look as a more sophisticated version of boho chic: an easy, low-slung headband, which topped off pretty, red-tinted curls. Bonus points for the slate gray shadow and bright berry lips that go along with her subtle flush.
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Getty Images13/52December 2008
The hair color experimentation continues with a new almost-black dye job. There's no doubt she rocks brunette and blonde like a boss, but we think this jet-black shade completely suits her porcelain complexion. The star plays up her eyes with a shimmery orange ombré look that's lighter on the inner corners and warms up as they reach the outer parts of her eyes.
WireImage14/52January 2009
Because a head full of lush curls is never boring, Emma sweeps them into a messy side bun for the Hotel for Dogs red carpet premiere. She just can't get enough of red lipstick, either, which is just what her beauty look needed to elevate an all-white ensemble.
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Getty Images for Prada15/52November 2009
Few people can so seamlessly transition from brunette and blonde and back again with the same ease as Emma, but she slays it every time no matter how dark or bright she goes. Here, meet her new honey shade, which she wore with voluminous curls to bring out her highlights and matching champagne-colored shadow.
WireImage16/52February 2010
Emma may have arrived to the star-studded Valentine's Day premiere hand-in-hand with Aunt Julia, but it's her chic ponytail and smoky, shimmery eye combo that stole the show.
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WireImage17/52March 2010
This is definitive proof that her hair knows no bounds. These teased curls with a slight '80s vibe is a new look for Emma, but like everything else she tries, it works. The slicked down roots, center part make and soft brown smoky eyes make it feel more modern.
Getty Images18/52August 2010
At the Teen Choice Awards, Emma is back to brunette with this sleek, shellacked half-updo. With her hair completely out of her face, it brings further attention to her electric orange eyes.
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FilmMagic19/52October 2010
Just like that, Emma switches up her hair color again — flawlessly pulling off beachy blonde waves even in the middle of fall. On the makeup front, we never tire of her easy cat eye, nude lips and dewy skin.
Getty Images20/52February 2011
After years of nude lips being her red carpet signature, Emma surprises us with this gorgeous berry red shade that looks amazing against slightly contoured skin.
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Getty Images21/52February 2011
Later the same month, Emma arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party with this prom-perfect wavy updo and the hair texture of our dreams. Her shimmery silver shadow echoed the sparkle of her gown.
Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup22/52April 2011
The star shows exactly how a ponytail is done outside of the gym: a high-sitting style, sleeker-than-ever strands and a hidden elastic are all factors that make the look sophisticated.
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WireImage23/52November 2011
By the fall, she trades her long strands for a fresh bob, which she chooses to show off in pretty waves. Clearly, she has also found her spirit beauty animal in red lipstick.
Getty Images24/52June 2012
A testament to the versatility of bangs, Emma wears them straight across her forehead instead of her typical side sweep. Nude lips, pore-free skin and flirty lashes makes one thing obvious: she's definitely a Neutrogena girl.
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Getty Images for FOX25/52September 2013
Emma tries out a platinum blonde color — way before the trend became a thing. With hair color this bright, chunky lashes, a hint of eyeliner and monochromatic lipstick is really all it takes to look pulled together.
Getty Images26/52January 2014
New year, new 'do. Emma chops off her long locks once again—this time for an even shorter bob than the one she sported back in 2011. Her straight strands showed off her pretty layers, which were kept longer in the front to flatter her face shape.
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Getty Images27/52March 2014
Emma oozed Hollywood glamour with a wavy bob with a deep side part, curled lashes and outfit-coordinating classic red lipstick.
Getty Images28/52October 2014
To match her daring cutout dress, Emma amps up her eye makeup with a smoky eye and splashes of shiny silver shadow in all the right places. An easy updo is given some personality with undone texture and soft side bangs.
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WireImage29/52December 2014
This mic-drop beauty moment is brought to you by slicked down roots juxtaposed with soft waves, heavily lined eyes and vibrant lips.
FilmMagic30/52May 2015
Emma proves a next-level braid doesn't require a complicated style. At the Verve Clicquot Polo Classic, she stunned in a simple milkmaid-inspired braid that kept her hair out of her face and her neck cool in the summer heat. Her cheery pink lipstick echoed the pretty pastel yellow of her dress.
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Getty Images31/52July 2015
At Comic-Con, we weren't sure what we loved most: her Elsa-inspired braid or mauve lipstick. Darker brows look on-trend with her sunny blonde hue, but given her track record, we're guessing the color won't stick around very long.
