Vanessa Hudgens's Beauty Evolution
Vanessa Hudgens is known for her spot-on festival style — but is it any wonder the California native is a poster child for effortless waves and glowing skin? Before catching her big break with High School Musical, Vanessa grew up along the West Coast where the low-key beachy beauty must have made quite the impression on her.
Since then, Vanessa’s starred in films, TV shows, and on the stage — but as famous as she’s become, she’s never forgotten her Cali cool-girl roots. Dominating the red carpet, Vanessa’s made perfect wavy strands, cool braids, and bronzed cheeks practically her trademark — but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t experimented with a dark lip or chignon or two. Click through to see how Vanessa’s hair and makeup has evolved over the years, and don't be surprised if you're tempted to try out a look or two for yourself!
1/38Remember her High School Musical days?
Photo: Getty Images2/38July 2004
2004’s Thunderbirds was one of Vanessa’s first major roles, but she showed up to the premiere looking like a total seasoned pro. Mixing beachy vibes with Hollywood glam, the star donned a pretty pink lip gloss, mascara, and a flower in her hair — perhaps a preview of her future as a Coachella queen?
Photo: Getty Images3/38May 2006
Vanessa started performing at an early age, but her real big break came with the High School Musical series. Celebrating the first film’s DVD launch, Vanessa tried out a party-ready curled updo and bronzed smoky eye look. Prom-spiration, anyone?
Photo: FilmMagic4/38August 2007
Is this the perfect beach wave or what? With kohl-lined eyes and clean, matte skin, Vanessa took the look out of the water and onto the red carpet.
Photo: WireImage5/38August 2008
The star showed off her sleeker side with silky straight strands later that year. A cool, purple smoky eye and pink lip gloss rounded out the look.
Photo: Getty Images6/38April 2009
Every girl tries bangs once in her life — okay, usually multiple times in her life — and Vanessa Hudgens is no different. For her fringe, Vanessa went for thick, straight-across bangs, highlighted by peach blush and coordinating lipstick. We wonder why she never stuck with the style!
Photo: WireImage7/38April 2010
How cool is this voluminous side ponytail Vanessa wore to a party in 2010? This is one style we can’t wait to bring back!
Photo: WireImage8/38February 2011
Vanessa’s known for her long locks, but in 2011, she showed off a whole new ‘do. With a trendy lob cut (accessorized with light purple shadow and pale pink lips), the star showed off a fresh new variation of her signature waves. If you want to get the look at home, make sure to wrap your hair around your curling iron manually, rather than twisting it up in the barrel.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup9/38August 2011
Vanessa took to the salon later that year — this time going super short for a role as a homeless teen in Gimme Shelter. When she wasn’t in character on set for the film, she was going full-on glam with pretty staples like black eyeliner and hot pink lips.
Photo: WireImage10/38August 2011
Later that month, Vanessa turned things up a notch with flapper-esque finger waves. A purple and red smoky eye and berry red lips polished things to perfection.
Photo: WireImage11/38September 2011
You know that awkward phase everyone goes through when growing out their hair? Vanessa totally skipped that. (Jealous!) By keeping her growing strands all one length, Vanessa maintained a super chic style through and through.
Photo: WireImage12/38September 2012
Another year, another stunning curled updo. Copy Vanessa’s style at home with a large curling iron, a few bobby pins, and an easy, lightweight hairspray.
Photo: WireImage13/38February 2013
Vanessa can pull off Cali girl vibes better than most, but hitting up New York Fashion Week in 2013, she proved she could do edgy too. With a middle part; a sleek,straight bob; and a sheer red lip, the star showed off one of her best styles yet.
Photo: WireImage14/38August 2013
Vanessa gave a braided updo an ombre twist for an event in 2013. With her signature black-lined eyes and a peachy nude lip, the look was seriously date night #goals.
Photo: FilmMagic15/38December 2013
Later that year, the actress went back to her dark roots, adding a cherry red lip and some serious false lashes. Glam, no?
