Transformation

Winning an Academy Award in 1993 for My Cousin Vinny brought Marisa Tomei glory, and also brought out her "alter" ego. "In the beginning Marisa played it safe," her hairstylist Mike Karg has said. "Her Oscar gave her the confidence to experiment." And experiment she does, especially with her hair hue, going from chestnut to platinum blond and back. Said stylist Mark Garrison, "Marisa likes the versatility of long hair and coloring. It is a great way to radically change your look without a cut." So is coloring your lips. "She can be quite transformed using different lipsticks," makeup artist Joanne Gair told us. "She loves coral, but red works just as well on her. Marisa's not intimidated to try. That makes her sexy and fun."

No awkward stage here—Tomei looked timelessly chic while a student at Edward R. Murrow High School.