Scarlett Johansson's Striking Transformation: A Before-and-After Beauty Journey

Jimmy Henton
Dec 24, 2023
Dec 24, 2023

In 2004, at the age of 20, Scarlett Johansson boldly expressed her belief in the benefits of plastic surgery, stating, "I definitely believe in plastic surgery. I don’t want to be an old hag. There’s no fun in that." Despite her openness to cosmetic enhancements, the acclaimed actress vehemently denied undergoing any procedures when faced with speculation in a 2007 Us Weekly article suggesting a nose job. Johansson not only dismissed the claims as "outrageous and defamatory" but also considered legal action, although it never came to fruition.

Now 38, Johansson continues to grapple with persistent plastic surgery rumors. Renowned for her striking green eyes, blonde locks, and bee-stung lips, she stands as one of Hollywood's most beautiful women. The question lingers: Did she hit the genetic jackpot with her distinctive features, or did she receive a little assistance along the way? Let's dive into Johansson's transformative journey over the years to uncover the truth.

At the 1997 Independent Spirit Awards

Source: Globe Photos

Let's begin with this snapshot, likely capturing Scarlett's inaugural red carpet moment at the tender age of 12. Even at this early stage, she had already spent three years in the world of acting. In this image, we get a glimpse of her original nose shape and her natural hair color—a soft, mousy brown.

At the 1998 Fresh Air Fund Gala

Source: Anthony Savignano/Ipol/Globe Photos

By the time she reached 13, not many alterations had taken place, except for bidding farewell to the baby barrettes and embracing a trendy touch with a brick-toned lipstick—a nod to the fashionable trends of the 1990s!

At the 1998 New York City Premiere Party for ‘A Solider’s Daughter Never Cries’

Source: Sonia Moskowitz/Globe Photos

Later that same year, she continued to sport the same lip shade, but with a shift in her hairstyle—her brown locks now styled in a wavy, layered fashion. It's evident that this period predates any involvement with cosmetic dentistry.

At a 2000 BCBG Max Azria Fashion Show

Source: Henry McGee/Globe Photos

When Us Weekly leveled accusations of a "nip and tuck" against Scarlett, they delved into images from 2000, much like the one presented here. The comparison suggests a noticeable difference in her nose from what we see today.

On the contrary, her lips seem to maintain consistency. Across these early photographs, spanning her teenage years, her lips consistently appear plump and well-defined.

At the 2001 Hollywood Film Festival Gala Ceremony Awards

Source: Paul Smith/Featureflash

When Scarlett made her debut in "Ghost World" at the age of 17, a noticeable transformation in her appearance took place.

Beyond the over-tweezed brows and the application of more makeup, including the once-trendy "ring around the lips" lip liner, there's a possibility that the change extends beyond cosmetics. Speculation arises about a potential reduction in the prominence of her nose during this period.

At the 2002 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Eight Legged Freaks’

Source: Tom Lau/Star Max

This particular image solidifies my suspicions. Suddenly adorned with dyed red hair, a more sophisticated makeup style, and a nose ring drawing attention to what appears to be a newly reshaped nose.

My speculation leans towards the possibility that Scarlett may have undergone a rhinoplasty around 2001 or 2002, just before her breakthrough role in "Lost in Translation" catapulted her to box office stardom. There's a discernible sense of enhanced balance in her features compared to her earlier years.

At the 2003 Independent Spirit Awards

Source: S. Bukley/ImageCollect

Yes, indeed, there was a time when Scarlett sported a mullet. Fondly recalling the unconventional hairstyle, she humorously remarked, "There was a total party going on in the back of my head! I had a 'mullet pride' shirt that I wore." It's safe to say that the wispy 'do was probably never considered a hair goal, even in those bygone days!

At the 2004 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’

Source: Featureflash

At the age of 20, Scarlett ventured into even lighter territory, embracing a platinum blonde hue that undeniably accentuated her star quality. Simultaneously, she bid farewell to the experimental hairstyles, likely finding a more reliable styling team to guide her onward.

