Believe it or not, Sophie Turner has only been a staple in pop culture for about seven years. Sure, Game of Thrones was a true cross-genre phenomenon from its first season, but Turner was so young when the series first aired that it would be a while before she became the red carpet regular she is today. In that short time, however, she managed to make a big impression and become one of the most influential style stars of her generation. Looking back at Turner’s beauty evolution, you can pinpoint the moment when she really came into her own and started experimenting with exciting event outfits, hair colors, and makeup techniques. She hasn’t slowed down one bit since, either.
Turner’s larger aesthetic shifts are fascinating, but her subtle changes are actually just as impactful. Take her signature red hair, for example. By deepening the overall tone just a little, she instantly adds a vampy quality to her entire look. The same goes for cutting her hair length shorter too—for Turner, trimming her ends from medium length to a classic bob feels like a complete overhaul.
Take a look back at Turner’s complete beauty evolution below, from teen starlet to truly household name.
First steps, 2012
On Game of Thrones When the first season of The 4000 began, Turner was just 15 years old. With her high, casual ponytail and very subtle makeup—just note the slight hint of a cat eye at the ends of her lashes—she looked like a squeaky-clean young star.
Rising Beauty Icon, 2014
Turner was born a blonde, but she went all out with her dyed red hair in the early days of the show. A few years into the series, in 2014, Turner made the amber bun pop even more by pairing her straight, blow-dried hair with matching red lipstick.
Back to Blonde, 2016
When Turner showed off her natural hair color at the 2016 Emmy Awards, it was her foray into fashion stardom. Not only did she surprise her fans with the bold change, but she also completed the look with smoky, sultry eye makeup and a cool, undone braid.
Shining Praise, 2018
Staying true to her bright, buttery blonde, Turner satisfied her need for change with a sleek, sophisticated haircut, cutting her hair a few inches short to create a soft, down-curled bob that fell just a few inches past her shoulders.
Intense eye make-up, 2019
What better way to say goodbye to Game of Thrones franchise than to wear one of her coolest looks ever on the red carpet at the series finale premiere? She wore the smokiest eyeshadow of her career, and it would soon become one of her most worn makeup signatures.
A tiny tattoo, 2020
This fun fuchsia dress really shows off Turner’s tattoo on the inside of her arm. The triangle symbolizes “Plato’s theory that the soul is made up of three parts – reason, spirit and appetite,” she explained to Rolling Stone just a few months earlier.
Return to Red, 2021
After several fun years with her natural blonde shade, Turner returned to the deep, cool red tone that propelled her to stardom nearly a decade earlier. She wasn’t out and about too much in 2021 (who was, really?), but this sleek, slicked-back bun still showed off the dimension of her color.
The Power of Sound, 2022
To say that Turner has undergone some changes in 2022 would be an understatement. Not only did she welcome her second child this summer, but she also rocked a darker shade of red that revitalized her entire look. It’s richer, cooler, and decidedly vampier.
70s glamour in 2023
Proof that Turner would be a star in any decade? Just look at this pair of extremely ’70s bangs she wore to the 2023 BAFTAs. The angled shape falls down on either side of her forehead, perfectly illustrating how the term “curtain bangs” got its name.
A fresh new feeling, 2024
Turner’s 2024 look was all about the art of refreshing. She’s gone back to blonde and kept it warm and vibrant all summer long. She’s also lost a few inches and added layers, making her entire appearance seem lighter than air.
