The Beauty Evolution of Katy Perry, from Teen Dream to Pop Queen
There is no pop star better at changing up her look than Miss Katy Perry. From baby pink, to blue, to black, to everything in between, she’s had every hair color imaginable — and don’t get us started on her makeup! Smoky eyes, cat eyes, dark matte lips, she can do it all, but she hasn’t always been so out-there with her looks.
In the beginning, Katy was all about clean, bare skin and easy surfer girl waves — but what else would you expect from a classic California girl? As her music has gotten bigger and bigger and she’s become one of the biggest superstars on the planet, she’s become way bolder in her hair and makeup choices. Watch her style transform over the years in these photos, and don’t forget to take notes.
Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage1/32September 2002
Even with zero makeup, 18-year-old Katy Perry kept things cool with a short shaggy bob. All she needed was a little moisturizer and a cool printed tee and she was ready to make magic in the studio.
Photo: Mark Sullivan/WireImage2/32August 2006
Katy was the picture of a California gurl at a shopping party in L.A. With bronze eye makeup, surfer girl waves, and a fresh summer glow, she looked like she stopped off at the beach before making her way to the boutique.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images3/32May 2008
2008 was without a doubt Katy’s year. She burst onto the scene with “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot n Cold” and ahem her super eccentric style. This floral headpiece and bright red lip was a pretty tame early look — but it definitely gave fans a glimpse at what was to come.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic4/32February 2009
Once Katy hit official superstar status, it was time to go glam — just in time for the 2009 Grammy Awards. With bright pink lips, major false lashes, and short Old Hollywood-style hair, she completely stole the show.
Photo: Chris Polk/FilmMagic5/32May 2009
But Katy’s also a master of seriously bright hues. She took her look to the next level for a party in L.A. with neon green and blue eyes and a shimmering hot pink pout.
Getty Images6/32June 2010
Some of our all time favorite Katy Perry looks are these crazy colored wigs. On anyone else, this bold blue ‘do could be overwhelming, but Katy keeps it simple with classic rosy cheeks, a cat-eye, and a subdued (but shiny!) lip.
Photo: WireImage7/32September 2010
The MTV Video Music Awards are all about fun — so what could be more appropriate than pink, purple, and blue streaks? Again, this could’ve been a crazy look, but by keeping her makeup minimal, Katy makes it work.
Photo: C Flanigan/FilmMagic8/32February 2011
Approximately 98% of Katy Perry’s makeup looks are major #promgoals. Try this purple on top, green on the bottom glitter eye look this year — and follow her lead with pretty, wavy hair.
Photo: C Flanigan/FilmMagic9/32August 2011
Katy switched to the dreamiest pink-purple hair color in 2011. Sheer violet eye shadow and a floral headpiece were just icing on the cake.
Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images10/32November 2011
Katy has never been afraid to make a statement. She went for a rockabilly vibe with half-up hair and curled bangs, then completed the look with teal eyeliner and over-the-top lashes.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic11/32November 2011
The pop star proved pink hair isn’t so difficult with a (surprisingly) non-clashing orange-red lipstick.
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic12/32February 2012
But it was back to blue by 2012. Katy added an extra pop of color with a bubblegum pink lip, lined her eyes with liquid liner, and pulled everything together perfectly with a matching blue top.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage13/32February 2012
Katy showed off her chicer side later that month with a super glossy asymmetric haircut. Blue shadow made her eyes totally pop, while a shiny nude lip kept things subdued.
Photo: Getty Images for KCA14/32March 2012
No one does rainbow hair like Katy. With hot pink lipstick and a neon green top, Katy put a new millennial spin on Madonna’s classic braided ponytail.
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic15/32May 2012
The star went super moody with this dark look. Decked out in all-black, the pop star went goth with bold purple locks and a maroon pout — this is definitely a different Katy than we’re used to seeing.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic16/32February 2013
Could she look any more perfect? Katy showed off her flawless complexion with a peachy pink smoky eye, the perfect nude lip, and impeccably groomed brows at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WireImage17/32September 2013
But this star always keeps us on our toes. She seemed to be channeling the best of the ‘90s with these double buns and dark red lip — and it was totally working!
Photo: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images18/32December 2013
Katy tried Madonna’s trademark ponytail again in 2013, but added an extra braid and bright red lips to keep things fresh.
Getty Images19/32January 2014
Katy always steals the show at the Grammys — and this retro updo and pretty pink lip look was no different.
WireImage20/32March 2014
How classic is this? Katy showed off a shiny new bob on a 2014 trip to Japan, and tied it up with a cute striped headband. A chic cat-eye and matte red lip were all she needed to finish this look.
Getty Images21/32February 2015
Can you say “brow goals”? Katy looked like a true queen in 2015 with this curled lilac bob, her signature cat-eye, and the tough addition of a silver nose ring.
WireImage22/32March 2015
Katy nailed the dark lip at the premiere of “The Prismatic World Tour.” With perfectly messy hair, mascara, and, yes, that rad matte lipstick, she was ready to rule.
Getty Images23/32May 2015
Katy, is that you? The pop star shocked us all when she stepped out at the 2015 Met Gala with a super short crop. It was just a wig, but we think she should definitely consider trying this look again.
FilmMagic24/32September 2015
Just when we thought we’d seen Katy with every hair color under the sun, she surprised us all with this stunning auburn ‘do. Considering dying your hair? Take this pic in to the salon.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images25/32January 2016
But Katy has never looked more elegant than she did at the 2016 Golden Globes. Super bumped up hair? The most perfect cat-eye ever? The perfect pink lip? It was all there, and it was amazing.
Photo: FilmMagic26/32April 2016
Katy kept the retro look going for the Academy of Country Music Awards with half-up hair, the perfect cat-eye, and a hot pink lip.
Photo: WireImage27/32April 2016
The star traded in her liquid liner for smoky shadow a week later for a charity event in L.A. With a slick updo and flawless skin, all eyes were on, well, her eyes.
Photo: Getty Images28/32May 2016
It was all about over-the-top drama at the 2016 Met Gala. With geometric bangs and pitch black lipstick, Katy fit right in.
Photo: Dave Benett/WireImage29/32May 2016
The songstress chose a more traditional look for amfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala — and proved that a classic red lip will never go out of style.
Photo: Getty Images30/32June 2016
A super smokey eye can be tough to pull off, but with an edgy side part and a natural nude lip, Katy makes it look like the easiest (and coolest) thing around.
Photo: WireImage31/32October 2016
How elegant is this intricate updo? Naturally, Katy makes it her own with a tiny silver nose ring and a metallic pink lip. #Goals.
32/32Want more Teen Vogue? Make sure to ‘Like’ us on Facebook.