A round of applause to these celebrities who are changing the game when it comes to beauty standards in 2020.
When it comes to rules, people usually fall into one of two camps: those who follow them and those who break them. The beauty world certainly has many rules (“Eyes or lips, never both”), and while you could argue that rules are there for a reason, as far as makeup goes, it’s often the rule-breakers who are the most inspiring.
This is definitely the case in Hollywood, where a new guard of celebrities has been eschewing traditional makeup wisdom and defying convention to create a looks that are more exciting and artistic than ever before. And since game-changers deserve to be honoured, we’ve rounded up nine celebrities who are changing the face of beauty in the best way.
Scroll on to see them all.
Hunter Schafer
Euphoria star and transgender model Hunter Schafer is not only garnering praise for her incredible street style but for her unconventional approach to beauty. Seen sporting a number of raw, artistic make up looks that experiment with colour and lines, Schafer’s off-screen beauty moments are just as inspiring as the makeup looks on Euphoria.
Yara Shahidi
A rising icon in every way, Grown-ish actress Yara Shahidi has an incredible ethos when it comes to beauty: “Rather than redefine beauty, let’s undefine it. Take a moment to celebrate each other, it’s personal to be individual.”
Unafraid to experiment with her look, the Iranian-African-American actress often pares back standout hairstyles with simple makeup underscored by a pop of colour.
Lucy Boynton
One of the greatest beauty muses of 2019, Lucy Boynton’s red carpet makeup never disappoints. From bold lower lashes to neon lips with vibrant eyes, The Politician actress frequently eschews conventional makeup rules in favour of a ‘faux pas’ to great effect.
Zoë Kravitz
The High Fidelity and Batman actress’s penchant for extremely natural-looking makeup and experimental hair (who could forget her micro pixie cut?) makes her something of anomaly in the realm of red carpets. Frequently photographed with her freckles uncovered and statement locks, the face YSL Beauty tends always stands out in the best way possible.
Zendaya
One of the few celebrities who do their own makeup, Zendaya has proved time and time again that she can pull off any look, particularly where hairstyles are concerned. From long and natural to choppy and red, the Euphoria star can do it all.
Lizzo
When it comes to makeup, Lizzo isn’t one to play by the rules. The daring musician has fast gained a reputation for not just her hit songs, but her unapologetically bold beauty looks as well. Foregoing the traditional ‘less is more’ rule, the “Juice” singer’s makeup looks typically feature clashing colours, standout eyes and lips (another broken ‘rule’) and striking hair, all with her signature finesse.
Kristen Stewart
Longtime Chanel muse Kristen Stewart has been changing the beauty game for quite some time. Known for her smouldering, signature eye makeup looks, the Charlies Angels and Happiest Season actress rarely goes for a standard smokey, instead opting for unexpected colour and smudged liners with rocker hair.
Indya Moore
Pose star and transgender model Indya Moore has the uncanny ability to make vivid makeup look incredibly polished. From statement eyes with vibrant lips to a monochromatic matching of both, their looks often break the so-called ‘rules’, but always with aplomb.
Ezra Miller
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them star Ezra Miller is a modern beauty icon if we ever saw one (who could forget that trompe-l’œil Met Gala look?). A proponent of individuality over cookie-cutter makeup, Miller has an almost spiritual approach to beauty.
“I see beauty as a hidden truth within, under, and around things,” he told Allure in 2019. “For me, beauty is the reflection of the celestial through the physical. It’s the essence of the beyond as we get to perceive it in the mundane.”
Cody Fern
Cody Fern is an Aussie-born model and actor from American Horror Story, who’s helped redefine masculinity with his boyish features subverted by traditionally femme costuming.
Barbie Ferriera
Another Euphoria star Barbie Ferriera has been bringing back the classics with her mullet game, as well as revolutionising beauty standards to people beyond a size 8.
Trixie Mattel
Drag queen, country singer and beauty makeup guru Trixie Mattel is redefining the beauty standards of both drag queens and everyday folk alike, with big, bold painted on eyes and high volume hair that pays homage to Dolly Parton, the ’60s and ’70s. As Trixie would say, “go big and go bold or go the fuck home.”
Crystal Methyd (clown up)
Like Trixie Mattel, RuPaul’s Drag Race S12 runner up Crystal Methyd’s looks are iconically memorable: bold lips, clown inspired and with a whooole lot of glitter.
Kim Chi
Kim Chi is another RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, creating high concept makeup looks and with her own cosmetics line—Kim Chic Beauty.
Lisa from BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK’s Thai rapper Lisa is a major beauty guru within the Korean beauty space, the face of M·A·C Cosmetics, has a gorgeous smile and has convinced us all in 2020 to maybe invest in bangs again.
Yungblud
Like Cody Fern, Yungblud is pushing boundaries as a cisgender male with traditionally femme norms of beauty. The Yorkshire indie rockstar has become best known for his punk rock and grunge meets alt TikTok fashion style: a heavy cat eye, spiky gel hair with bold colour highlights on black, and in a dress or extravagantly camp outfit.
Lil Nas X
Gay rapper and all-time internet prankster Lil Nas X is no amateur when it comes to a stylistic hairstyle homage to a fave for a day or fantastical costumes and character makeup, donning camp couture and gender-fluid outfits and makeup in his music videos, like his Santa Clause look from his single, “Holiday.“
Orville Peck
Gay country singer Orville Peck was wearing masks before they were even a thing—and compulsory. Canada’s mysterious masked cowboy keeps his identity hidden and only performs as his musical alias, donning a cowboy hat and fringed mask anywhere he goes.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish may be an 18-year-old multi-Grammy award winning singer who’s been labelled the Gen Z poster child, but she’s also a celebrity that’s been changing beauty standards in 2020. From matching mask fits to her iconic green coloured roots, she’s revolutionised the alt beauty community and catapulted it into the mainstream.
Rina Sawayama
The SAWAYAMA electro pop meets R&B fave is a pro at redefining beauty trends and bringing back the classics, from ‘90s styles to gorgeous eyeshadow highlights.
