The Most Iconic Beauty Looks From TV & Movie Characters Of All Time

Television and film characters have served as fashion and beauty inspiration for decades, demonstrating just how powerful the art of styling can be. We already discussed the most iconic rom-com outfits to recreate your main character moment, and the most stylish TV characters that should be your fall outfit inspo. Of course, on-screen characters have given us plenty of fun beauty moments, whether through daring makeup looks or consistent hairstyles,

As we discuss some of the most memorable and eye-catching beauty moments from the big and the small screen, it is interesting to see how different their impacts have been. Some have changed the trends of entire beauty industries, shaping looks that defined entire decades. Others have remained cult beauty moments even though they never transformed into wearable looks, instead living on thanks to the sheer creativity that helped them become so unique — and becoming annual Halloween costumes that replicate them even years after they joined pop culture. All of these beauty moments have continued their influence long after the film or series aired.

The '90s sitcom "Friends" left us with so much more than just good laughs. The show's ladies always looked stunning, but one character who left a particular mark on the hair industry is Jennifer Aniston's. In fact, the Rachel is the most iconic haircut of all time, as the face-framing layers defined hair trends of the decades to come. Funnily enough, the actor revealed that she struggled to style it. "'The Rachel' was one of the hardest hairstyles to maintain. Me and the blow dryer and the hairbrush weren't meant for each other," Aniston told ABC News in 2014.

The teen drama Euphoria single-handedly defined the makeup trends of the early 2020s. Many characters rocked unique makeup looks, but Alexa Demie's Maddy Perez often stole the show, especially thanks to her sharp eyeliner. "Euphoria's" makeup artist also has one simple tip for embracing the show's wild beauty aesthetic, as Doniella Davy revealed how she creates these sharp looks. "My preferred method for winged eyeliner is a flat, angled eyeliner brush, a pot of cream eyeliner, and a lot of practice and patience," she told Into The Gloss in 2019. "I also love to use Scotch tape to help me achieve a straight and crisp line."

Uma Thurman's hair in the 1994 classic "Pulp Fiction" has gained cult status just like the film, becoming an instantly recognizable look. The sharp edges and slightly shorter bangs create an edgy and dramatic appearance that has become timeless over the years. Speaking to Dazed in 2024, hairstylist Roxy Estella explained that creating such an iconic Mia Wallace look couldn't have been easy for the film's hair designer Iain Jones. "It takes skill to get the hair to look that sharp and balanced from all angles on film," Estella explained, adding, "The fringe has to sit just right."

The 1975 hit "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" undeniably influenced makeup and beauty worldwide, as Tim Curry's portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter pushed the boundaries of filmed media. The character's bold makeup was created by makeup artist Pierre La Roche, who focused on creating a look that was dramatic enough for the stage. The impact of the look continued well after the project premiered, and MAC Cosmetics even released a Rocky Horror Picture Show collection in 2014.

As May Day in the 1985 James Bond film "A View to a Kill," Grace Jones showcased just how stunning maroon and purple makeup looks on darker skin. The actor rocked striking looks featuring a subtle smoky eye blended into vibrant eyeshadow, proving that bright eyeshadow can pop on darker skin tones. The character's look was often finished off with a matching deep berry blush that added a gorgeous contrast.

The teen drama "Gossip Girl" gave us numerous fashion and beauty trends in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but one that instantly comes to mind when thinking of this popular show is Blair Waldorf's headbands. The character, portrayed by Leighton Meester, loved a preppy look, and often, that included the hair accessory. "I've always considered her headband her crown," Meester told Glamour in 2009, sharing that the character ditched the signature look as she entered college. While the look is so chic, it can be a tad uncomfortable. However, a simple hack will make your headband so much more comfortable.

When it comes to vampy beauty and fashion trends, many look up to Morticia Addams. In the 1991 film "The Addams Family," Anjelica Huston portrayed her, and her striking beauty captured the character perfectly. While Morticia's hair and makeup were stunning, it is her almond-shaped red nails that remained a timeless look. The look was achieved by using press-on nails for a consistent look. Red nails are the ultimate power look, and Morticia's deep red acrylics serve as great inspiration. 

In 2006, Beyoncé starred as Deena Jones in the musical "Dreamgirls," and her makeup in the film is the epitome of '60s and '70s sparkle. Fun graphic looks and lots of glitter made the star's on-stage presence even more mesmerizing, and two decades later, her makeup looks remain some of the best we've seen on screen. "One of my favorite makeup moments is the disco scene when Beyoncé sings 'One Night Only,'" makeup artist Francesca Tolot shared with Glamour in 2006. "I used makeup glitter on her eyes in the colors of the dress: lime green, dark green, turquoise."

While the most iconic "Sex and the City" looks have given us plenty of inspiration, when it comes to beauty, it is Carrie Bradshaw's hair that stole the show. Portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, the character was all about flaunting her natural curls, creating voluminous and easygoing styles. "It was never really brushed and looking slick," hairstylist Mandy Lyons shared with Vogue in 2023. "It always has a messy look to it; there's always flyaways. She gets out of bed, and she shakes her hair out — she doesn't brush her hair."

Perhaps not a wearable look, but Natalie Portman's makeup in the 2010 film "Black Swan" is undeniably iconic. As Nina Sayers, Portman goes through quite a transformation, and her ballet makeup reflects that. Her black swan look is all about dramatic dark eyes, creating a stark contrast with her makeup in the rest of the film. The film's makeup artist, Judy Chin, revealed that the look was meant to help visualize the changes and give "you the feeling of the dark version of the white swan, beautiful and sexy but dark and dangerous at the same time" (via Beautylish). We can confirm it worked, and that's exactly why it became such a legendary look.