Celebrity Transformations Jane Fonda's Beauty Evolution From '50s Starlet to Hollywood Icon The octogenarian proves that age ain't nothing but a number. 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 @ 09:19AM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: David Livingston / Getty Images Award-winning actress, activist, and model, Jane Fonda, needs no introduction (okay, maybe for Gen Z). With a career spanning more than half a century, she has delighted us with infamous workout videos (which have made a comeback, by the way), inspired us with her speeches, and even managed to give us shoe envy with the most controversial of footwear choices. Now in her 80s, Fonda shows no signs of slowing down and continues to handle whatever comes her way with style and Grace (wink, wink). To celebrate the all-around icon, we take a look at her best beauty moments across her impressive career. Jane Fonda Knows She Isn't Chill Keep scrolling for Jane Fonda's beauty evolution from the '50s to today. 01 of 32 1955 John Swope//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images The fresh-faced Vassar student used her modeling wages to fund classes at the legendary Actors Studio. 02 of 32 1959 Everett Collection Bouncy waves and major makeup for the up-and-coming actress! Fonda described her first Warner Brothers studio makeover in her autobiography, My Life So Far: "I was horrified, dumbstruck. My lips had a new shape and my eyebrows were dark and enormous, like eagle's wings." The Most Popular Eyebrow Trends Throughout the Decades 03 of 32 1960 Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Fonda was stunning in her screen debut, Tall Story, but the behind-the-scenes feedback wasn't as encouraging: "[The studio rep] suggested that after filming I might consider having my jaw broken and reset and my back teeth pulled to create a more chiseled look." 04 of 32 1962 Rex USA She went brunette to play the seductive Kitty Twist in Walk on the Wild Side and earned a Golden Globe for the role. 05 of 32 1963 Everett Collection After filming Sunday in New York, Fonda was introduced to director (and future husband) Roger Vadim in Paris, leading to a Bardot-inspired new look. 06 of 32 1963 Everett Collection Wigging out! Fonda sported a black flip for In the Cool of the Day. Look No Further — These Are the 20 Best Wigs on Amazon, According to Customer Reviews 07 of 32 1966 Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Living in France as a strawberry blonde, Fonda exuded '60s mod vibes. Celebrity Hairstylists Share the 9 Prettiest Highlight Ideas For Redheads 08 of 32 1967 Everett Collection The Barefoot in the Park star wore her glossy mane pulled into a low ponytail and prepped to play the ultra-sexy titular character in Barbarella. 09 of 32 1971 Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images An iconic new look (and soon an Oscar)! "I had my first real hair epiphany," Fonda wrote. "The men in my life liked it long and blond, and I had been a blonde for so long that I didn't even know what my own color actually was. I simply said to [ hairstylist] Paul McGregor, 'Do something,' and he did. It was the haircut that became famous in Klute, the shag, and he dyed my hair darker, like what it really was. I knew right away that I could do life differently with this hair." 10 of 32 1976 Phil Roach/Globe Photos The activist and mother of two (now married to politician Tom Hayden) made The Blue Bird and wore her brunette strands in long, glossy waves complete with Birkin bangs. 11 of 32 1979 Everett Collection Fonda sent off the '70s with voluminous loose waves and sultry eyes for the China Syndrome and a second Oscar for her role in Coming Home. 12 of 32 1982 Getty Images A busy beauty: In the early '80s Fonda produced 9 to 5, On Golden Pond and her trailblazing Workout video. Tom Hayden "Hated" Jane Fonda's Workout Videos 13 of 32 1984 Everett Collection After winning an Emmy playing a weather-beaten Appalachian folk artist in The Dollmaker, she rocked big hair and pure '80s glam for a publicity shot. 14 of 32 1990 Eugene Adebari/Rex USA Divorced from her second husband and dating media mogul Ted Turner, Fonda worked a voluminous blowout at the Academy Awards. 