At the 2005 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Match Point’

Source: NPX/Star Max

Ah, who could forget that phase when Scarlett fully embraced old Hollywood glamour? She consistently adorned herself with retro curls, a classic red lip, minimal eye makeup, and often sported a daring plunging neckline.

Notably, her smile had undergone an upgrade, now appearing straighter and more even—although, as the photos amusingly reveal, not entirely immune to the occasional lipstick-on-teeth mishap!

At the 2006 Golden Globes

Source: XYZ/Star Max

This particular event served as the defining moment that solidified Scarlett's "bombshell" status in Hollywood. Adorned with the essential long, blonde waves, she confidently showcased her famous curves in a striking low-cut red dress.

Take note of her nose, notably more button-like at this juncture, adding to the allure of her evolving aesthetic.

At the 2007 Louis Vuitton Love Party

Source: ACE Pictures

Following the conclusion of "The Nanny Diaries," Scarlett underwent a notable change, opting for an extremely bleached blonde look worn straight and elegantly pinned off her face.

It's worth noting that this transformation coincided with the onset of nose job allegations. Given that her nose appears even smaller than it did in 2004, there's speculation that she may have undergone further refinements during this period.

At the 2008 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’

Source: Carrie Nelson/ImageCollect

In 2008, Scarlett returned to a more understated look, albeit with a subtle vintage flair. The red lipstick showcased her naturally full lips and nearly perfect smile, while the darker roots added a touch of authenticity to her blonde color. It was a moment of effortless elegance that highlighted her timeless beauty.

At the 2009 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’

Source: David Longendyke/Globe Photos

Before landing her iconic role as Black Widow in Iron Man 2, Scarlett made a notable change by dyeing her hair a rich, dark auburn. She later revealed that this transformation was driven by a "subconscious" hope that the role would come her way.

Remarkably, given her neutral skin tone, she carried off the dark auburn shade with the same grace and style as her signature blonde look.

At the 2010 MTV Movie Awards

Source: Genesis/Star Max

However, Scarlett didn't stay away from her signature light hair for long. This time around, she embraced a warm, golden hue, pairing it with frizzy, messy waves—a style that perfectly captured the texture-centric trend of the early 2010s. To complete the look, she adorned her eyes with plenty of black liner, showcasing her versatility in effortlessly adapting to evolving fashion trends.

At the 2011 Oscars

Source: Byron Purvis/AdMedia

Scarlett's bob is a memorable style moment. She was undoubtedly ahead of the curve with this choppy, piecey 'do, likely serving as inspiration for countless haircuts over the years. However, during this phase, it seems her teeth were showing signs of staining—an aspect that might be attributed to her long-standing habit of smoking, which reportedly began in her teenage years.

At the 2011 Guys Choice Awards

Source: Michael Germana/Globe Photos

Later in the same year, Scarlett underwent yet another transformation, dyeing her hair a striking cherry red shade while filming The Avengers. It prompts the question: is there any hair color that this woman doesn't look good in? The resounding answer seems to be no, as Scarlett effortlessly carries off each hue with undeniable style and grace.

At the 2012 London Premiere of ‘The Avengers’

Source: Steve Vas/Featureflash

Within a year, Scarlett bid farewell to the red dye, allowing her bob to grow out enough for a charming braided updo. The hairstyle, showcasing her perfectly proportioned features, provided a chic and elegant look. At 28, Scarlett demonstrated her ability to effortlessly adapt her style while maintaining a timeless and refined aesthetic.

At the 2013 Toronto Premiere of ‘Under the Skin’

Source: Brent Perniac/AdMedia

Following that, Scarlett unveiled a full mane of golden blonde waves, likely enhanced with a few extensions for added volume. Despite meticulous attention to detail, such as coordinating purple smoky eyeshadow with her dress, her teeth didn't quite achieve a blindingly white brilliance at this point.

