You know that makeup you see and you already know exactly who it belongs to?
What became a signature, an inspiration, and even a meme? Well… in the celebrity world, some makeup looks have become true milestones in beauty history.
Whether on stage, on the red carpet, or on social media, certain stars have managed to transform eyeliner or lipstick into a cultural symbol.
And as a true lover of makeup and pop culture, I couldn't help but make this list of the 10 celebrities who, in my opinion (and that of millions of others), have the most iconic makeup looks of all time.
Shall we begin?
1. Marilyn Monroe – The classic red lipstick and seductive look
It's impossible to start with anything else. Marilyn Monroe created a look that still inspires entire makeup tutorials and collections to this day.
That vibrant red lipstick, combined with long eyelashes, very subtle eyeliner, and a touch of light eyeshadow on the inner corner… pure 1950s Hollywood glamour.
Fun fact: Marilyn Monroe's makeup artists used up to five shades of lipstick to create that plump effect on her lips.
Nothing was a coincidence.
2. Amy Winehouse – The most memorable cat-eye makeup look ever
Amy took cat eye liner to the next level.
That thick, well-drawn line with a retro touch became his hallmark.
The most incredible thing is that, despite being something simple, he managed to turn it into an icon.
Nowadays, if you do a more dramatic eyeliner, someone will say, "Wow! You look a little Amy today, huh?"
Her look was a mix of rebellion, nostalgia, and a whole lot of style. Amy was unique, and so was her makeup.
3. David Bowie – Lightning Strike in Aladdin Sane
David Bowie wasn't just an artist, he was a work of art.
And makeup has always been an essential part of her visual identity.
The pinnacle of this? The Aladdin Sane album cover, with that red and blue lightning bolt crossing his face.
It wasn't just about bold makeup: it was a statement of creativity, of breaking new ground, and of freedom of expression.
To this day, it is one of the most replicated images in the world of fashion and music.
4. Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) – Immortal Egyptian Eyes
Well, we're talking about Elizabeth Taylor's performance in "Cleopatra," but the truth is that that dramatic look, with the super-heavy Egyptian eyeliner, became synonymous with the Queen of Egypt herself.
The look was full of exaggeration (thick eyeliner, blue shadow, sculpted brows) and yet had a mystical elegance.
Cleopatra (via Liz Taylor) practically invented the modern cat's eye.
5. Cher – Brilliant and Glamorous Metamorphoses
Cher was never afraid to be daring, and her makeup always reflected that.
The 70s, 80s, 90s… at every stage she rocked bold, bright, super-defined, and often ahead-of-its-time makeup.
With bold contours, dramatic false lashes, and an enviable glow, Cher is practically a beauty chameleon.
And yet, she always looks… Cher.
Unmistakable.
6. Lady Gaga – The Makeup Art of Impacting with Style
Lady Gaga is one of those who treats her face like a canvas.
Her makeup looks range from classic to artistic interventions.
Who remembers the red star over her eye in Stupid Love? Or the futuristic, dramatic makeup from the Bad Romance music video?
But perhaps the most striking thing is the look with the Bowie-style lightning bolt from the beginning of his career, a direct tribute to his idol.
Gaga doesn't just wear makeup, she communicates with it.
7. Madonna – Reinventions and Bold Lips
Madonna is a master of reinvention, and that includes her makeup.
From the '80s "Material Girl" style (smoky eyes, defined brows, dark lipstick) to the cleaner, brighter "Ray of Light" era, she's always set a trend.
The red lipstick with matte skin of the 90s became a phenomenon.
And the glamorous retro style she adopted in various videos and award shows has become a reference to this day.
8. Rihanna – Glowing Skin and Powerful Eyes
Rihanna transformed the market with Fenty Beauty, and her own makeup is the best marketing strategy possible.
Flawless skin, perfect glow, natural eyebrows and sensual smoky eyes.
She has an exceptional ability to look striking and natural at the same time.
And let's face it: From the Met Gala to Fenty campaigns, every Rihanna makeup look is a lesson in style.
9. Twiggy – Eyelashes with a graphic effect and a doll look
Twiggy was a phenomenon in the 60s, and her makeup was essential to creating her iconic look.
The doll-like look with drawn-on eyelashes, light eyeshadow, and well-defined eyeliner became a symbol of the mod era.
The combination of her bangs with her angelic face and theatrical eyes made Twiggy a fashion and beauty muse.
Today, this style continues to be reinterpreted by makeup artists in editorials and runways.
10. Kim Kardashian – Contouring and shine as a lifestyle
Love it or hate it, it's impossible to ignore the impact Kim Kardashian had (and continues to have) on contemporary makeup.
The famous "contouring" style and "lighting" gained strength thanks to her and her makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic.
Velvety skin, long lashes, subtle eyeliner, arched brows, and nude lips: this combination became practically a staple on Instagram during the 2010s.
And the truth is that many people still follow this aesthetic today.
BONUS: Drag Queens Like RuPaul – Beauty as Makeup Performance
It would be unfair not to mention drag queens, especially RuPaul, who elevated makeup to a form of performance.
The transformations are stunning, with advanced contouring techniques, bold creases, lip liner, and everything else you can imagine.
Drag has had a HUGE influence on mainstream makeup, including the celebrity looks we've featured here.
The era of exaggerated lashes, ultra-pigmented highlighter, and sculpted brows has a lot of drag inspiration.
Final thoughts
Makeup has always been more than just aesthetics: It's expression, identity, and, in many cases, a form of resistance.
The celebrities on this list didn't just wear makeup; they left their mark on generations with their looks.
Whether it was Marilyn Monroe's red lipstick, Amy's rebellious eyeliner, or Kardashian-style contouring, these women (and men!) helped shape the history of beauty in the entertainment world.
And you, do you have any iconic makeup looks that you've never forgotten?