Here on the Cosmo Beauty desk, a beauty transformation can mean many things: a dramatic bob chop, a brunette to blonde bleach job, or even a fully shaved head – Jason Momoa, I'm looking at you.
But today, pop star, Rita Ora has taken the definition to a whole new level, [insert big word for said big change, here] 'metamorphosing' into a real-life sea creature. Yep, you read that right, we have a walking, talking mermaid among us, gills and all. Confused, much? Let me explain...
The statement makeover arrived on the red carpet at the The Fashion Awards 2022. Standing out among the roster of A-list celebrities, Rita opted to rock up as a sea creature, blocking out her eyebrows with prosthetic gills, topped off with an ombre pink lip. It's giving #MermaidCore, minus the tail, and it's a vibe:
To complete the beauty transformation, Rita has, aptly, worn her hair in loose mermaid curls. And as you probably guessed, her curls – that have been styled away from her face – frame the entire look perfectly.
Beauty aside, can we also just take a mo' to acknowledge Rita's star-studded see-through dress, complete with exposed thong and bra-like top? Now, all I gotta do is work out what occasion I can use to recreate this look... office party-inspo, anyone?
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
