From bold editorial statements to classic glamour looks, revisit the unforgettable makeup moments that cemented Zendaya as a modern beauty icon.&nbsp;

PHOTOS via Getty Images

There’s no denying that the woman of the moment is Zendaya. From the latest season of Euphoria to the upcoming releases of The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, many are describing her as having a ‘generational run.’ However, the conversations don't just stop there. Together with longtime image architect Law Roach, Zendaya has redefined the art of red carpet dressing, transforming every arrival, press tour, and premiere into a study in method dressing.&nbsp;
More recently, however, it wasn’t only her outfits that captured the internet's attention, but it was her glam as well. Yet, while this has become social media’s new obsession, Zendaya’s beauty game has always been up the level as her well-celebrated style. With that, we’ve listed below some of the award-winning actress’ most memorable makeup moments in the past decade.&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Odyssey Press Tour</h4>

From storied archival ensembles to pieces pulled straight from the 2027 collections, Zendaya has been on a hot streak for the press tours for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. But more than that, she has also been hitting the beauty department alongside celebrity makeup artist Ernesto Casillas, becoming the talk of the town for her glam that’s literally made her look like Athena reborn.&nbsp;

One that sparked online conversations is this luminous glam defined by the matte ivory highlight swept across the inner corners of her eyes. What made this stand out is its departure from the traditional shimmery highlighter, replacing it with a soft, velvety finish that lent her look a porcelain-like quality. This subtle yet impactful detail complemented this sculptural Schiaparelli couture gown that is literally fresh off the runway.&nbsp;

While the frosted blue eyeshadow and baby pink blush look is a definitive Y2K staple, Casillas brought the nostalgic pairing into new territory by matching it with bronzed-up skin and nude lips that added a refreshing contrast. The cool-toned pop of color instantly brightened Zendaya’s eye, updating the early-2000s combination with a contemporary, sun-kissed sensibility.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The actress has delivered yet another beauty viral moment at the New York premiere, where her feathered gown was paired with a delicate no-makeup makeup glam. While the previous looks leaned into the power of eyeshadow, this makeup is all about the sun-drenched, moisture-rich skin, with strategically placed warm blush that recreates the natural flushing of the skin. Adding a layer of intentionality, the blush extended to her collarbones, while the bare eyes and rosy lips finished the look with radiance and understatement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Spider-Man Movie Series</h4>

Just as every generation has its own Spider-Man, each has its own ‘Mary Jane Watson’ as well — and fortunately, this generation found theirs in Zendaya. As she now prepares to reprise her role for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it is the perfect time to review the beauty looks that have accompanied her throughout her MCU journey from then to now.&nbsp;

Among Zendaya’s red carpet looks for this movie series, this custom web-inspired Valentino creation for the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere remains one of the crowd favorites. More than the sequined gown and a lace black mask she wore entering the carpet, the actress extended the concept through a dramatic eye makeup composed of layered blue-and-white wings and a floating crease. Kept balanced with a flawless complexion and glossy nude lips, the look felt experimental yet elevated.&nbsp;

One thing about Zendaya is that she’s not afraid to give you the drama (pun intended) — and this beauty is no different. Wearing a gray double-breasted jacket from Alexander McQueen and thigh-high boots, both adorned in dazzling sequins and jewels, she completed the ensemble with a diffused smoky eye that brought depth and intensity to the outfit.&nbsp;

With the press tours for Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially underway, the actress has already added a series of memorable makeup looks to her growing beauty portfolio. This includes this purple-and-blue eye moment from a fan event in Berlin. Matching the crystalline blue earrings she wore, Ernesto Casillas tied the entire look together with shimmering hues that made her appearance feel both playful and polished.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Minimalist makeup has long been one of Zendaya’s go-to looks, but this glam for a photocall in Madrid is just chef’s kiss. The warm-toned eye makeup and the coffee-toned lip liner just enhanced her natural beauty effortlessly. However, the highlight of the beauty is the wispy eyelashes, whose spiky silhouette is a subtle nod to spiders.

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Drama Premiere</h4>

For the premiere of The Drama early this year, Zendaya and Law came up with the idea of using the English rhyme, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," as their inspiration. For her ‘something blue,’ they went for this incandescent Schiaparelli gown made up of thousands of feathers. Echoing the ensemble’s luminosity, the makeup unfolded as an ombré moment, where metallic blues framed the eyes while a wash of champagne shimmer melted through the crease.&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2025 Golden Globes</h4>

Channeling old Hollywood glamour for the 2025 Golden Globes, where she was nominated for&nbsp;The Challengers, the actress leaned into a monochromatic copper palette, from her voluminous, curled bob to her smoked orange-brown eye makeup. A generous flush of peach blush and coordinating brown lips rounded the look as well, proving that she had already donned the ‘toasty’ makeup trend that took over feeds later that year.&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Challengers Press Tour</h4>

For the Australian leg of the tour, Zendaya fully embraced the lawn-green palette, carrying the color from her custom Loewe dress to her beauty look. Arriving at Sydney's State Theatre, she stepped out on the carpet with an iridescent dress that was complemented by sparkling green eyeshadow that caught light in every turn, while her honey blonde hair, now synonymous with The Challengers press tour, softened the vibrancy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Another thing about Zendaya is that she never shies away from a pop of color, whether it’s through her fashion, accessories, or glam — just like this iconic red lip moment. While many tend to steer clear of a bold crimson lipstick, the star turned it into the focal point of her all-white, Wimbledon-inspired number, allowing the hue to punctuate the otherwise crisp outfit with unmistakable confidence.&nbsp;

Every year, when the conversations turn to the Met Gala, Zendaya’s name has consistently topped the list of celebrities people most want to see on the carpet. So, when she was announced as a co-chair for the 2024 edition following a five-year hiatus, expectations were understandably sky-high — and the style icon surely did not disappoint, stepping out in two looks that lived up to the anticipation.

