Celebrity Transformations Halle Berry's Beauty Evolution From Pageant Queen to Oscar Winner The former Bond girl has been known to turn a few heads. By Krista Carter Krista Carter Krista Carter is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience working in beauty and fashion. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on January 9, 2023 @ 09:25AM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Halle Berry may have gotten her start competing in beauty pageants, but she had bigger ambitions in sight. In 2002, Berry became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress. Since then, she has gone on to land a number of accolades, among them, a Golden Globe and an Emmy. But when she's not busy working, this former Bond girl — who's still super fit and taking sexy selfies at 56, by the way — is having fun with her ever-evolving style, whether that's purple curls and a plunging top for date night or costume bin dressing beachside. The Ever-Evolving Halle Berry Keep scrolling for Halle Berry's beauty evolution from the 1980s to now. 01 of 26 1985 Yearbook Archives After graduating from Bedford High School in Ohio, Berry won the Miss Teen All-American pageant. We're guessing that her natural beauty and contagious smile had something to do with it. 02 of 26 1986 John Eggitt/Landov "In the '80s it was all about big hair, lots of makeup, and trying to look older than you really were," Berry once told us. After winning the Miss Ohio USA title, the well made-up pageant queen placed second in Miss USA and sixth in the Miss World competition. 03 of 26 1993 Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage Debuting what would become her signature crop, Berry promoted her role in the Queen miniseries. 25 Pixie Cuts for Any Face Shape 04 of 26 1996 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic The Race the Sun actress briefly returned to shoulder-skimming strands. Curtain bangs and flipped-out ends add some '90s pizzazz. We Should Have Seen This '90s Hair Trend Coming 05 of 26 1997 Ron Galella/WireImage "I have very curly hair — this is its natural texture," Berry said of this look. For those with a coily hair type, incorporating strategic layers is key in lending structure to your style. Complement with frosted makeup to nail Berry's ice-queen beauty. 06 of 26 1998 S Granitz/WireImage With tight cornrows drawing focus to her flawless face, the Bulworth star played up her baby browns with false lashes and soft eyeliner. 8 Cornrow Styles for Anyone With Natural Hair 07 of 26 1999 Armando Gallo/Renta Berry rounded out the '90s by going short, sweet, and blonde. "I just see myself as a short-hair, spunky kind of person," said the Introducing Dorothy Dandridge lead. 08 of 26 2002 Mike Nelson/Getty Images The actress earned an Oscar for her risky role in Monster's Ball. Less risky? A lightly tousled version of her favorite pixie. 09 of 26 2002 SGranitz/WireImage Growing out her short cut ("There's only so much you can do with a pixie!"), the Die Another Day Bond Girl worked in a fluffed and feathered style. 10 of 26 2004 Kurt Vinion/Getty Images Berry attended a Catwoman premiere with newly-lengthened locks. "These extensions were great," she told InStyle. "I would just wash and go." Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Curly Hair Extensions 11 of 26 2006 Access E/WireImage For the Tokyo premiere of X-Men: The Last Stand, Berry kept it simple with neutral makeup and a straight chin-length bob. By slightly tucking in ends, you can add instant oomph (read: volume) to thin or fine tresses. 12 of 26 2007 Jim Spellman/WireImage Berry framed her flawless features with long glossy waves and a fringe that hits just at the eyes — and highlights them. To get her mane's high-octane shine, apply a little hair oil. 13 of 26 2007 Lester Cohen/WireImage Awaiting daughter Nahla Aubrey, Berry discovered the benefits of pregnancy: "My skin is aglow from all the hormones. I actually wear less makeup now." This $42 Cult-Favorite Product Is the Secret to Mandy Moore's Glowy Skin 14 of 26 2009 Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic The actress met motherhood with a chic new look: a honey-highlighted layered bob. Its warm-toned color goes perfectly with her skin's warm undertones. 15 of 26 2011 Jemal Countess/Getty Images How many ways can Berry wear a pixie? This longer-on-top version with its tousled texture feels at once edgy and chic. 16 of 26 2012 Amanda Schwab/Startraksphoto The Revlon spokeswoman changed up her hair for a role in The Hive. "I look at hair as an accessory, just like a handbag or a pair of shoes," she told People. "It's something you can put on, play with for awhile and then take it off and try something different." 17 of 26 2012 Thomas Janssen/PacificCoastNews Berry went with a sexy smoky eye for the L.A. premiere of Cloud Atlas. "To keep the feeling strong on Halle's modern, yet romantic, Dolce & Gabbana lace dress, I created an eye look with blended charcoals and shimmery silvers to complement the silver colors in the dress," said her makeup artist Kara Yoshimoto Bua. "Her lips and cheeks were kept subtle in soft peaches." 18 of 26 2013 Jason Merritt/Getty Images Berry's gravity-defying 'do was a fun complement to her colorful Atelier Versace gown at the Golden Globes. Its subtle highlights add a nice color contrast, plus dimension. A smokey gray eye and nude lip finished off he red carpet look. 19 of 26 2014 Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Piecey bangs gave her trademark pixie an edgy twist at an Oscars after-party. Meanwhile, her glossy pink pout adds a tinge of softness. These Low-Maintenance Bangs Will Convince You to Get Your Own This Summer 20 of 26 2015 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Berry opted for a sun-kissed lob made up of beachy waves to attend the 2015 ESPYs. To score her tousled texture, we recommend investing in a curl-enhancing product, like Briogeo Superfoods™ Banana + Coconut Hydrating Soft Wave Texture Spray. 21 of 26 2016 Larry Busacca/Getty Images The actress's shoulder-length hair was styled in loose curls at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards. Her go-to smoky eye and nude gloss finished off the sultry look. 22 of 26 2017 Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Berry pulled back her highlighted locks into a loose updo with curtain bangs framing her face. She completed the look with a glossy lip and bronze eyeshadow. 23 of 26 2018 Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic Berry showed up to the much-anticipated Vanity Fair Oscar Party looking like a 10 out of 10. By keeping her makeup to a minimum, she lets her long, stick-straight strands do the talking. 10 Hairstyles for Pin-Straight Hair That Are So Easy to Do 24 of 26 2019 Rodin Eckenroth / FilmMagic Berry is effortlessly cool with her "no makeup" makeup and tousled waves. Looking for a low-maintenance way to style long hair? Simply tie it back into a loose updo or tuck it into your collar for an instant faux bob. 25 of 26 2021 Alberto E. Rodriguez / FilmMagic Berry gives the '60s bouffant a modern-day makeover and we're taking notes. From its soft waves to its perfect shade of bronde, this style is utterly romantic. 26 of 26 2022 Steve Granitz / Getty Images Berry served up Storm vibes at the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards. Her two-toned asymmetrical undercut is equal parts edgy and mod. The 8 Top Haircuts For Fall 2022, According to Experts