Before finding a go-to makeup artist in Sheika Daley [1], you might be surprised to learn that Zendaya mostly did her own makeup [2]. Yes, she has created most of the amazing eyeshadow, lip, eyeliner, and contour looks you're going to see in this list after learning what she likes and what she doesn't from some of the biggest industry experts in the world.
It seems hard to believe considering her quick ascent into Hollywood superstardom after her starring role in HBO Max's "Euphoria," [3] but we've been watching Zendaya [4] grow up for almost a decade now. Since her early days as a Disney Channel star, we've seen her evolve from fresh-faced tween actor to a grown-up style icon. Even as a teenager, Zendaya [5] always had an eye for colorful, creative, and downright gorgeous makeup looks, reinventing herself on every red carpet.
Since becoming the face of legendary beauty brand Lancôme back in 2019, she's continued pushing beauty and fashion boundaries (frankly, we're just waiting for her to drop her own makeup line [6]). But that's not all. From her trendy reverse eyeliner [7] at the 2021 premiere of "Dune" to those Twiggy-inspired eyelashes at the 2023 SAG Awards [8], keep reading to see some of her best makeup moments over the years.
Zendaya's Twiggy Eyelashes
At the 2023 SAG Awards, Zendaya [9] pulled inspiration from her Valentino dress, wearing a baby pink blush that extended up to her brow bone. Our favorite part of her look, though, had to be her wispy, doll-like lashes. The star's bottom eyelashes were coated with a heavy hand of mascara, giving them a retro Twiggy feel.
Zendaya's Reverse Eyeliner
No surprise here: Zendaya [10] showed up to the "Dune" special screening in London wearing the year's biggest trend, reverse eyeliner [11]. She picked a bold purple hue to pop against her cream dress.
Zendaya's Copper Makeup
While promoting her film "Dune" [12] at the London Film Festival, Zendaya [13]'s neutral, copper-toned makeup peeked out from under her fresh bangs haircut [14].
Zendaya's Bold Lashes
The bowl cut! The bold eyeshadow! The Twiggy-inspired eyelashes! Zendaya [15]'s entire beauty look — created by makeup artist Raoúl Alejandre [16] — for the November cover story of InStyle deserved a standing ovation.
Zendaya's Brown Smoky Eye
Zendaya [17] matched a brown smoky eye look to her beige Balmain dress at the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
Zendaya's Pink Eyeshadow
It was hard to take our eyes off Zendaya's Tom Ford ensemble at the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards [18], but we'd be remiss not to say her punch of fuchsia eyeshadow brought just as much pink Power Ranger energy.
Zendaya's Coral Lipstick
Looking like a bona-fide ballerina, Zendaya [19] stepped on the red carpet in 2019 with a high bun that let her coral lipstick take center stage.
Zendaya's Bold Eyeliner
Zendaya [20] updated her usual standby of dark liner and smoky eyeshadow with a hint of highlighter and a pretty, neutral lip for the 2019 premiere of "Spider-Man: Far From Home" in Los Angeles.
Zendaya's Cinderella Glitter
Ice-blue glitter eyeshadow? Check. Shimmery pink blush? Check. Princess-pink lips? Check. It doesn't get any more princess-y than Zendaya [22]'s 2019 Met Gala makeup look that paired perfectly with her lit-up baby blue Tommy Hilfiger gown [23].
Zendaya's Purple Eyeshadow
Those contoured cheeks — it's hard to look away from them, but you must check out Zendaya [24]'s vivid, deep purple eyeshadow and bold eyeliner at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2018.
Zendaya's Silver Eyeshadow
Along with some seriously skillful contouring, Zendaya [25] brought her beauty A-game to Beautycon in 2018 with silver eyeshadow not just on her eyelids but also in the corner of her eyes and under her bottom lashes to make her eyes pop.
Zendaya's Pink Shadow
Instead of her go-to dark eyeliner look, Zendaya [26] kept it lighter and brighter for the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" premiere in 2017, with just a swipe of pretty pink eyeshadow and lips to match.
Zendaya's Bright Coral Lips
Coral lips and a hint of coral-toned blush [27] gave a bright pop of color to coordinate with the vividness of Zendaya's Dolce & Gabbana gown [28] at the 2018 Met Gala.