With the theme The Garden of Time, Zendaya first arrived on the carpet in this custom Maison Margiela Artisanal gown by John Galliano that is detailed with botanical embellishments, manipulated sheer fabrications, and a dramatic fascinator. The look felt as though it belonged to the pages of a dark fantasy tale, heightened by her vampy, theatrical glam. A veil of scarlet eyeshadows melted into the dark berry hue that punctuated her eye, while a burgundy lip intensified the drama. Eschewing her signature bronzed complexion and full brows, she opted for a pale, porcelain finish and pencil-thin, bleached arches that lent the look a haunting allure.&nbsp;

And when you thought Zendaya had just served her best-dressed moment of the night, she revealed yet another unforgettable ensemble as the evening drew to a close. This time, she slipped into an archival 1996 Victorian off-shoulder gown by John Galliano for his debut Givenchy collection. Crowned with a bouquet-like, vintage headpiece from Alexander McQueen, the look took on an entirely different mood as she replaced her dark romantic glam with a delicate, nude palette — a makeup transformation that will be remembered as one of the Met Gala’s most impressive quick changes.

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2023 SAG Awards</h4>

One of the reasons why Zendaya’s glam always stands out lies in an often-overlooked detail: her eyelashes. The star’s appearance at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards is a testament to that. Accompanying her rosette-covered Valentino gown, Zendaya, together with her makeup artist Raoúl Alejandre at the time, leaned into a saccharine, ‘60s-inspired makeup by pairing a petal-pink palette, soft shimmer, and segmented lower lashes reminiscent of model and actress Twiggy. &nbsp; &nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2022 Vanity Fair Oscar’s Party</h4>

Who would ever forget this power suit moment from Zendaya? The actress does love a good tailored ensemble, but this one from Sportmax with its sharp silhouette remains one of her most iconic. The beauty look, however, equally deserves a spotlight because remarkably — but perhaps not surprisingly — she did it herself. Complementing the outfit, Zendaya did a metallic charcoal smoky eye with an elongated wing that played off the structure of the suit. Finished with a chiselled skin and glossy nude lips, the result was sleek, modern, but with a little bit of edge.&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Dune: Part 1 Press Tour</h4>

Attending the Venice Film Festival for Dune, the fashion maven delivered a look where every detail commanded attention. From the sculptural ‘wet’ Balmain gown to the breathtaking Bvlgari 93-carat Hypnotic Emerald green necklace, it is a lesson in statement dressing. But tying the whole look together is her glam, where her striking terracotta eyeshadow, illuminated with shimmers at the center, brings warmth and dimension without competing with the ensemble.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Another standout beauty look from the Dune press tour is this full sci-fi fantasy moment. Mirroring the film’s futuristic world, Raoúl Alejandre layered holographic lavender hues across Zendaya’s lids, punctuated with a vivid ultraviolet accent at the inner corners of her eyes. Balanced with a radiant complexion and fleshy nude lips, the glam let the cosmic eye take center stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2020 Critics' Choice Awards</h4>

One of the red carpet moments that cemented Zendaya as a modern style icon was when she stepped out in this custom metallic fuchsia breastplate and matching flowing skirt from Tom Ford at the 2020 Critics’ Choice Awards, which made the Internet go crazy. It was even made more memorable by a monochromatic glam defined by the glittery pink eyeshadow and a glossy lip that extended the vividness of the ensemble.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If Zendaya has proven anything over the years, it’s that she is a true chameleon. While she may have been embodying a Grecian goddess in the past few days, the 2019 Met Gala saw her step on the carpet as Cinderella — quite literally. Given her Disney roots, the look felt especially fitting. From the soft baby blue eyeshadow and rosy flush to the glossy pink lips and a blonde chignon, every beauty detail brought one of Disney’s most beloved princesses to life.

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2017 Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Award</h4>

Strutting down the carpet of Nickelodeon's 2017 Kids' Choice Awards, the actress was seen wearing a rust-colored slip dress from her own label,&nbsp;Daya by Zendaya. Carrying the warm metallic palette into her beauty look, she paired the ensemble with copper-toned eyeshadow swept across her lids and lower lash line, creating a seamless tonal moment that felt both sophisticated and lighthearted.&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2016 Billboard Music Awards</h4>

This beauty look is a quintessential 2016 beat — from the full, laminated-looking brow and smoky cut crease to the champagne shimmer on the lids, the barely-there blush, and the nude lips. Yet beyond a capsule of that era, it also captures Zendaya’s innate beauty sensibility beyond trends. Even then, the actress was already doing her own glam, proving her eye for beauty is just as impressive as her taste for fashion.

This ensemble remains one of Zendaya’s more divisive fashion moments, and that’s the reason why it is also one of the most unforgettable. Wearing a gold, jewel-encrusted Michael Kors gown with a sleek bowl cut, the heavily diffused bronze eyeshadow created a sunken, hollowed effect that intensified the actress’ gaze. Through this, she served a beauty moment that was equal parts daring and glamorous.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">2015 Academy Awards </h4>

For her first Oscars red carpet, Zendaya donned a timeless Hollywood glamour, making a memorable debut in an ivory Vivienne Westwood gown (which she later wore again for The Drama press tour). The softly smoked eye, glowing skin, and rosy lips framed her features, while her bold, perfectly arched brows stole the show — hinting at the beauty feature that would later become one of her most recognizable signatures.

23 Looks Proving Zendaya Never Misses — Even in Beauty

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