Celebrity Transformations Courteney Cox's 40-Year Beauty Evolution The actress is a beauty and style icon — both on-screen and off. 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 @ 09:06AM Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images Whether she's twinning with Jennifer Aniston or sitting courtside with Kim Kardashian, Courteney Cox emits effortless beauty. Over her 40-year career, the actress has experimented with different looks but has always maintained her glamorous yet understated style. After all, who could forget the outfit inspo she served up as "Mother Hen" Monica Gellar? Heck, even Selena Gomez takes note. In fact, the brown-haired, blue-eyed beauty continues to reinvent herself both on-screen and off. Courteney Cox Comes Home Keep scrolling for Courteney Cox's beauty evolution over the years. 01 of 25 1982 Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library While some of us may be cringe at the sight of our high school yearbook photo (raises hand), Cox has nothing to be ashamed of. Graduating from Mountain Brook High School in Alabama in '82, the fresh-faced and bright-eyed beauty wears a half-up, half-down 'do that's both timeless and statement-making. 02 of 25 1984 Walter McBride/Retna Cox was pulled into the public eye, shaking her short feathered crop alongside Bruce Springsteen in his "Dancing in the Dark" video. Want to get the look? Ask your stylist for a lot of layers — as long as your hair is medium to thick in density, that is. What To Know Before Getting a Feathered Haircut 03 of 25 1987 Joe McNally/Getty Images The long-time model (and her appropriately big '80s mane) landed superhero show Misfits of Science. This look is all about the volume; fortunately, it can be achieved even if you've got fine, limp locks. If You Have Flat Hair, Read This To Get Some Extra Volume 04 of 25 1992 Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage Cox's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective-era style is indicative of the times. Brown lipstick (and liner), cool-girl hair flip, and those on-point arches remind us of why we will forever love the '90s. 05 of 25 1994 Michael Ferguson/Globe After landing her iconic role as Monica Gellar on Friends, Cox can be seen with neat waves à la bob and dark lipstick. Consider it a '90s take on '40s style. 06 of 25 1995 Jim Smeal/Galella "Courteney is the type who'll grow out her bangs and say, 'Don't let me cut my bangs again,'" hairstylist Chris McMillan has said of her on-again, off-again fringe. "But then two years later she'll be like, 'I want bangs. I have to have them!'" If you're debating bangs but are the low-maintenance type, opt for Cox's side-swept version which will keep styling time to a minimum. Courteney Cox Knows What You Think About Her Tiny 'Scream' Bangs 07 of 25 1997 Steve Granitz/WireImage Cox went wild at the MTV Movie Awards with crayon-bright highlights. "That was [to play] Gale Weathers, my character from Scream," she told InStyle. "Those magenta streaks are pretty tacky. For some reason I thought that was a good choice for that particular character." To modernize this look, we suggest going for face-framing caramel highlights instead. 08 of 25 2000 Steve Granitz/WireImage The Scream 3 lead rocked a sleek updo and showed off silver lids. "I am not a big fan of sparkly eye shadow," she admitted about this look. But honestly, she could've had us fooled. She pulls off her metallic lids with ease. The 11 Best Glitter Eyeshadows 09 of 25 2003 Lisa Rose/JPI Talk about a glow-up. Cox looks fresh and hydrated with her dewy skin and lustrous wavy locks. 10 of 25 2005 Evan Agostini/Getty Images The new mom (to Coco Riley Arquette) played up her auburn mane with pink monochromatic makeup and we can't get enough. With her long, glossy mane she proves that "mom hair" can still be glamorous. To get her movement and body, ask your stylist for long layers. 11 of 25 2007 David Fisher/Rex For the Golden Globes, the Dirt star went clean with taupe lips, shimmery bronze shadow, and stick-straight locks. The neutral earth toned-makeup really makes her blue eyes pop. 12 of 25 2008 James Devaney/WireImage Flushed cheeks and pink lips create natural warmth in a fair complexion like Cox's. Meanwhile, a subtle smoky eye and lots of lashes (lengthening mascara, anyone?) bring the focus to her famous blue eyes. A pared-down hairstyle is the perfect accompaniment to this simple yet stunning beauty moment. 13 of 25 2010 Jason Merritt/Getty Images Here, Cox proves that a messy updo is incredibly versatile. "Great hairdo," the first-time Golden Globes nom said of her big-night style. "I think it's sexy. It looks like it started out very prim and then things got a little dirty." Her smoky eye plays into the sultry vibes. 14 of 25 2010 Tom Betterton Cox appeared on the August cover of InStyle with windswept long layers and "no makeup" makeup. Choppy edges add some interest to this otherwise simple and straight style. 15 of 25 2011 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic A pulled-back updo keeps Cox's sculpted brows and liquid liner front and center. But don't think we didn't take notice of that shiny pink pout either. (By the way, has anyone seen where we put our lip gloss?). 16 of 25 2012 Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Cox celebrated Cougar Town's switch from ABC to TBS wearing loose, sultry waves. This style not only creates movement and body — which is great for thin or thinning hair — but it also lends a certain softness that complements her jet-black tresses. 12 Haircuts That Make Thin Hair Look So Much Thicker 17 of 25 2013 Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Cox looks relaxed and natural with minimal makeup and laid-back, loose curls. To pull off her neutral makeup, you'll want to reach for a nude palette. Then, grab a 1.25-inch curling iron and curl away from your face to land her undone waves. 18 of 25 2014 Angela Weiss/Getty Images Cox accessorized with tousled waves and thick-rimmed glasses at the Tribeca Film Festival. Whether she uses her glasses because she actually needs them, merely for fashion's sake, or perhaps both, we're here for it. 19 of 25 2015 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Cox showed off her freshly cropped lob at the Just Before I Go premiere in Hollywood, California. She delivered equal parts sophistication and ease with a soft wave and side-swept part, along with petal pink makeup. 20 of 25 2016 Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Cox wore a tousled lob for the An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows TV special. To get her texture, invest in a sea salt spray or texturing spray — trust us, you won't be disappointed. 21 of 25 2017 Todd Williamson/Getty We're in awe of Cox's flawless complexion. After taking care of her skin, she knows that applying the right base (read: foundation and concealer) for her fair skin tone is key to building any beauty look. Here, that would be a pink-tinted lip and bold shimmery eye makeup. 22 of 25 2018 Rich Fury/Getty Images For a Chanel NRDC benefit dinner, Cox styled her medium-length tresses in loose waves and wore shimmery copper eyeshadow. Applying color on both her top and lower lash line serves to showcase her blue eyes. 23 of 25 2019 Steve Granitz / WireImage Cox loves a middle part. It's classic, polished, and complements her raven waves. Switching up your part is also a quick and easy way to change up your look. When deciding which hair part is right for you, consider your face shape. 24 of 25 2020 Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Stringer / Getty Images Whip out your trusty blazer to capture Cox's sophisticated style. Then, opt for tousled waves and a swipe of pink blush to complete this visually effortless look. When going for a healthy flush, you'll need to decide between cream vs. powder vs. cheek stain, just FYI. Cream vs. Powder vs. Stain: Which Blush Should You Use for a Healthy Flush? 25 of 25 2022 Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images Today's updos favor a more cool and undone finish — just look at Cox as proof. Her swept-back style with face-framing tendrils achieves actress off-duty perfection.