Getty Images32/52August 2015
Emma proves that you don’t need to sport a bold red lip to make a major beauty statement at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards. Sunkissed skin and major — we’re talking major — lashes to do just the trick.
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Photo: WireImage33/52August 2015
Taking a cue from her onscreen alter ego, Emma debuts a decidedly Chanel look: loose, silky waves and poreless skin.
Photo: WireImage34/52September 2015
Blonde bombshell alert! Emma arrives to the 2015 Emmy’s rocking significantly lighter strands and major attitude. She keeps her makeup simple and sophisticated to offset her brand new ‘do.
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Photo: WireImage35/52October 2015
Why hide your roots when you can rock them proudly and look incredible? Emma’s darker roots give her hair added dimension and a boost of volume. Paired with a tinted lip and larger-than-life lashes (we have serious lash envy—but can you blame us?), Emma looks simply stunning.
Photo: WireImage36/52November 2015
Chop, chop! Emma hops on the celebrity lob bandwagon, debuting a gorgeous, shoulder-grazing cut and easy waves. Look no further for an inspo picture to take with you to the salon—you won’t find a more perfect cut.
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Frederick M. Brown37/52February 2016
Why wear a regular smoky eye when you can switch out classic black for burgundy? Emma's shimmery, red eye makeup totally stole the show.
Mireya Acierto38/52April 2016
Bye, blonde! Emma ditched her golden hue in favor of a warm, red tint, adding a tiny accent braid for good measure. Also excellent: her colorful makeup, which pairs bright blue eyeliner with a pale, pink lip.
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Dimitrios Kambouris39/52May 2016
Emma wore accent braids again at the Met Gala, but this time, she incorporated them into a stunning, face-framing updo. Her dramatic smoky eye had just the right amount of shimmer to balance out her colorful gown.
Mike Marsland40/52May 2016
Emma has a tendency to opt for loose curls and tousled texture over straight hair, but this is excellent proof of how well she does the sleek and chic 'do. If you look closely, you'll notice that the peach tones in her blush and lipstick perfectly echo her hair. It's color coordination at its best.
- Celebrity StyleKit Connor Just Buzzed All of His Hair Off
D Dipasupil41/52July 2016
Emma can never stay away from her bright blonde for too long (which, FYI, we found out she maintains with Olaplex treatments). She styled her choppy lob in loose waves, pairing the casual 'do with a matte, strawberry lip.
Tibrina Hobson42/52October 2016
Consider this proof you can never go wrong with a red lip. We love how Emma deliberately blurred the edges of this one, which gives it a dreamy, soft-focus effect — just the thing to wear with her mermaid mane.
- Celebrity StyleKit Connor Just Buzzed All of His Hair Off
Paul Archuleta43/52November 2016
This is a definite departure from Emma's usual beauty style, and we can't get enough. The actress swapped out her usual earth tones and cool-toned colors for coordinating, orange eyeshadow and blush. The effect is surprisingly fresh, giving her an almost sunlit glow.
Matt Winkelmeyer44/52January 2017
New year, new...way to wear eyeliner? Instead of sweeping an eye pencil across her lower lashline, Emma opted for a single dot below each eye for a cool twist on her usual makeup. We'll take this over knifeliner any day.
- Celebrity StyleKit Connor Just Buzzed All of His Hair Off
45/52February 2017
And here's her first mane makeover of the year! Emma swapped her blonde strands for cayenne spice hair, and the new hue looks amazing on her. We're even detecting a slight tinge of blorange in this photo. Looks like the trend is here to stay!
Getty Images46/52February 2017
One thing is certain: Emma’s cayenne spice hair gave us life. In honor of the Oscars, she styles it in beautiful, brushed-out curls — with zero flyaways in sight.
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Getty Images47/52February 2017
Emma knew then — and now — that no makeup look will ever be quite as classic a bright crimson lip. The pop of color on her lips played well with her vibrant strands.
Getty Images48/52March 2017
Emma took the schoolgirl-chic route by securing her strands to the side with two bobby pins, so you can fully focus on how cool her clumpy mascara looked. Can’t stop staring!
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Getty Images49/52March 2017
Emma’s one to watch for her never-ending experimentation with different hair colors — this rich chocolate hue was no exception. Swept back into tousled waves, her darker strands gave off goddess vibes.
Getty Images50/52April 2017
Emma proved that you’re never too old to rock pigtails — especially when they turn out this pretty.
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Getty Images51/52May 2017
Emma debuted a richer, slightly more reddish hair shade at the 2017 Met Gala, playing up her new hue with similarly toned copper makeup and a creamy lip.
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