Beauty Icon Vanessa Williams’s Best Looks, from the ’80s to Today
Vanessa Williams came into the spotlight as the first African-American Miss America. But over the years, the singer and actress has proved her talents extend far beyond the beauty pageant stage. From TV and film and Broadway, the Grammy-nominated star has always shined on the red carpet. Known for her natural beauty and piercing blue eyes, the Ugly Betty star has perfected her signature look over the years: luminous, glowing skin, a swipe mascara of the eye, and a nude glossy lip. As the we honor the American beauty’s 54th birthday, here’s a look back at her most memorable red carpet moments throughout the years, and ever-changing hairstyles.
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Making history in 1983 as the first African-American Miss America, Vanessa Williams wore her hair in voluminous curls with a coral red lip and violet smoky eye at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
21984
In 1984, Williams wore her shoulder-length hair in natural, voluminous waves. Her makeup was simple, letting her glowing skin shine through.
31985
Williams looked chic, and very ’80s, at the opening night of The Tap Dance Kid in 1985 with her hair in a curled up do.
41988
Wearing bold, voluminous curls with a satin red lip that matched her jacket, Williams embodied the ’80s at the Hollywood premiere of Coming To America in 1988.
51989
At the 31st Annual Grammy Awards in 1989, Williams wore her hair in a tight bun with blunt, rounded bangs. She wore a mauve lipcolor and rosy blush.
61991
Attending the 2nd Annual Billboard Music Awards in 1991, Williams wore her long hair in soft waves, pulled back from her face and a burgundy red color on her lips.
71991
The American beauty showed off her natural beauty at the Another You Los Angeles film premiere in 1991 with fresh, luminous skin, pulled back hair, and a natural lip color.
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Wearing her hair in almost feathered, tousled waves with a sun-kissed skin and a glossy mauve lip, Williams looked relaxed and pretty at the 2000 My VH1 Music Awards.
92004
Dewy skin, a tousled half up do and a light blue smoky eye was the look Williams wore to the Johnson Family Vacation Los Angeles film premiere in 2004.
102005
Wearing her highlighted locks in tight, bouncy curls with cream blush on the cheeks, Williams attends the UPN 2005/2006 UpFront event in New York.
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Radiating at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2008, Williams wore her brown hair pulled back from her face in a simple, slicked back bun with luminous skin and a glossy pink lip.
122009
At the Los Angeles premiere of Hannah Montana The Movie in 2009, Vanessa Williams wore her hair in a half up do with a glossy nude lip.
132010
Williams opted for an edgier look at the 30th annual New York Women in Film & Television Muse Awards in 2010, wearing her hair in a sleek, yet tousled half up do with a dramatic smoky eye.
142011
Williams wore her soft curls swept over with a playful fuchsia pink lip at the ABC Television Desperate Housewives Final Season Kick-Off Party in 2011.
152012
At the 2012 TCA summer press tour party in Beverly Hills, Williams matched her bold red lip to her dress paired with soft, polished waves.
162013
Williams wore her ombre locks in sleek, loose waves with a hint of rose blush on cheeks at the 23rd Annual NAACP Theatre Awards in 2013.
172015
At the 15th Annual USTA opening night gala in 2015, Williams wore her hair in a curled top knot with dewy skin.
182016
Wearing a dramatic smoky eye with her dark brunette locks styled in a high pony, Williams attended the 2016 VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night.
192016
Glowing at the L’Oreal Paris & Good Housekeeping 50 Over 50 event in 2016, Williams wore her shoulder length locks in soft curls with a nude pink lip.
202017
Back to a dark brunette, Williams wore full lashes and a nude lip at the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s 33rd annual Black & White Ball in Las Vegas in 2017.
