You don’t strictly need a reason to celebrate the majesty of one Ms. Mariah Carey, but this very Thursday—which just so happens to be the legendary diva’s 56th birthday—is a pretty good day to do so.

I know it’s hard to believe (seriously, Mariah, drop the skincare routine, not that I’m likely to be able to afford any part of it), but Carey is now officially in the back half of her 50s—and she’s got the well-developed musical catalog and matching sense of style to prove it. While we wait for news of her hotly anticipated 16th album, here are 30 throwback photos of Carey over the years to help inspire your next carefully coordinated waistless-denim aughts look.