Photo: Getty Images for Hollywood Domino16/38February 2014
By 2014, Vanessa’s love of lashes had only intensified, as this stellar smoky eye shows. With simple pulled-back hair and a barely there nude lip, the star kept the rest of the look appropriately pared down.
Photo: FilmMagic17/38July 2014
Vanessa went ombre again later that year (and just in time for summer!), this time with super-blonde tips. With glowing skin and a winning smile, the star epitomized warm weather chic.
Photo: WireImage18/38September 2014
Bye-bye beach waves! Vanessa made her light hair fall-ready with a super dark lip color and tons of mascara.
Photo: WireImage19/38October 2014
Vanessa even looks cool when she’s celebrating Halloween! The star may have attempted a scary look, but with matching bright red lips and hair, she looked hauntingly chic!
Photo: FilmMagic20/38August 2015
Vanessa brought her love of music festival beauty to the MTV Movie Awards with braided half-up hair (accessorized by golden floral hair pins), rose gold lips, and glittering eyeliner. Coachella queen, indeed!
Photo: WireImage21/38September 2015
Vanessa’s not afraid of a quirky look every now and then. Celebrating the king of quirk, Jeremy Scott, the actress stood out with two buns, a bold cat eye, and playful purple-pink lips.
Photo: FilmMagic22/38January 2016
Va-va-voom! Vanessa bid farewell to her boho ways for the 2016 People’s Choice Awards with this smoky eye, metallic lip look. And that teased-up take on the bob? The literal height of sophistication.
Photo: FilmMagic23/38January 2016
Is there anything better than a traditional ballet bun? Adding some major false lashes and bold brows, Vanessa made the case for the classic style — and proved herself equally fitting for formals and festivals.
Photo: Getty Images24/38February 2016
No one does Old Hollywood glam quite like Vanessa. All eyes were on her at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party with these soft curls and mega lashes.
Photo: Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly & People25/38May 2016
Hello Vanessa! This ‘70s-inspired curly ‘do is one of her best looks yet. Bold brows and tons of mascara were merely the cherry on top.
Photo: Getty Images26/38June 2016
Vanessa has been loving the choker trend this summer. And what better way to show it off than with a sleek ponytail?
Jason LaVeris27/38June 2016
Vanessa's long tousled waves were the very definition of boho chic. Airbrushed makeup proved to be the perfect finishing touch.
Photo: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images28/38__July 2016 __
Everyone’s been cutting their hair shorter and shorter this year. Making an appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego, Vanessa proved wavy haired girls truly pull it off best.
Frederick M. Brown29/38September 2016
Vanessa experimented with a brand new (much shorter!) length than we're used to, suddenly appearing with a shoulder-grazing lob. Caramel highlights and undone waves added dimension to her mane.
Jon Kopaloff30/38October 2016
The queen of Coachella nailed it again! She wove red roses throughout her milkmaid braid for a pretty-yet-subtle look. (We're pinning this style to our inspo. board immediately.)
David Crotty31/38October 2016
Vanessa put a new spin on the classic twisted topknot by braiding her bottom strands and sweeping them upwards into a bun. The ultimate winning element of this look, though, was her dark berry lip.
David Livingston32/38January 2017
Vanessa's jet-black strands looked super sleek and ridiculously silky in this pin-straight style. Now if we could only figure out what shine spray she's using...
Venturelli33/38February 2017
Vanessa took her cat eye to daring new heights, fully lining her lids with an inky black liquid liner and ending in the perfect feline flick.
Steve Granitz34/38May 2017
Rather than rock classic curls, Vanessa gave her ends a slight bend with a curling wand, adding volume in an unexpected way.
Frazer Harrison35/38August 2017
Vanessa pulled her hair into a tight ballerina bun, ensuring no strand was ever out of place with a healthy amount of hairspray. Her pearly lip and exaggerated lashes took center stage.
Jon Kopaloff36/38August 2017
This may yet be Vanessa's best look ever. She proved that you can rock red eye makeup with a glittery crimson cat eye.
37/38August 2017
Vanessa shocked the world when she posted an Insta with platinum blonde hair, looking amazing with the icy shade and a rich red lip. Even Paris Hilton approved.
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