15 of 32 1993 Lisa Rose/Globe Photos The veteran actress wore a luxuriant waist-length faux braid and wispy bangs to celebrate the Fonda family's induction into the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. 16 of 32 1993 Jim Smeal/WireImage Cowboy hat? Absolutely. Both Fonda and husband Ted Turner won Golden Boots Awards for their work in westerns. Cowboy Boots Are TikTok's Latest Viral Trend — Here's Where to Get Them 17 of 32 1994 Jim Smeal/WireImage The narrator of A Century of Women attended the New York City premiere with her layered locks worn loose. 18 of 32 2001 Andrea Renault/Globe Photos The actress/activist sported a new pixie cut courtesy of super stylist Sally Hershberger when she was honored with a Lincoln Center Gala Tribute. 19 of 32 2005 Gregg DeGuire/WireImage After a 16-year break from the big screen, a radiant Fonda returned to the red carpet for the premiere of Monster-In-Law. This feathered, piecey pixie with dimensional blonde color is simply flattering. Jane Fonda Uses This Hollywood Secret for Younger-Looking Skin 20 of 32 2010 Matt Baron/BEImages Auburn locks and a few extra tweaks. "I thought it would be good to have something minimal done," Fonda told People of her very public plastic surgeries. "I wanted to look less tired." 21 of 32 2011 George Pimentel/FilmMagic Back to blonde, the A-lister was looking better than ever at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. 22 of 32 2012 Emiley Schweich/Everett Collection At a Golden Globes after-party, Fonda opted for shimmery eye makeup, pink gloss, and a swipe of blush to achieve a balanced beauty look. The 6 Essential Eye Makeup Tips for Women Over 40 23 of 32 2013 Jason Merritt/Getty Image Her layered cut provided body and movement at the 2013 Oscars. Apply a volumizing spray, such as Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder, to keep this style lifted. 24 of 32 2014 Steve Granitz/WireImage Shimmery shadow and glossy lips finished Fonda's look at the This Is Where I Leave You premiere in L.A. Meanwhile, feathered layers highlighted her face and added a note of '70s flavor. 25 of 32 2015 Amanda Edwards/WireImage Fonda was dressed to the nines while attending the 46th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards in Los Angeles where she was an honoree. Pearlescent eyeshadow and lengthy lashes brought the focus of her look to her blue eyes. The 12 Best Eyeshadow Colors to Try If You Have Blue Eyes 26 of 32 2016 Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic The Grace and Frankie star went all-out glam, favoring sparkles and shine in this beauty look replete with silvery shadow and a glossy peach lip. Her blonde bob, styled in volumized curls, frames her face to a T. 27 of 32 2017 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images The celebrated actress arrived at the premiere of Our Souls at Night with her blonde locks swept back, a pale pink lip, and bold liner, demonstrating the power that lies in simplicity. 28 of 32 2018 Michael Tran / FilmMagic Attending the 1st Annual Environmental Media Association Honors Benefit Gala, Fonda stepped out in frosted makeup and a voluminous bob. Your Definitive Guide to Every Type of Bob Haircut 29 of 32 2019 Dan MacMedan / Getty Images The silver siren channeled Old Hollywood with retro curls and a crimson red lip at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, leaving us breathless. 30 of 32 2020 Amanda Edwards / Getty Images 2020 marked a momentous year for Fonda who decided to surprise us all (and we mean that in the best way possible) by embracing her grays. The result was not only refreshing but also absolutely stunning. So, You're Ready to Transition to Full-On Gray Hair 31 of 32 2021 Emma McIntyre / Getty Images At the Women in Film's Annual Award Ceremony, feathered layers added movement and dimension to Fonda's cut and color. Her matte peach lipstick lent a natural flush. 32 of 32 2022 Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images The timeless beauty embodies simple yet sophisticated style. A gorgeous gray pixie, minimal makeup, and LBD make her red-carpet royalty.