6 Times Celebrities Were Beauty-Shamed and It Wasn't Okay
Can they live?

Beauty is an art form. So why is it that certain individuals, ahem Twitter trolls, feel the need to mock celebrities who buck the classic red lips and pin curls trend on the red carpet in favor of something a little more daring? Why can't we just appreciate these subversive hair and makeup statements for being epic and call it a day? Alas, that's not the world we live in sometimes, so here are a couple of instances where stars were just too fierce for the basics.
1. Zendaya
Queen of hair statements Zendaya donned a fresh AF mullet at the 2016 Grammys and the Twitterverse did not stay mum on the matter.
"Some would say the mullet didn't work out," she said in a chat with ELLE.com. "But to me, they were talking about it, so I'd say it worked out. I think we can't allow ourselves to get caught up in other people's opinions of ourselves because then we're never going to progress, we're never going to go forward. So we've got to be real. We've got to do what we want to do even if people don't like it."
Amen, sista!
2. Lady Gaga
As part of her tribute to late legend David Bowie at the Grammys, Gaga sported bright orange hair and a royal blue suit. Instead of focusing on her commitment to the look, Twitter couldn't help but liken her to Ms. Frizzle and Harpic Toilet bleach. Smdh. Can't a girl channel her inner Ziggy Stardust in peace?
3. Katy Perry
For the 2016 Met Gala, Perry bleached her dark brows and the internet was mystified. There were Katy's-brows-were-no-shows jokes aplenty. What many had yet to realize is that the canceling out your arches = next-level makeup. For further proof, click here.
4. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Man, if any woman could pull off a pale lilac lip, it's Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Still, when the actress hit the 2016 Cannes Film Festival donning the unique shade, she literally got lipstick-shamed on Twitter. "Did Aishwarya kiss a Smurf?" tweeted one user. Uh, last time we checked Smurfs are blue...But more importantly, this was 100% badass on her part.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
5. Lupita Nyong'o
When Lupita hit the red carpet at this year's Met Gala with a beautiful towering 'do, people were throwing out Dr. Seuss' "Whoville" references left and right. Sigh. In reality, Nyong'o was paying homage to her African heritage, citing Nina Simone and "sculptural hairdos from around the continent" as her inspiration.
6. Solange
For reason we cannot even begin to comprehend, Solange was hair shamed on her wedding day because Facebook users were taking issue with her flower-adorned afro. 1) She's the bride and she will do what she damn well pleases and 2) Her natural hair is GORGEOUS. End of story.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Queen Elizabeth Kept This Genius Item Inside Her Famous Handbags
You'll never guess what she did before using it.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
I'm Copying Kate Hudson's Anti-Spring French Manicure ASAP
The star opted for a chic and moody twist on the classic.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
Princess Diana's Former Lover Speaks Out on Harry and William "Rift"
James Hewitt shared his thoughts on how Diana would've handled the situation.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
New York Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2025 Best Beauty Moments Are a Lesson in Juxtaposition
The week's best beauty looks were a maximalism master class.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Zoe Saldaña’s Red Nails and New Ombré Hair Match Her $3,495 Shoes
The actor is a master of the monochromatic look.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Nécessaire's Extra-Strength Deodorant Outlasts an Editor's Sweatiest Test: Fashion Week
Even with my hectic schedule, I've never smelled better.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Lily-Rose Depp’s Cool-Toned Makeup Is So ‘90s Coded
Clean girl meets grunge.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
The 13 Best Foundations for Mature Skin, Tested by Women Over 50
It's perfect for mature complexions.
By Siena Gagliano Published
-
Gray Hair Was the Hottest Accessory at the 2025 Golden Globes
Gray hair is chic, period.
By Hannah Baxter Published
-
25 Brown Nail Designs To Instantly Elevate Winter's Hottest Polish Trend
Luxury at your fingertips.
By Emma Aerin Becker Published
-
Billie EIlish’s Makeup Routine Is Surprisingly Wearable and Lasts for Hours
Her makeup routine is full of drugstore staples.
By Ariel Baker Published