At the 2014 London Premiere of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

Source: Alexandra Glen/Featureflash

Adorned with smooth waves and vampy lip color, this look refers to Scarlett's old Hollywood-style era from a decade earlier. At this point, she was pregnant, marking a significant moment that served as her last hurrah with long hair for a while.

At the 2014 Champions of Rockaway Hurricane Sandy Benefit

Source: Dennis Van Tine/Star Max

In a truly radical change, Scarlett opted for a dramatic chop, bidding farewell to her long locks. This photo, captured just two months after giving birth to her daughter, showcases a style that defies the typical "Mom" cut.

Scarlett wouldn't embrace the classic "Mom" hair until a few years later, in 2018!

At the 2015 London Premiere of ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’

Source: KGC-03/Star Max

In 2015, Scarlett injected a punky twist into her short hair, opting to shave the sides and bleach the top a light, cool-toned blonde. Regardless of personal preferences, it's undeniable that this bold choice further accentuated her uniquely beautiful features, drawing attention to her distinct and captivating aesthetic.

At the 2016 Variety Power of Women Luncheon

Source: PR Photos

At the 2017 New York City Premiere of ‘Ghost in the Shell’

Source: Dennis Van Tine/Star Max

The subsequent year brought a surprising change of heart regarding longer hair for Scarlett. Contrary to expectations, she recommitted to the pixie cut, buzzing off the sides once again and slicking it all back with copious amounts of hair gel.

While the edgy look might not resonate with everyone, it's evident that Scarlett carries it off more successfully than some, as evidenced by her ability to pull it off better than Katy Perry, according to personal taste.

At the 2018 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’

Source: Izumi Hasegawa/Hollywood News Wire

At last, Scarlett embarked on the journey of growing out her hair in earnest, captured at the age of 33. Simultaneously, she opted for a change in color, dyeing it a rich, chocolatey brown.

While this shade might be fitting for longer locks, at this length, it appears somewhat helmet-like, despite the addition of vibrant eye makeup attempting to compensate for the overall effect.

At the 2019 Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Avengers: Endgame’

Source: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

In a swift transformation, the familiar Scarlett returned! She exchanged the brown hue for her signature blonde, incorporating dark roots for added depth. Extensions were likely employed to infuse both length and volume into her locks. Notably, attention to her teeth is evident—besides the brightening, they now exhibit complete evenness and uniformity in size, contributing to her radiant smile.

At the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards

Source: Carrie Nelson/ImageCollect

Subsequently, Scarlett unveiled a buttery baby blonde shade, radiating an inner glow. One might speculate whether this newfound radiance was a result of her career reaching unprecedented heights—garnering not one, but two Oscar nominations for "Jojo Rabbit" and "Marriage Story."

Alternatively, could it be attributed to the anticipation of her upcoming nuptials to Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost? The confluence of personal and professional milestones potentially contributes to her luminous demeanor.

At the 2021 American Cinematheque Awards

Source: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

Having tied the knot in late 2020, Scarlett welcomed her second child, a son, in the summer of 2021. Throughout the remainder of the year, she found herself immersed in what she fondly termed a "baby bliss bubble."

While the demands of parenthood may have prompted a slightly heavier application of under-eye concealer to counteract lost sleep, Scarlett's complexion remains flawless. Interestingly, the faint lines between her brows hint at a natural aging process, suggesting that she hasn't ventured down the Botox route just yet.

At the 2023 Cannes Premiere of ‘Asteroid City’

Source: Laurent Koffel/ImageCollect

Fast-forwarding to one of her most recent red carpet appearances, Scarlett exudes a breathtaking beauty. The return of the blonde lob, a style I've often deemed her "Life Cut," further accentuates her allure. What's particularly striking is how she enhances her enviably full lips with a vibrant orange lipstick. Notably, the previously mentioned "11s" between her brows have seemingly vanished, yet Scarlett maintains an incredibly natural appearance, devoid of any overt enhancements.