There’s only one celebrity from whom the whole #flawless phenomenon could have sprung: Queen Bey herself. And there's more to it than just being really, really, ridiculously good-looking. Beyoncé owns her look — literally. Over the past few years, the number of paparazzi shots we’ve seen of the singer has been reduced to next to nil, while pics gleaned from her tour are pre-approved and sourced from her own camp. Such control over her image may mean we get less frequent peeks of her looks, but it also gives us perfection with every appearance — something formerly reserved for sainthood.
Some stars lose points for appearing too calculated. Not Bey. She's cool, incredibly deliberate, and somehow even more flawless with every single one of her rare appearances. Here’s how she’s pulled it off, one showstopping #IWokeUpLikeThis look at a time.
A bright-eyed Beyoncé keeps it so fresh and so clean at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards with a sleek pony and simple cat-eye.
Photo: KMazur/WireImage/ Getty Images.
Back in the day, Beyoncé was known for her glossy, nude lips. But this fuchsia statement, worn in 2005, winningly breaks the mold.
Photo: Robin Platzer/ Getty Images.
Beyoncé teaches everyone how it's done at the 2005 Oscars. We also love that she was early on the double-winged liner trend by, oh, just 11 years.
Photo: KMazur/WireImage/ Getty Images.
Leave it to Beyoncé to make Lakers colors work on her eyes. The secret? Keeping the rest of the look simple with a sleek bun and otherwise neutral makeup.
Photo: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic/ Getty Images.
This 2005 look is classic Beyoncé: honey-tinted waves, a dewy complexion, and undeniable self-confidence.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/ Getty Images.
A diffused stroke of eye-opening teal paired with nude lips and flushed cheeks: This is blue eye makeup done right .
Photo: L. Cohen/WireImage/ Getty Images.
Remember when we all dyed our under-layers black in 2008? Beyoncé won that game — by a long shot. We're also majorly digging the touches of glitter on her lips and lashes.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/ Getty Images.
From this moment forward, you can just refer to this style as the Bey hive. She keeps the '60s updo current by pairing up-there hair with simple nude lips, rosy cheeks, and winged eyes.
Photo: Paul Morigi/WireImage/ Getty Images.
The singer has had an on-again, off-again relationship with bangs since her Destiny’s Child days. But we’re especially fond of these pinup-girl baby bangs, which launched a thousand copycats.
Photo: Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle/GC Images.
Beyoncé's go-to beauty look in 2014? Bold statement lips, according to makeup artist Sir John. This vampy number — paired with the most amazing voilette headband ever — made for Met Gala perfection.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
Who says you have to choose between a bold lip and a smoky eye? Queen Bey broke the rules, and majorly won, at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
Photo: Allen J. Schaben/ Los Angeles Times/ Getty Images.
How much do you want to replicate this ultra-high pony and whip your hair back and forth? True to form, Beyoncé serves up major beauty inspo again at the 2015 Met Gala.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images.
Soft, coppery makeup and a tightly pulled low-do (not to mention that drop-dead gorgeous bridal gown) give the Grammy winner an angelic vibe at the 2016 Grammys.
Photo: Mark Davis/ WireImage/ Getty Images.
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