The Beauty Evolution of Nina Dobrev

From curly-haired teen to sophisticated girl crush.

March 11, 2017

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While most actresses would credit a six-year gig on a hit television show enough success to last a lifetime, Nina Dobrev is just getting started. From bursting onto the acting scene as a teen mom on Degrassi to playing human-turned-vampire Elena Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries, the Canadian native has already proven her versatile acting range on the small screen. Then there's her impeccable style, flawless skin and flowy hair—both on and off the red carpet—that confirm her beauty is supernatural IRL, too. Some people just have all the luck.

While we still haven't quite accepted the fact that The Vampire Diaries will soon come to an end forever, we happily revisit her best hair and makeup moments as Nina moves on to the next big thing. With lashes for days and hair that doesn't quit, we have no doubts that whatever she's got in the works will be major.

Click through the slideshow to see how Nina's beauty game has evolved after years in the biz.

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From curly-haired teen to sophisticated girl crush.
Photo: Getty Images
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July 2008
Nina goes for a smoky, shimmery shadow and liner on the top and lower lash lines. Note: Glowy skin, dramatic eye makeup and face-framing layers make for a head-turning prom moment.

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August 2008
Nina swaps her waves for a loose and shiny blowout complete with a side-swept braid. Her precisely-lined eyes and peachy cheeks look breezy and fresh.
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September 2008
Nina proves a date night-worthy beauty look doesn't require a two-hour long tango with a curling iron. To copy her soft, touchable waves, sleep in braids overnight. When you wake up, loosen them up with your fingers and add a touch of shine serum to add polish to your style. As for makeup, she keeps things simple with apricot cheeks and lips, plus volumizing mascara.

Photo: Getty Images
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March 2009
At the Kids' Choice Awards, Nina nods to the metallic accents of her dress with a statement gold headband pulling her sleek blowout away from her face and a pop of sparkly silver shadow on the inner corners of her eyes.
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June 2009
A sun-kissed Nina dresses up a low ponytail with face-framing pieces and volume in all the right places. On the makeup front, sparkly champagne shadow, illuminated cheeks and shimmery gloss all give her skin a serious glow.

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December 2009
We're not sure what's more fun: Nina's swingy high pony or her bright pink statement lip.
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May 2010
Nina's commitment to providing endless prom inspo continues. She gets creative with pinned-up curls accentuated with a thin double strand headband the color of her hair. (Cool points for the bright pop of magenta lipstick.)

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May 2010
Nina shows she certainly knows her way around a curling iron with this swirly updo topped off with an unexpected peacock-inspired blue headband. A whisper of pink gloss and bronze cheeks instantly brighten up her complexion.
Photo: Getty Images
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August 2010
At the Emmy Awards, Nina makes an updo look unfussy with a modern bouffant and a few strategic flyaways. Aside from an extra dose of kohl eyeliner, her makeup is natural so not to distract from her shimmery earrings and metallic dress.

Photo: Getty Images
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November 2010
Brushed-out curls add volume and movement to her hair for the Gemini Awards Gala. Her minimalist makeup look lives on with mascara, a swipe of pale pink balm and flawless skin.
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April 2011
At the Tribeca Film Festival, Nina keeps a sophisticated blowout and blazer combo a little more playful with mile-long lashes, mauve lips and bubblegum pinks nails.

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June 2011
At the MuchMusic Video Awards, we witness a rare color moment on her lids. Instead of going the matchy-matchy route, she opts for a darker, jewel-tone emerald shadow to complement her teal ensemble. Her bouncy curls look just as sophisticated on the red carpet as they do with jeans and a tee.
Photo: Getty Images
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July 2011
Nothing against Nina's signature makeup neutrals, but when it comes to an apple red lipstick like this, how can you not be obsessed? Her 'do gets a color update, too, transforming her chestnut strands into a nearly-black shade with auburn highlights.

Photo: Getty Images
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September 2011
Here at the Teen Vogue HQ, we haven't met a braid we didn't like—Nina's side-swept style included. It's a great way to get bangs out of the way, and to let peachy cheeks and lips like hers take the spotlight.
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September 2011
If we had Nina's secret beauty formula to perfect smoky eyes and effortless over-the-shoulder waves, we'd be smiling from ear to ear, too.

Photo: Getty Images
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February 2012
Nina sets her ponytail apart from the pack by adding a sweeping fishtail braid. Recreate the undone effect by pulling apart sections with your hands. She gave her otherwise neutral makeup a playful flair with smudged-out charcoal shadow and frosty lips.
Photo: Getty Images
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March 2012
Nina's less-is-more approach to makeup wins the red carpet every time, and this look she sported at The Vampire Diaries event at PaleyFest is no exception. The actress proves her hair knows no bounds with a lush, romantic side bun perfect for date nights, graduation, and beyond.

Photo: Getty Images
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July 2012
Loose waterfall braids keep her hair out of her face, letting her almond-shaped eyes and cool orangey gold shadow take center stage.
Photo: Getty Images
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January 2013
At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Nina shows off a new set off eye-grazing bangs with a tousled updo. Nina's still all about minimal makeup, save for a couple swipes of mascara and cheekbone-enhancing blush.

