Unless you’ve spent the last few decades completely off the grid, Jennifer Aniston’s face has likely become as familiar to you as your own reflection. A permanent fixture in Hollywood and a beloved household name, Aniston has carved out a legacy that’s as enduring as it is iconic. Whether she’s solving crimes with Adam Sandler in Murder Mystery or delivering powerhouse performances in The Morning Show on Apple TV+, the Emmy-winning actress remains a force to be reckoned with. Still, it’s her unforgettable portrayal of Rachel Green on all 10 seasons of the sitcom Friends that firmly cemented her in pop culture history.

Today, Aniston looks far removed from the ‘90s “girl next door” who captured the hearts of millions. But even earlier photos from her youth highlight just how much the star has changed — not just in her career, but in her overall appearance.

Jennifer Aniston’s hair journey alone could fill a chapter in any beauty history book. After all, she’s the woman responsible for launching “The Rachel,” a layered, bouncy cut that took the 1990s by storm. Hair salons across the country were flooded with women asking for the style, much to the chagrin of stylists everywhere. But long before the world fell in love with Rachel Green’s trademark hairstyle, young Jennifer had a very different look.

In a nostalgic throwback post shared to her Instagram, a much younger Aniston can be seen with long, straight hair parted in the middle and topped with classic 1970s fringe. It was the quintessential boho hairstyle of the era — a far cry from the polished Hollywood sheen we associate with her today. Those childhood bangs would eventually give way to sleeker, bang-free looks more fitting for a globally recognized star.

But even Aniston herself admits that some of her earlier style choices were far from glamorous. Reflecting on a red carpet moment from the Leprechaun premiere during an interview with Allure in 2023, she didn’t hold back. “First of all, that’s awful,” she laughed, recalling the hairstyle she sported at the time. To make matters worse, she confessed she’d cut the bangs herself. While the result wasn’t exactly disastrous, it was clear even then that styling wasn’t her strongest suit — at least not yet.

Despite those awkward beauty phases, one thing about Aniston has always stood out: her impossibly shiny, healthy hair. In fact, it’s been such a hallmark of her brand that she decided to turn her hair obsession into a business venture. In 2021, she launched LolaVie, a haircare line aimed at simplifying and elevating hair routines. Though she hasn’t said what inspired the brand specifically, it wouldn’t be surprising if her early style blunders played a role in her decision to create products she could actually stand behind.

Aniston’s beauty regime today is the stuff of legend. From high-tech skincare gadgets to a lineup of premium serums and consistent facial treatments, the actress is famously committed to maintaining her appearance. But perhaps what’s most striking is her willingness to acknowledge the mistakes of her past — especially when it comes to skincare.

Surprisingly, it’s not those uneven bangs or questionable red carpet looks that Aniston regrets most. Instead, it’s her youthful disregard for proper skin protection. Like many of her generation, Aniston once believed that a deep tan was the epitome of beauty — even if it meant baking in the sun coated in baby oil. Reflecting on those years in a 2017 Allure interview, she was candid: “My biggest beauty regret is the amount of sunbathing I used to do without sunscreen. I mean, baby oil? What was I thinking?… I loved being brown — I loved it, I loved it, I loved it.”

Fortunately, times have changed, and so has Aniston’s attitude toward sun safety. These days, she never skips SPF. Her go-to? Aveeno’s Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Moisturizing Face Lotion — a product she praises for keeping her skin protected and glowing. This new approach has helped her maintain a youthful appearance, though it has also led to persistent speculation about plastic surgery. Aniston, however, attributes her glow-up not to cosmetic procedures but to discipline, self-care, and hard-earned wisdom.

From her early bangs and sun-soaked skin to her current role as a beauty entrepreneur and TV powerhouse, Jennifer Aniston’s evolution is nothing short of remarkable. She’s proof that even the most glamorous stars have their awkward beginnings — and that reinvention is just another part of the journey.