MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • marie hair
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Beauty

10 Australian Actresses' Incredible Then-And-Now Beauty Transformations

From locally loved stars to international A-listers - by Sukriti Wahi
  • 28 Oct 2020

Australia may be far away from the 'rest of the world', but we've certainly produced our fair share of acclaimed Hollywood stars.

Our homegrown actresses, in particular, have come to dominate Tinseltown, with the likes of Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie taking over the silver screen (and in the case of Bombshell, doing it together), after cutting their teeth in local films and Australian soaps.

So, to celebrate some of our locally loved stars turned international A-listers (as well as their Hollywood makeovers), we pulled together a then-and-now evolution to see just how far they've come.

Keep scrolling to see them all.

Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher

Although Isla Fisher may be an esteemed Hollywood actress known for her incredible comic timing today (pictured left in 1990, and pictured right at the 2020 Golden Globes), the Australian star actually had her breakout role in Home and Away in 1994, after several years of appearing in commercials.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett

One of the greatest Australian actresses to have ever trod the boards, Cate Blanchett started her career in theatre opposite Geoffrey Rush in the early '90s. Today, Blanchett (pictured left in 1994, and right in February 2020) is one of the country's greatest exports and a true icon of both stage and screen.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman

Like Blanchett, Nicole Kidman ranks amongst some of the greatest Australian actresses to take Hollywood by storm (pictured on the right at the 2020 SAG Awards). Although the Kidman started acting in local films with her natural red curls in 1983 (as pictured on the left), she debuted 'blonde bombshell' hair in 1995, when she appeared in Batman Forever opposite Val Kilmer, cementing the look that has now come to be her signature.

Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne made her local onscreen debut in the film Dallas Doll in 1994, before landing her first leading role in the 2000 film The Goddess of 1967(pictured left in the same year, pictured right in January 2020). She has since starred in numerous commercially and critically successful projects including the blockbuster Bridesmaids and the psychological thriller series Damages, for which she earned two Emmy Award nominations.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts

Home and Away alum Naomi Watts has had quite the stellar career (now matched by an equally stellar asymmetrical bob). From making her Australian film debut in 1986 (pictured left in her pre-fame headshot from the same year) to being nominated for multiple Academy Awards for 'Best Actress', Watts' career trajectory is certainly nothing to be sneezed at.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

From a nose-ring sporting soap star on Neighbours (pictured left in 2009) to a perfectly coiffed, Oscar-nominated actress (pictured right at the 2020 Academy Awards), Margot Robbie's before-and-after Hollywood beauty evolution is definitely one for the history books.

Nathalie Kelley

Nathalie Kelley

Sydney-raised actress Nathalie Kelly of Dynasty reboot and Unreal fame may have favoured long and tumbling locks once upon a time (pictured left in 2006, and right in 2019), but these days her Instagram is a veritable treasure trove for bob and lob hairstyle inspiration.

Samara Weaving

Samara Weaving

Earning her stripes in local TV shows Out of The Blue and Home and Away, Samara Weaving (pictured left in 2009, and right in 2019) landed her first Hollywood lead role in 2013 and hasn't looked back since, with the now-'bronde' Weaving starring in Ryan Murphy's highly anticipated Netflix series, Hollywood.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette

Easily one of Australia's most well-respected stars, Toni Collette's illustrious career began in 1990 and today spans film, TV, production and stage, as well as singing and songwriting. And while her quote-worthy performance as the titular character in Muriel's Wedding is easily one of her most memorable, Collette (pictured left in 1994, and right in January 2020) has since starred in a number of commercial and independent Hollywood productions, including The Sixth Sense, Knives Out and The Hours.

Teresa Palmer

Teresa Palmer

Ride Like A Girl actress Teresa Palmer kick-started her acting career in 2005 and has gone from strength to strength since. The actress, who currently stars in the hit TV series A Discovery Of Witches, is now also an entrepreneur, having co-founded parenting site Zen Mamas and plant-based supplements brand, Lovewell.

  • Beauty
  • Celebrity

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

What 'Bombshell' Got Right: The Crazy Scenes That Actually Happened

What 'Bombshell' Got Right: The Crazy Scenes That Actually Happened

12 Australian Actresses' Stunning Then-And-Now Fashion Transformations

12 Australian Actresses' Stunning Then-And-Now Fashion Transformations

The Eerie Trailer For Nicole Kidman’s Spine-Tingling Series ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Is Finally Here

The Eerie Trailer For Nicole Kidman’s Spine-Tingling Series ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Is Finally Here

We Need To Talk About Nicole Kidman's Outfits In 'The Undoing'

We Need To Talk About Nicole Kidman's Outfits In 'The Undoing'

{headline}

{headline}

Nicole Kidman Talks Parenting And Why She Won't Let Her Daughters Join Instagram

Nicole Kidman Talks Parenting And Why She Won't Let Her Daughters Join Instagram

Charlize Theron Is The Definition Of A Bombshell In This LBD

Charlize Theron Is The Definition Of A Bombshell In This LBD

‘Bombshell’ Starring Margot Robbie And Nicole Kidman Is Inspired By This True Story

‘Bombshell’ Starring Margot Robbie And Nicole Kidman Is Inspired By This True Story

{headline}

{headline}

PSA: Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman And Charlize Theron Are Starring In A Movie Together

PSA: Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman And Charlize Theron Are Starring In A Movie Together

Margot Robbie And Nicole Kidman Are Teaming Up For A New Movie

Margot Robbie And Nicole Kidman Are Teaming Up For A New Movie

The 7 Most Stunning Oscars Beauty Looks

The 7 Most Stunning Oscars Beauty Looks

The 7 Best Beauty Looks From The 2018 SAG Awards

The 7 Best Beauty Looks From The 2018 SAG Awards

From Mansions To Homesteads: Inside All 11 Of Nicole Kidman's Houses With Keith Urban

From Mansions To Homesteads: Inside All 11 Of Nicole Kidman's Houses With Keith Urban

Calling All Cousin Greg Enthusiasts: ‘Succession’ Season 4 Has Started Filming

Calling All Cousin Greg Enthusiasts: ‘Succession’ Season 4 Has Started Filming

How The Indie Sleaze Aesthetic Made Its Triumphant Return

How The Indie Sleaze Aesthetic Made Its Triumphant Return

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire