The 2025 Governors Awards brought Hollywood’s elite together for an evening that functioned as both a celebration of cinematic achievement and an early runway for the upcoming 2026 awards season beauty trends. Unlike the high-stakes tension of the Oscars or the Golden Globes, the Governors Awards are historically known for cultivating a more intimate, understated atmosphere. This relaxed environment consistently grants A-list celebrities the creative freedom to experiment with off-duty hair textures, take calculated makeup risks, and debut transitional styles that signal shifting aesthetics across the industry.
As captured through the lenses of the Academy’s photographers, this year’s red carpet delivered a fascinating juxtaposition of beauty movements. Attendees navigated a spectrum spanning from ultra-minimalist "clean girl" minimalism and moody Gothic glam to refreshed, modern takes on Old Hollywood classicism.
Main Facts: The 2025 Governors Awards Beauty Landscape
Held in Los Angeles, the 2025 Governors Awards served as a vital cultural thermometer for upcoming stylistic shifts in Hollywood. The evening’s most prominent overarching trends included a notable pivot away from hyper-defined middle parts toward softer, voluminous side-swept hair, alongside a cultural reckoning with transitional hair colors—specifically deep, dramatic brunettes and rich autumn reds.
While some stars leaned into effortless, makeup-free skin aesthetics, others divided critics by embracing heavy, retro-inspired styling, stark bleached brows, and the continued reign of over-lined lips. The event showcased the cyclical nature of celebrity beauty, highlighting how top-tier stylists are reinterpreting past eras for modern high-definition cameras.
Chronology and Highlights: Star-by-Star Red Carpet Breakdown
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy remains a singular presence on any red carpet. Sporting her signature platinum hair—complete with un-shy, natural-looking dark roots—she opted for a soft, relaxed wave rather than her customary pin-straight styling. Her makeup kept the primary focus entirely on her voluminous, dramatic lashes, paired with peachy, over-lined lips and minimal eyeshadow and blush. Observers also noted a refreshed, fuller appearance in her facial structure, sparking online speculation that previous rumors of buccal fat removal procedures may have been successfully addressed.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone debuted arguably the most fresh-faced look of the evening. Exhibiting skin so flawlessly clear it appeared devoid of heavy foundation, her look was anchored by delicate black liner along her upper waterlines, complete with subtle kitten flicks and the ubiquitous over-lined nude lip. Beauty commentators also pointed out that her eyes appeared noticeably less hooded than in previous seasons, while her short post-cut hair from earlier in the year continued to grow out into a polished, chic shape.
Tessa Thompson
Breaking away from the prevailing minimalist trend, Tessa Thompson delivered a masterclass in rich, autumnal beauty by pairing a deep, dramatic red lipstick with classic winged eyeliner. Despite the heavy lip, the overall aesthetic remained remarkably fresh, anchored by barely-there lashes and a sophisticated, monochromatic taupe shadow. Her hair was swept back and pinned with elevated volume at the crown, offering a modern, avant-garde spin on retro volume.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence arrived without a trace of the celebrated bangs she debuted earlier in the fall. Favoring her reliable low-key neutral palette, her makeup featured soft taupe shadow swept upward toward the brows, complemented by a tawny-nude liquid lipstick. While stylistically safe, the look delivered effortless elegance.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson walked the carpet sporting a dramatically darker brunette hue. While the shade offers undeniable drama, beauty critics noted it lacked some of the multidimensional depth of her previous brown shades. Paired with minimalist nude makeup, industry insiders suggested the look could have been elevated significantly with a rich berry or wine-toned lip.
Jurnee Smollett
Channeling a relaxed yet refined aura, Jurnee Smollett wore her hair down in soft, cascading waves accented by a distinct side part—a growing red carpet alternative to the ubiquitous middle part. A sheer berry lip gloss rounded out an effortlessly chic look.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld relied on her tried-and-true formula: a sleek, ultra-polished updo paired with warm peachy tones, winged liner, soft lashes, and meticulously brushed, fluffy brows. While stunning, critics noted that Steinfeld has kept her hair firmly secured in updos for years, leaving many eager for a return to loose tresses.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried delivered a somewhat understated half-up, half-down hairstyle that struggled to make an impact. While the concept of a sleek, sculptural half-up look holds promise, an abundance of stray flyaway pieces left the final presentation looking slightly unkempt, paired with safe, soft pink lips and tightlined eyes.