Zendaya's Green Eyeshadow
Subtle lime-green glitter to go with her dress, plus gorgeously glowing highlighter? It was a perfect combination that made Zendaya [29] look like a million bucks at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in 2017.
Zendaya's Copper Eyeshadow
The actress loves matching her makeup to her outfit — she knows it can be just the right touch to make an outfit pop. At the Kids' Choice Awards in 2017, Zendaya [30] did it right with a swipe of shimmery copper-orange shadow to go with her dress [31].
Zendaya's Glittery Eyeshadow
For the "Manus x Machina"-themed Met Gala event in 2016, Zendaya evoked a sleek, futuristic look [32] with big swipes of glittery metallic eyeshadow (and a bowl-cut wig).
Zendaya's Contoured Eyeshadow
We're seriously in awe of Zendaya [34]'s point-perfect eyeshadow contouring. At the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2016, her eyebrows were perfectly lifted, and her eyes simply looked stunning.
Zendaya's Smoky Eye
It's ridiculously hard to achieve the perfect dramatic smoky eye, but Zendaya [35] does it again and again, pairing it here at the 2nd Annual Diamond Ball in 2015 with her bold brows and simple lips.
Zendaya's Monochromatic Brown Makeup
Zendaya [36] proved herself the master of the monochrome look once again, this time at the Ebony Magazine's Power 100 Gala in 2015. Here, she pulled in warm browns and coppers from her dress to her lips to her eyes.
Zendaya's Hot-Pink Lips
Matching the Barbie theme with her makeup look, Zendaya [38] rocked a hot-pink lipstick at the Barbie Rock 'N Royals Concert in 2015. She complemented it with berry pink blush and pretty, pink-tinged eyeshadow, too.
Zendaya's Sparkly Pink Eyeshadow
Matching perfectly with her pale pink rhinestone-studded outfit, Zendaya [40]'s eye makeup for the BET Awards was gloriously pink and sparkly.
Zendaya's Frosty Eyeshadow
Zendaya [42] paired a peachy-pink lip with this frosty white-and-pink eyeshadow for a feminine, perfectly spring-y makeup look.
Zendaya's Matte Neutral Makeup
For the 2015 Met Gala, Zendaya [43] let the fashion shine. Her makeup look was instead matte and neutral with just the right amount of drama and definition around the eyes, nothing more or less to compete with her stunning hair accessory [44].
Zendaya's Teal Eyeshadow
Teal eyeshadow can so easily look too '80s, but Zendaya [45] figured out exactly how to make it work at the Kids' Choice Awards in 2015. With the pop of color just on the inner corner of her eyes and everything else in warm neutral tones, the bright color looked playful, not dated.
Zendaya's Plum Lips and Eyes
Zendaya [46] tested out a darker, sophisticated look at the 2015 Grammy Awards, with a plummy-taupe lip and coordinating eye shadow for a more dramatic style.
Zendaya's Plum Lips
For an uberstylish appearance during 2014's Fashion Week in New York, Zendaya [47] went low-key with her eye makeup but made up for it with a pop of purple on her lips (and that bandana).
Zendaya's 90s Makeup
Instead of bold, bright colors, Zendaya [48] opted for a subtle look at the American Music Awards in 2014, wearing a 90's-inspired eyeshadow in warm neutrals and a matching lip. The subtler look was just right to pair with the bolder hair and outfit.
Zendaya's Red Lipstick
At a BET Awards dinner in 2014, Zendaya [49] continued her pattern of favoring bold lips with this vivid red look. Paired with a shimmery neutral eye, it was just the right level of glam.
Zendaya's Dewy Skin
Sometimes, less is more, and Zendaya [50] got that here at the SiriusXM Studios in 2013, with a casual look that (literally) highlighted her glowing skin with mostly neutral tones.
Zendaya's Pink Lipstick
Zendaya [52] paired simple eye makeup and an edgy leather top with a punch of hot-pink lips for a look that was all her own at the Staples For Students School Supply Drive in 2012.
Zendaya's Coral Lipstick
She was only 16 at the time of the "Let It Shine" premiere in 2012, but was already starting to figure out her own iconic style with bold, coral lips that coordinated perfectly with her cute dress.