| Beauty
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⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Forget the heavy bronzer myth—the VS runway has actually been anything from natural pixie cuts to chaotic Y2K rhinestone eyes. From Tyra’s graphic lashes to Gisele’s minimal debut, these Angels have been serving wild beauty shifts for decades!
We grew up thinking every Angel needed massive waves and heavy bronzer, but that’s actually such a myth. If you look back at the runway archives, the beauty evolution is wild. From natural vibes to full-on Y2K glitter, these models have been serving completely different aesthetics for decades.
From Natural Vibes to Bombshell Waves
In the very beginning, things were way more low-key than the high-glam era we remember. At the first-ever show, Veronica Webb kept it super chill with natural hair and a soft nude lip. Even by 1995, when frosty pink lipstick was everywhere, Beverly Peele was rocking her signature pixie cut and a shiny nude lip on the runway. By 1997, Rebecca Romijn was bringing that iconic bouncy, layered haircut energy, while Naomi Campbell was backstage serving long curls, pink blush, and major lashes.
💫 Straight hair was trending in 2001—as seen on Angel Heidi Klum.
As the millennium hit, the looks got much more experimental and extra. Tyra Banks basically owned the year 2000 with rhinestone eyes and glossy lips, followed by Adriana Lima’s debut featuring layers of baby-pink lip gloss. Straight hair was trending in 2001—as seen on Angel Heidi Klum. During this time, we saw everything from Alek Wek’s beautiful long braids to Tyra Banks rocking chunky highlights and white eyeliner paired with graphic false lashes.
The Era of Bronzer and Blowouts
The early 2000s really leaned into those specific trends we all tried to recreate in our bedrooms. Heidi Klum went through a phase of heavy bronzer and bangs in 2002, while Alessandra Ambrosio debuted with that feathered, layered haircut that felt so very of the moment. Interestingly, Gisele Bündchen looked almost unrecognizable during her first VS runway appearance, opting for minimal makeup and natural tan lines before she eventually solidified the “Angel” blueprint with her soft, bouncy blowout and ultra-tan skin.
Even the backstage moments were legendary. Naomi Campbell once showed up in a trucker hat with purple lipstick and matching blush, proving that even the biggest supermodels had a chaotic side. From deep side parts to Stephanie Seymour’s metallic-and-pink makeup, the Victoria’s Secret runway has always been about whatever trend was hitting at the time.
Which VS beauty era are you claiming as your own?
❓ People Also Ask
What were the early beauty trends for Victoria's Secret models?
Early Victoria's Secret beauty looks were much more low-key and natural than the high-glam eras that followed. During the first-ever show, Veronica Webb showcased a chill aesthetic with natural hair and soft nude lips. By 1995, the trend shifted slightly toward frosty pink lipstick, yet models like Beverly Peele maintained a more understated style with signature pixie cuts and shiny nude lips. These initial years focused on a softer approach before the runway transitioned into much more experimental and dramatic styles.
How did the Victoria's Secret beauty aesthetic change during the early 2000s?
The beauty aesthetic during the early 2000s became significantly more experimental, extra, and trend-driven. This era featured bold looks such as Tyra Banks's rhinestone eyes and glossy lips, as well as Adriana Lima's debut featuring layers of baby-pink lip gloss. Trends also shifted from the straight hair styles seen on Heidi Klum in 2001 to the heavy bronzer and bangs look that Klum embraced in 2002. This period was defined by graphic false lashes, white eyeliner, and chunky highlights.
What look did Gisele Bündchen debut during her first Victoria's Secret runway appearance?
Gisele Bündchen debuted with a very minimal makeup look and natural tan lines during her first appearance on the Victoria's Secret runway. This initial style was quite different from the iconic Angel blueprint she would eventually establish later in her career. Once she solidified her signature aesthetic, she became famous for her soft, bouncy blowouts and ultra-tan skin. Her evolution shows how the runway transitioned from minimal, natural appearances to the highly polished and bronzed look associated with the brand.
Which supermodels were known for specific hairstyles on the Victoria's Secret runway?
Several supermodels became synonymous with specific hairstyles that defined different eras of the Victoria's Secret runway. Rebecca Romijn was known for bringing iconic bouncy, layered haircut energy to the stage in 1997, while Naomi Campbell frequently served long, dramatic curls. In 2001, Heidi Klum helped popularize the straight hair trend. Additionally, Alessandra Ambrosio debuted with a feathered, layered haircut that captured the specific fashion energy of the early 2000s, showcasing the wide variety of hair trends used over the decades.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Harpers Bazaar