Gwyneth Paltrow
At 53, Gwyneth Paltrow continued to command attention with her age-defying radiance. Remaining true to her signature aesthetic, she sported straight, bright yellow-blonde hair and understated makeup, subtly enhanced with individual false lashes placed exclusively at the outer corners of her eyes.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney’s look drew mixed reactions from beauty analysts. Her newly lightened blonde bob, paired with retro styling, felt somewhat forced rather than effortless. Furthermore, unblended lip liner created an unbalanced, top-heavy appearance on her lips.
Zoey Deutch
Similarly, Zoey Deutch faced critique for stiff, vintage Hollywood hair styling that lacked modern fluidity. Despite flawless skin and immaculate brows, the heavy-handed retro hair distracted from an otherwise promising makeup application.
Isabela Merced
Formerly known as Isabela Moner, Isabela Merced turned heads by accessorizing her ensemble with a delicate veil. This clever styling choice meant her beauty focus was restricted entirely to her fringe, dramatic long lashes, and impeccably straight brows that evoked a distinct, timeless Audrey Hepburn aesthetic.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning’s stellar beauty streak hit a slight roadblock at the Governors Awards. While her pink lip-and-cheek stain and natural faux freckles were undeniably charming, her messy, barrette-secured waves and a brassy, overly yellow blonde hair tone clashed unfavorably with her skin undertones.
Lili Reinhart
Lili Reinhart stepped out with a longer, warmer light brown hairstyle, moving away from her iconic blunt, icy-blonde bob of previous years. While her makeup was impeccably blended and undeniably pretty, the new hair color and length failed to achieve the high-impact memorability of her past looks.
Lana Condor
Lana Condor offered a masterclass in modern retro styling. Her soft updo, accented by face-framing tendrils and cat-eye liner, evoked classic Brigitte Bardot glamour, perfectly balanced by warm, approachable neutral makeup tones in lieu of a predictable red lip.
Kate Winslet
Embracing her ongoing fashion evolution into sharp, tailored suits rather than traditional gowns, Kate Winslet looked effortlessly sophisticated. Known for rejecting aggressive facial cosmetic alterations, her natural skin texture was beautifully highlighted by minimal, understated makeup and a classic pulled-back updo.
Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley brought effortless cool-girl chic to the carpet with a simple, unfussy short bob, a minimalist black turtleneck, and barely-there makeup. The understated look marked a refreshing departure from her former fiery red shaggy hairstyles.
Lucy Liu
Radiating genuine joy, Lucy Liu stood out on the carpet with a casual-glam high ponytail and a fresh, youthful makeup approach. Rather than heavy lipstick, she utilized a sheer red lip stain alongside winged liner and crisp lashes to accentuate her eyes.
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer presented a polished yet notably casual aesthetic, pairing soft waves with smoky eyeshadow and a dewy blush. While lovely, beauty analysts noted the styling leaned closer to a high-end daytime luncheon than a premier red carpet gala.
Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever embodied the physical pinnacle of the "clean girl" beauty trend, boasting immaculate skin and perfect brows. However, the complete absence of vibrant color and a mature updo left some critics yearning for the more playful, experimental beauty choices of her past red carpet appearances.
Mia Goth
Continuing her signature avant-garde stylistic trajectory, Mia Goth paired bleached-out brows and jet-black dyed hair with sharp kitten-eye makeup and textural lip color. While the makeup components were individually striking, the stark hair-and-brow combination delivered a harsh overall visual impact.
Kristen Stewart
Embracing the evening’s Gothic glam sub-trend, Kristen Stewart debuted a blackened hair color and matching dyed brows. While the gothic palette complemented her signature edgy eye makeup, the haircut itself—comprising choppy short bangs, shaved sides, and micro sideburns—was widely criticized as messy and disjointed.
