Don’t say Pamela Anderson is having a “comeback” because she’s never really gone anywhere — especially if you’re considering her influence on beauty trends. Since she first achieved mainstream fame back in the early ‘90s, the Baywatch star has been someone the world has looked to for inspiration when they want to feel like a total bombshell. Throughout her 30-plus years in the spotlight, she’s continued to expand and evolve her definition of that word. Sometimes she’s done so in small ways, other times through major statements that change other peoples’ perception of what’s beautiful as well.
When she was first discovered through a serendipitous appearance on a jumbotron while attending a football game, Anderson immediately stood out for her gorgeous girl-next-door aesthetic: Fresh-faced with beachy blonde hair and a bright smile. Within a few years, she became known for her pencil thin brows and messy updos as she turned up the volume with her glam. Then, after basically being the blonde bombshell blueprint for decades, she changed the game again by embracing her makeup-free face and more minimalist hairstyles in her mid-50s. Her reason? The feeling of freedom it gave her. And while the Sonsie founder hasn’t sworn off makeup for good, right now she’s happy to celebrate the skin she’s in — and in the process convinced so many other women to do the same, regardless of their age.
With a leading role in a buzzworthy new film and a slew of contemporary stars who still hold her ‘90s style on a pedestal (looking at you, Kim Kardashian), Anderson is even more of an icon than ever before — and a look back at her beauty evolution shows just why she was and still is so influential.
1992
When cast on Baywatch in 1992, Anderson had already begun to evolve into the quintessential beach babe, with her naturally brunette hair bleached sunny blonde and makeup still pretty minimal.
1994
By 1994, the actor and model had become synonymous with the tousled updo that’s had quite a resurgence these days. Anderson also began going a bit more glam with her makeup, debuting thinner brows and frosty lipstick.
1995
The Barb Wire star solidified her vixen status at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, when she channeled ‘60s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot with her hair and makeup.
1997
From the mid to late ‘90s, Anderson became known for her bold award show style, like the time she sported pigtails and a giant hat to the 1997 American Music Awards.
1999
A look that inspired Halloween costumes for decades after (see: Kim Kardashian circa 2018), Anderson’s ‘99 MTV Music Awards show appearance involved electric blue eyeshadow and long blonde curls beneath a fluffy pink hat.
2003
The Scary Movie 3 star’s hair was bigger than ever at the 2003 American Music Awards, in Farrah Fawcett-inspired curls that were a change of pace from her go-to style.
2006
Anderson went for a more Old Hollywood-inspired glam while attending the 2006 Golden Globes. With soft, side-swept curls and more toned-down makeup, her look was quite a surprise on the red carpet.
2014
In 2014, Anderson chopped her iconic blonde curls to be more aerodynamic for the New York City Marathon (where she raised money for Haiti). “I just thought my hair had a life, and I wanted to kind of put that behind me and start fresh,” she explained to Ellen Degeneres during a talk show appearance. The same year, she told Elle the short hair made her feel “powerful.”
2015
As her pixie grew out, Anderson channeled a Scarface-era Michelle Pfeiffer with a disco-era bob and bangs at the The Gunman premiere in Los Angeles.
2019
While attending the Vivienne Westwood Womenswear Spring/Summer 2020 show at Paris Fashion Week, the subject of Pamela: a Love Story embraced another retro look. This time, her pinned curls, rouged lips, and veiled fascinator recalled bombshells of the ‘40s and ‘50s.
2022
In 2022, Anderson scored the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, adding an exciting new chapter to her career. The actor appeared to be influenced by the 1920s era in terms of her vampy dark red lipstick, while channeling the ‘40s with her soft, shiny bright blonde waves.
2023
Anderson instantly made headlines when she attended Paris Fashion Week with a (gasp!) completely bare face. It came as quite a shock for those who had associated her with over-the-top glam in the past, but for the fashion icon it felt like a natural move. “Something just came over me and I was dressing in these beautiful clothes and and I thought, ‘I don’t want to compete with the clothes,’” she told Vogue. “I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.”
2024
While The Last Showgirl star has mostly been making her red carpet appearances bare-faced over the past year, she’ll still dabble with makeup when the mood strikes. And what better occasion to get ultra glam than the Met Gala? With a feather-adorned updo and soft pink eyes and cheeks to complement her Oscar de la Renta gown, she highlighted her natural beauty and showed that there’s no one right way to be a bombshell.
