The Beauty Evolution of Lea Michele

From a Broadway star to Hollywood’s biggest triple threat.

October 29, 2016

Image may contain Face Human Person Lea Michele and Hair

The goals Lea Michele manages to achieve in just a single year, some people hope to accomplish in an entire lifetime. Ever since the star made her critically-acclaimed turn in Spring Awakening back in 2006, she continued to prove her acting prowess in several major theater performances before nailing the lead role in the hit TV show Glee. Since then, Lea proved her staying power in the biz with the successful launch of her first album, Louder, followed by her new book, Brunette Ambition. Seriously, does the girl ever sleep?

Lucky for us its that very ambition that gives us plenty of opportunities to see her on the red carpet. Throughout each new chapter of her career, Lea takes nearly every opportunity in the spotlight to experiment with her looks and figure out what works for her. And it turns out, there's nary a hair or makeup style that the star can't pull off. From her brunette hair that never quits to memorable lipstick moments, we documented some of Lea's best beauty looks to date.

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June 2006
At 19, Lea attended the opening night of Spring Awakening literally gleaming from head to toe with shiny curls, naturally dewy skin, and glossy lips.
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June 2007
It doesn't take long for Lea to nail down Hollywood glam. For her first Tony Awards red carpet, Lea amps up her look with tighter ringlets, extra lashes, and flawlessly matte skin.

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May 2009
For the premiere of her soon-to-be hit TV show, Glee, Lea makes the most of summer's sun-kissed skin with a natural hair and makeup look: a sliver of eyeliner, baby pink lips, and a touch of bronzer.
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June 2009
The following month for a screening of Home, the star plays up the silver in her outfit with sparkly slate eyeliner, metallic jewelry, and hair so shiny that it glows.

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September 2009
In the fall, Lea ditches her signature subtle lip look for a classic, bold red color that suits her bronze skin. This mic-drop beauty moment also gets a major assist from waist-length hair extensions.
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January 2010
The new year marks Lea's on-again off-again love affair with bangs. This ultra-flattering side swept style — combined with a subtle smoky eye, slight contour, and glossy lips — remains a favorite look for the actress even today.

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May 2010
Here, Lea officially makes her beauty looks worthy of a dedicated Pinterest board with grown-out fringe, a sky high bun and a trendy dark berry lip.
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June 2010
This time at the Tony Awards, Lea's look is punctuated with classics: an elegant updo, a timeless cat eye, and cherry red lips.

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July 2010
The actress nails down a monochromatic look with sculpting so subtle, you can barely tell she has any makeup on. An extra dose of mascara and shiny nude lips gives her style some definition and lets a flirty updo and wispy bangs take the spotlight.
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August 2010
Lea is committed to keeping things interesting with some fun color play on her lids that perfectly coordinates with her sparkly dress. She balances the look with fresh skin, natural lips, and bouncy waves.

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September 2010
The following month, Lea lightened up her locks with a few striking honey-colored highlights, but remains a brunette babe through-and-through.
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January 2011
Look no further for prom or date night inspo with this curly updo and pink lip combo Lea donned for the Golden Globe Awards. The heavier dose of eyeliner also has a gorgeous payoff.

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February 2011
We can't tell which part of her look we love the most: Her lightened brunette hair, mile-long lashes, or the glossy fuchsia lip color that brightens her whole complexion. Judging from the star's mega smile, we have a feeling she's equally obsessed with her style as well.
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February 2011
A couple of weeks later, the fun experimentation with colorful makeup continues at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Lea offers a glamorous twist to her classic smoky eye with a hint of cobalt blue liner along the lower lash line, which was most likely inspired by her sequin blue dress. Her hair pulled back into a sleek pony gives her eye makeup the attention it deserves.

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August 2011
Lea deals with the dog days of summer by sweeping her hair up into a messy top knot and securing her bangs and shorter layers with a stretchy headband. To make this gym-ready look feel a little more glam, she amps up the eye makeup by rimming the entire perimeter of her eyes and topping it off with a touch of silvery shadow.
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January 2012
By the time the new year rolls around, Lea's bangs are out and amazing lip color is in. This ultra-bright Barbie pink lip is a departure from her typical hues, but she grounds it with dewy skin, soft eyes, and an easy blowout.

