Side-By-Side Pics Show How Stunning Kamala Harris' Face Transformation Has Been
Although it may seem like Kamala Harris has always been an icon, the former vice president has undergone a stunning transformation over her decades-long career as an attorney, politician, and change-maker. Long she became a second lady known for her pantsuits and polished medium-length hair, she was a curly-haired political science and economics student at Howard University, pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha and working as campus tour guide. A lot has changed since those days, and it seems Harris couldn't be more aware.
To celebrate her alma mater's 101st homecoming in October 2025, Harris shared throwback photos of herself from her student days on Instagram. She attended the historic school from 1982 to 1986, so it shouldn't be surprising that snapshots of her from the era reflect the times. She sported a stylish, curly pixie cut and skinny eyebrows synonymous with the '80s and '90s. She complemented that look with bright, berry-toned lipstick that stood out thanks to her toothy grin.
Harris' followers were amazed at how much she has changed — and how much she has stayed the same — over almost 40 years. Looking at side-by-side photos, it's clear she has continued to embrace the skinny brow trend, and her complexion still seems quite vibrant, even with some visible signs of aging. However, the former vice president now opts for sheer, neutral lip colors that match her light blush. She also now wears her hair relaxed or straightened, giving her face a totally different appearance. Despite these changes, unlike other people in the public eye, it seems Harris has chosen to embrace aging rather than get procedures designed to keep her frozen in time. She might have aged since her Howard days, but thanks to her fool-proof makeup routine, she looks better than ever.
Kamala Harris' modern makeup routine is defined by simple elegance
While Kamala Harris looks equally stunning without makeup, the former California senator usually chooses a glowy yet natural base when out on the campaign trail or attending an awards ceremony. In 2021, iconic celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine — who has worked with Harris in addition to Michelle Obama, Tyra Banks, and Beyoncé — gave insight into the politician's makeup preferences to HelloGiggles in 2021. "As a political figure, you can't let makeup take the main stage when you have a crucial message to deliver, so it's all about elegance and beauty basics," Fine said. Though Kamala Harris looks gorgeous when abandoning her pantsuits, when she does sport her signature jewel-toned businesswear, she can often be seen rocking a soft-pink, nude, or mauve lip to complement it. "Both Michelle and Kamala go for voluminous lashes, feathered brows, radiant complexions, and neutral sheer lip shades," Fine revealed.
Fine gave a few of his coveted makeup tips to Huda Beauty in 2018, where he explained some of the method behind his flawless celebrity transformations. After applying foundation, Fine uses a one-ply tissue to blot away excess oil and achieve a more "skin-like" finish, which is obvious in photos of Kamala Harris. In the case of nude-toned lipsticks, like the ones Harris often goes for, Fine advised to use a slightly darker lipliner first. "Nude lipsticks can often go unnoticed on brown skin, so apply a brown lipliner one shade deeper than your skin tone BEFORE applying lipstick, to add dimension and weight," the makeup artist explained.