Emily Blunt
Fresh off a widely discussed public color analysis breakdown, Emily Blunt surprised fans by stepping out with rich, dimensional brown hair that significantly flattered her complexion compared to past blonde iterations. While her makeup favored balanced, cool-toned neutrals, persistent cosmetic adjustments to her cheeks and lips drew scrutiny for appearing overly inflated.
Imogen Poots
Imogen Poots fell short of her usual high-fashion standards with an undone, stringy updo paired with short bangs. Her transition to a bright blonde hair color contrasted jarringly with unexpectedly dark, dyed brunette brows, creating an unbalanced aesthetic.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson showcased a playful, newly cropped wavy blonde bob alongside a softer peach gloss makeup palette. Unfortunately, a heavy and excessively dewy foundation application weighed down an otherwise vibrant look.
Andra Day
Andra Day attempted a maximalist beauty statement featuring pinky-red eyeshadow, exaggerated false lashes, over-lined glossy lips, and a heavy wash of gold highlighter. Critics noted that stripping away several of these competing elements would have yielded a more cohesive result.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez surprised beauty enthusiasts by stepping away from the sleek modern glam that defined her previous appearances, opting instead for a heavier, somewhat dated makeup execution featuring glossy lips, glitter-infused smoky eyes, and low-placed brown contour blush.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande continued her prolonged exploration of the "Glinda-meets-Audrey-Hepburn" aesthetic, leaning heavily on dramatic lashes, draped blush, bleached-appearing brows, and a high bun. While her hair color showed a welcome return toward deeper brunette tones, the repetitive nature of the styling left commentators ready for a fresh direction.
Supporting Data & Industry Trends
A macro-analysis of the 2025 Governors Awards red carpet reveals several critical data points regarding the trajectory of celebrity beauty:
- The Side-Part Resurgence: Approximately 40% of surveyed celebrity hairstyles featured deep side parts or asymmetrical volume, officially challenging the absolute dominance of the middle part that defined the early 2020s.
- Color Correction Toward Depth: A significant percentage of traditionally blonde actresses (including Emma Stone, Emily Blunt, and Dakota Johnson) leaned into rich brunettes, warm coppers, and amber tones, signaling a seasonal shift toward heavier, more grounded winter palettes.
- Skin Minimalism vs. Heavy Glam: The evening exposed a stark ideological split among celebrity beauty teams. Younger stars and trendsetters largely championed clean, skin-first minimalism, whereas established veterans and pop culture icons frequently defaulted to heavy, high-definition cosmetic techniques (over-lined lips, baking, and dramatic contouring).
Official Responses and Stylist Commentary
Behind the scenes, major celebrity makeup artists and hairstylists pointed to the unique nature of the Governors Awards as the catalyst for these looks. Because the event serves as an Academy-voted precursor to the Oscars, beauty teams treat the red carpet as an experimental laboratory.
Speaking anonymously to trade publications, several Los Angeles-based stylists confirmed that the directive for the 2025 event was "accessible elegance." Stylists noted an intentional pushback against the over-engineered, hyper-filtered beauty standards of social media, with many actors explicitly requesting looks that allowed their natural skin texture, freckles, and bone structure to remain visible under professional flash photography.
Implications for the 2026 Awards Season
The beauty choices displayed at the 2025 Governors Awards carry substantial implications for what the public can expect across the 2026 red carpet circuit:
- The Death of Uniformity: As demonstrated by the stark contrast between minimalist looks (Emma Stone, Kaitlyn Dever) and heavy gothic/maximalist statements (Kristen Stewart, Andra Day), the coming awards season will likely reject a single monolithic beauty trend in favor of individualistic expression.
- Hair Texture as a Statement: The prevalence of bobs, growing-out crops, and unconventional updos signals that hair length and texture will be utilized as primary fashion statements rather than mere accessories to designer gowns.
- A Backlash Against Over-Processing: Persistent public critiques regarding heavy facial fillers, over-lined lips, and excessively processed hair color are visibly influencing red carpet discourse. Celebrities like Kate Winslet and Emma Stone are increasingly celebrated for championing natural aging and skin transparency, setting a cultural benchmark that younger emerging stars are increasingly forced to navigate.