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April 2012
The actress makes glamour look effortless with a wispy updo, major lashes, and strobing in all the right places.
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May 2012
Lea proves her creativity knows no bounds with this intricate boho braid and marsala lip she sported during a party. The lacy neckline of her dress totally adds to the dreamy effect.

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July 2012
We have a feeling Elsa from Frozen may have pulled her inspiration from this photo of Lea's gorgeous braided masterpiece. The star shows off her new ombré hair by slinging her pony over one shoulder and going minimalist on the makeup front.
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January 2013
It didn't take long for a major beauty company to snatch up Lea as the face of their brand. As the new face of L'Oréal, Lea proves she's worthy of the title with this cool braided updo, glowy skin, and a strong eyebrow game.

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October 2013
Lea's look takes a turn for the sultry with a gelled-back blowout, flirty lashes, and not a visible pore in sight.
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March 2014
The bangs are back! While promoting her debut album, Louder, the brunette pairs freshly chopped fringe with wavy layers and the hair texture of our dreams. For makeup, a bare eye look simply works with skin this dewy.

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March 2014
At the annual Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, Lea amps up her romantic lacy dress with loose curls swept up into a faux bob. Her hot pink lip makes a glamorous reappearance and we're starting to think it should be her new signature look.
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August 2014
In the fall, Lea switched up her usual texture for sleek, straight strands — but not without a couple elements of surprise. A ballerina bun, marsala lip color, and a thicker set of bangs took her look up several notches.

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September 2014
Brunette ambition, indeed. Lea gives us major hair envy with just-got-off-the-beach texture and volume for days. You'd think the sexy smoky eye makeup would compete, but it only adds to the overall appeal.
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February 2014
This stunning jewel green shadow is a first for the star, and here's to hoping it's not the last. Eye-grazing bangs and and a sleek blowout frame her colorful makeup look in the best way possible.

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May 2015
Lea breathes new life into the basic three-strand plait with extra volume and a few piece-y flyaways that make it feel effortless. Smoked out eyes and nude lips are all it takes to complete the look.
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July 2015
The parade of braids continues with this easy updo. A discreet French braid tucks back shorter layers in the summer heat and a couple of key tendrils make it fun. Makeup-wise the star lets her skin breathe with a hint of coverage and a simple swipe of mascara.

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October 2015
Lea went full-on glam for amfAR’s Inspiration Gala in L.A. With tons of black liner, pink cheeks, and bold brows, she was totally the belle of the ball.
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February 2016
Everyone knows the Oscars are all about elegance. Lea did not disappoint with this low bun and glowing skin look. We're guessing that her radiance is equal parts good skincare and smart makeup techniques — like the shoulder strobing trend.

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May 2016
If this pumped-up ponytail isn’t total #hairgoals, we don’t know what is! The evening 'do emphasizes her contour in the best way.
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June 2016
Getting into the summer spirit this June, Lea traded in her signature dark strands for a new blonde ‘do, keeping her dark roots for maximum edge.

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August 2016
The star went back to her roots just a few months later, styling them in cool waves for Fox’s Summer Press Tour. Her mermaid mane paired perfectly with a dewy base and dramatic lashes.
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September 2016
Another day, another wave. Lea’s deep side part at a pre-Emmy celebration was beachy beauty at its best. Bonus points for her coral blush and ever-present golden glow.

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September 2016
Lea’s clip-on bangs were just one awesome element of her iHeartRadio Music Festival look. With glowing skin, kohl-lined eyes, and a chic ponytail braid, the star nailed her glam game from head to toe.
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September 2016
Lea doesn’t often wear a red lip, but when she does, it’s always good. Here, she chose a pretty tomato hue that echoed the warm undertones in her complexion, creating a super flattering effect that still made a statement.

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October 2016
With glossy cheeks and a matte, nude lip, Lea took the highlighter trend to a whole new level. Is it just us, or does her hair look shinier than ever here? There's not a single flyaway in sight!
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