Christy Carlson Romano Has Had Quite The Face Transformation Since Her Disney Days

Whether you got to know her as Ren Stevens on the hit Disney Channel show "Even Stevens" or you heard her voice as the lead in the animated classic "Kim Possible," Christy Carlson Romano has played a major role in the childhoods of many millennials. More than two decades after her breakthrough, Romano's career has somewhat slowed down, but the actor — who is now in her early 40s — is still working on television projects.

Since the late '90s and early aughts, Romano has noticeably changed. And with that, so has her face. Long gone are the days when Romano wore just a swipe of mascara and some lip gloss, as the star has replaced the natural look over the years. In fact, speaking of natural, photos of the "Cadet Kelly" star also showcase just how much her makeup-free face has changed, with her lips becoming fuller and her eyebrows getting a subtle lift. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Back in the late '90s, Romano was just a teen with rosy cheeks and braces.

While Christy Carlson Romano had already worked on a couple of projects prior, it was the 2002 Disney Channel series "Even Stevens" that put her in the limelight. At the time, Romano had just turned 18, and she was even wearing braces in the show. Speaking to Elle in 2022, Romano revealed that her favorite episode of the show was the one in which she starred after just having had her braces removed. "The one where my cheeks swell up ... that's when I actually got my braces off. My orthodontist is literally in one of the scenes," she explained.

By the early to mid-2000s, Romano was ready to have more fun with her look, exploring the power of makeup more boldly. Brown smoky eyes, smudged eyeliner, and frosty lips became a staple for the star, whose biggest accessory was her wide smile.

In her 20s, Christy Carlson Romano was all about exploring beauty and fashion. For her face, that meant switching between a variety of trends, from false eyelashes to thick eyeliner. In 2005, Romano was rocking copper highlights and chunky bangs, both of which transformed her face. Finding the bang style that will suit your face shape is crucial when deciding to go for the chop, and in Romano's case, the long wispy bangs worked well to enhance her eyes and cheekbones.

By the late 2000s, the actor was back to dark hair and side-swept bangs, reminiscent of her look during her career beginnings. However, as tanned skin was all the rage at the time, Romano was often sporting a bronzed look, making it appear as if she had been in the sun all day long. The focal point of the actor's face was always her eyes, which Romano accentuated with the classic thick millennial eyeliner and some sparkly eyeshadow.

As Christy Carlson Romano approached her 30s, the actor explored the transformative power of makeup even more. Now, the "Kim Possible" star was showing off her confidence by occasionally rocking darker eye makeup and some color on her lips. Towards the mid to late 2010s, Romano also embraced slightly thicker and more filled-out eyebrows, which undeniably helped frame her eyes. Apart from the changes in her makeup, Romano embraced highlights again, opting for a well-blended look with shadow roots.

In 2013, Romano tied the knot with filmmaker Brendan Rooney, and by early 2019, the couple had two daughters. Marriage and motherhood brought new priorities for the star, but self-care remained prominent for Romano. In 2018, she opened up about her love for the Burke Williams spa in California. "In over a decade of getting facials there, I have never had a bad experience and love learning about my skin and what amazing products are available to keep my skin looking its best," she gushed (via Burke Williams). "I get a lot of compliments on looking similar to when I was a teenager on my Disney shows, so I guess I'm doing something right! I personally love their H2V exfoliator and the Eminence Eight Greens mask," she added.

By the early 2020s, Christy Carlson Romano's lips began changing, and many suspected the star had used filler to create a more voluminous pout. "I saw a reel with Christy Carlson Romano and didn't recognize her at first," a netizen wrote on Reddit, adding, "She was naturally pretty, but now her lips look like Play-Doh." While the star has been an open book on social media, Romano has yet to address whether she uses injectables. In the first half of the 2020s, the "Even Stevens" star began experimenting with even heavier makeup looks, often accentuating both her eyes and lips at the same time. During this era, fake eyelashes became a crucial part of her routine as well, helping create a dramatic look.

In early 2025, Romano revealed that she had sustained an injury at the birthday celebration for her husband, Brendan Rooney, during which they held a clay pigeon shooting. Luckily, she recovered from the accident, which left her with fragments in her eye and forehead. "It's been 3 weeks since I got shot in the face and my life has changed profoundly," she wrote on Instagram. "I am feeling more grateful than I've ever felt in my life and I'm healing really well. Every day, to me, is a gift."

On social media, Christy Carlson Romano often posts bare-faced snaps, showcasing just how naturally even and glowy her skin is. One thing the star has remained loyal to is her eyelash extensions, which often look a bit too harsh when we see her without any makeup. When she does wear makeup, Romano still loves a bold, daring look, often featuring intricate eyeshadow that enhances her eyes. Around the mid-2020s, Romano's eyebrows seemed to have become more lifted, which can be a sign that one is getting Botox injections. 

In early 2026, Romano opened up about her cancer scare after doing a cancer screening. "I'm glad I did the test. I'm glad I got checked," she wrote on Substack. "I'm glad I am meeting with an oncologist next week for more information. Early detection is the whole point of testing before your life gets derailed and your options are vastly different." The star is putting her health first, focusing on having a positive outlook and sharing her health journey on Instagram.

Romano's awareness of the importance of regular testing is crucial, so be sure to also check out the health screenings all women should know about and when to get them.