The Beauty Evolution of Cara Delevingne, from Model-on-the-Rise to It-Brit Icon
by Sarah Wu, Teen Vogue
Photos: Nick Harvey/WireImage, Dominique Charriau/WireImage, Karwai Tang/WireImage
By now, it’s inevitable that you’ve seen supermodel Cara Delevingne kill it in countless campaigns for brands like Topshop, Burberry and DKNY—not to mention this month’s Vogue cover. Of course, being Cara, she’s been busy embarking on more ventures than we can keep track of, all while keeping things completely open (and often endearingly goofy) with her 17 million Instagram followers.
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In celebration of her 23rd birthday, it’s time to revisit every hair and makeup highlight of her red carpet career. Yes, those bold brows remain a constant fixture throughout, but she never shies away from shaking up the rest of her look. Whether it’s a textbook red lip or a chic new take on body art, she’s clearly got the whole beauty muse thing down.
Read on to see Cara’s beauty evolution in action.
September 2010
Has Cara ever had a bad brow day? We doubt it, and even at 18, she knows how to wear them flawlessly. In this case, that means leaving them alone—and pairing them with a subtle kitten flick and glowy pink cheeks.
Photo: Getty Images
September 2010
Bold eyes pair well with a strong brow, as evidenced here. She keeps her hair and makeup simple to emphasize those intensely tightlined eyes, finished off with a fluttery fringe and lots of black shadow. For a similar effect, try layering a smudgy kohl liner over primer (so it doesn’t streak).
Photo: Getty Images
November 2010
Models have a thing for finessing fresh-faced beauty, and Cara is no exception. Here, she pulls her hair back in a messy ponytail, but her polished arches and dewy skin keep things looking deliberately disheveled—and chic.
Photo: Getty Images
March 2011
Cara’s eyes are gorgeous even when makeup-free, but they turn piercing when she plays them up with some meticulous tightlining. A super-precise effect like this one is best achieved with a liquid or gel formula. And don’t forget the mascara!
Photo: Getty Images
June 2011
She channels bohemian beauty at a summer party, pulling on a colorful, stretchy headband and leaving the rest of her hair slightly windswept. Her makeup plays off the pared-down vibe, minimal and clean to let her hair accessory (and naturally, brows) do most of the talking.
Photo: Getty Images
September 2011
Cara keeps warm in a cozy plaid coat while channeling laid-back cool at Fashion’s Night Out. It probably helps to have the bone structure of a supermodel, but this a prime example of how to make the less-is-more aesthetic work.
Photo: Getty Images
December 2011
Finally, a red lip appears! She embraces color at a Burberry boutique opening, precisely filling in her pout with a classic, creamy red. Additional points for the casual side part and subtly diffused grey eyeshadow.
Photo: Getty Images
January 2012
The low side-ponytail is a new look for Cara, but like everything else she tries, it just works—thanks to the un-styled movement up front and smooth, glossy finish.
Photo: Getty Images
June 2012
The makeup hits continue with this textbook-perfect application of sultry bronze eyeshadow, which follows the shape of her winged liner and elongates her almond-shaped eyes. She adds additional drama with that tightly pinned topknot and windblown, face-framing tendrils.
Photo: Getty Images
See the rest of Cara Delevingne’s Beauty Evolution on TeenVogue.com
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