Photo: Getty Images
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February 2013
Just a month later, her bangs do a disappearing act thanks to a generous dose of hairspray. Nina takes advantage of the change-up by playing around with a smokier-than-usual shadow and liner look.
Photo: Getty Images
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August 2013
Nina brings back her bangs, this time in a sideswept style that amplifies fluffy lashes and the shimmery gold shadow on her lower lash line. Her tousled pony is evidence that a few flyaways can look impossibly cool.

Photo: Getty Images
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December 2013
Her low, braided chignon, flirty tendrils, and rosy cheeks are Pinterest gold.
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January 2014
At the People's Choice Awards Nina rocks a faux hawk style with this edgy, twisted updo. She made the most of her just-got-back-from-vacation glow with simple, groomed arches and chunky lashes.

Photo: Getty Images
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March 2014
With cool-girl beachy waves, she makes a half-up pony and bow accessory look more grownup than girly. Flushed cheeks and smoldering eye makeup keep things fresh and age-appropriate for the then, 23-year-old actress.
Photo: Getty Images
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May 2014
While no stranger to changing up her hairstyle, Nina's not one to take risks in the color department—until now. The star debuts honey-colored ombré strands during an appearance in New York City, with shimmery gold shadow to match.

Photo: Getty Images
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August 2014
With wispy tendrils, a haphazard part, and plenty of volume all over, Nina's unique side braid is sculptural and special. The interesting part about recreating the style is that it looks different on everyone guaranteeing that you'll be the only prom-goer with this 'do.
Photo: Getty Images
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January 2015
Long, straight layers tucked behind both ears look even more striking with a stark center part. As for makeup, Nina's minimalist vibe makes a comeback with volumized lashes, a nude lip and the tiniest sliver of white liner on the lower lash line to open up her eyes.

Photo: Getty Images
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January 2015
Her beauty game reaches new heights—literally—with a sky-high topknot and random pieces pulled out for texture. Mega lashes, champagne shadow, and muted lips finish off this feminine look.
Photo: Getty Images
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February 2015
Nina further emplifies her hairstyling prowess with a modern bouffant. Her eye makeup is a slight departure from her usual neutral go-tos, this time opting for a dark, smudged-out cat eye and slept-in liner.

Photo: Getty Images
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February 2015
There's so much to love about Nina's Academy Awards after-party wavy pony, full brows and fluffed-out lashes.
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March 2015
Leave it to Nina, the braid queen, to remind us that a simple, three-strand brand can have just as much impact as an even more intricate style when peeking through a sweet, curly half-updo. Her gorgeous, full lashes continue to make an appearance, leaving us wondering which exact mascara she owns (because we need to get our hands on it—stat!).

Photo: Getty Images
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August 2015
Nina plays up her freshly-shorn layers with a sleeker, straighter style than we’re used to seeing. Her dark, dramatic cat eye is the perfect complement.
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October 2015
Steal Nina’s trick for a super simple way to upgrade the half topknot: Rather than pull your hair straight back into a half-bun, weave a french-braid into the top portion of your hair. Finish by adding a slight wave to your ends.

Photo: Getty Images
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October 2015
Nina knows the easy elegance of a ballerina bun. Classic red lipstick and a bronze smoky eye amplify her skin’s golden glow.
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November 2015
Nina is basically our definition of hair goals here, rocking a blowout with double the dose of shine than usual. Polished brows play up the taupe tones in her shimmery eyeshadow.

Photo: Getty Images
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February 2016
Nina’s the epitome of a golden goddess. She offsets her healthy glow with a definitive center part and chunky lashes.
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May 2016
No bun is ever too messy, as Nina proves with this pretty, pulled-back style. As always, her signature cocoa smoky eye is pretty much all we can stare at.

Photo: Getty Images
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April 2016
Nina rarely ever wears her hair in a ponytail, but does so with finesse with this intentionally messy style. Random pieces frame her face, playing up Nina's coffee-colored liner and covetable fat lashes.
Photo: Getty Images
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September 2016
Nina schools us in the transformative powers of bobby pins, sweeping her hair in a deep side part and securing her strands with two bobbies. A swipe of raspberry lipstick sweetens up this schoolgirl-esque look.

Photo: Getty Images
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October 2016
Most of us would avoid two full lids of black shadow at all costs, but Nina manages to make a dark, smoky eye look ultra glam. She keeps the rest of her makeup fairly neutral, as if to match her nude-colored dress.
Photo: Getty Images
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January 2017
Look no further for celebrity lob inspo. Though she’s had super long hair for years, Nina trades her great lengths for a much shorter style, and it is everything. You know what they say: New year, new 'do.

Photo: Getty Images
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January 2017
Nina’s settling into her new style quite effortlessly. She adds several slight bends throughout her strands, sweeping her hair sideways with a sparkly barrette to fully bring the glamour. Dramatic makeup, pink lips, and a hint of blush complete the look.
Photo: Getty Images
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January 2017
Extra volume at the roots is Nina's secret ingredient in her recipe for good hair. She leaves her brows au naturel, but diffuses a chocolate liner along her upper lids to accentuate her eyes.

Photo: Getty Images
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February 2017
Do we detect that Nina may be addicted to the scissors? At Vanity Fair’s legendary Oscars bash, the starlet debuts a significantly shorter cut and a killer cat eye.
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