The 2026 awards season reached its glittering crescendo with the annual Academy Awards ceremony, delivering a masterclass in cinematic style and red-carpet beauty. While the fashion offered its usual share of architectural gowns and avant-garde couture, the hair and makeup choices provided a fascinating narrative about where the beauty industry stands today.
Moving away from the hyper-sculpted, heavily contoured looks of the early 2020s, this year’s Oscars favored a more nuanced approach. Side parts made a triumphant, long-awaited return, nude lips maintained their stronghold as the ultimate understated luxury, and a distinct shift toward balanced makeup—where eyes, lips, and cheeks share the spotlight equally—dominated the evening.
The Macro Trends: A Return to Classic Proportion
Analyzing the collective beauty choices from Hollywood’s biggest night reveals a deliberate movement toward individual texture and lived-in glamour. Stylists and makeup artists leaned heavily into enhancing natural features rather than masking them.
- The Side-Part Renaissance: After years of ubiquitous center parts, deep side sweeps added instant architectural structure to evening styles, framing faces with a vintage-meets-modern edge.
- Balanced Feature Focus: Rather than choosing between a heavy smokey eye or a bold lip, artists favored harmonious, monochromatic color stories.
- Refined Nudes: Nude and dusty rose lips proved that understatement remains the ultimate sign of confidence on a global stage.
Standout Beauty Moments: Hit and Miss on the Red Carpet
Anne Hathaway
Anticipation is already mounting for The Devil Wears Prada 2, and if Anne Hathaway’s red carpet appearance is any indication, the actress is entering a golden beauty era. Recognizing that her archival-moment dress commanded attention, Hathaway wisely opted for restrained makeup. She wore a soft wash of brown eyeshadow, whisper-light lashes, and a nudey-pink lip. While the half-up hairstyle skewed slightly matronly, it effectively showcased her bone structure and felt remarkably fresh compared to her experimental 2024 awards season looks.
- Key Products: Blush in Second Language and Born From Beauty; Bronzer in Straightforward; Eyeshadow in Wonderful Warm; Eyeliner in Brown and Tie It Together; Lip liner in Perfect the Edge; Lip gloss in Runway Dream.
Jessie Buckley
Bringing a jolt of vibrant energy to the carpet, Jessie Buckley ignored minimalist safety in favor of a striking red-and-pink gown. She echoed this palette through a sheer, balmy red lip rather than a heavy, opaque formula—the ultimate choice for her naturally cool aesthetic. Paired with a slicked-down short haircut, the look was a masterclass in effortless chic, miles away from her fire-engine red hair days at the 2023 Oscars.
- Key Products: Foundation in BD21/BD31; Concealer in BD21; Powder in Medium Light; Bronzer/Blush in Medium Rose Gold; Blush in Jersey and In Love; Eyeshadow in Spices; Eyeliner in Espresso; Mascara in Noir; Lip liner in Rouge Cerise; Lipstick in Daring Red.
Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra remains peerless when it comes to classic old Hollywood glamour. Her hair stole the show, styled in voluminous, loose waves with a deep side part that cascaded gracefully. Because the hair and gown were heavily styled, Chopra sensibly dialed down the makeup to soft peach lips, a matching flush, and whisper-thin winged liner.
- Key Products: Lipstick in Peach Blush.
Rose Byrne
Sleek, sophisticated, and striking, Rose Byrne stepped away from her signature textured, highlighted lob in favor of a clean low bun. The updo placed her flawless skin front and center. The focal point of the look was a precisely overdrawn red lip paired with dramatic black liner and smoky shadow. Because the hair was pulled back with pristine geometry, the heavy makeup avoided looking overdone.
- Key Products: Foundation in 2.5W; Concealer in 2N; Powder in Fair; Blush in Rosewood and Toffee; Bronzer in Soft Fair and Medium Matte; Contour in Light; Luminizer in Gold Halo; Eyeshadow in Pied-de-Poule; Eyeliner in Matte Black; Mascara in Overblack; Brow pencil in Brown; Brow gel in Universal; Lip liner in 999; Lipstick in Concorde.
Emma Stone
As a consistent red-carpet favorite, Emma Stone surprised critics this season. Following a recent change in makeup artists, Stone debuted a noticeable shift toward overdrawn lips and darker, arched brows. While undeniably striking, the aesthetic felt starkly different from her signature feathery brows and peachy-pink lips of 2024. Despite polarizing beauty commentary regarding her overall transformation, her wavy red bob remained an undeniable highlight.
- Key Products: Eyeshadow in Beige Memento; Lipstick in Passport to Paris.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow delivered one of the most radiant skin moments of the night. Compared to her appearance at the Governors Awards just months prior, her complexion appeared significantly fresher, complemented by smoother hair featuring an updated, warm honey root color. Though some beauty critics noted the beginnings of an “apple cheek” filler look, her overall glow was undeniable.
- Key Products: Eyeshadow in No. 20; Foundation in Creme; Bronzer in Bois; Lip liner in Faun; Lipstick in Nude 1 (on lips and cheeks); Lip gloss in Tawny.
Demi Moore
Rumors of a permanent pixie cut were officially put to rest: Demi Moore’s recent bob was confirmed to be a clever wig. Her natural long hair appeared thicker and glossier than during the previous awards season. Enhanced by brightening white eyeliner in her lower waterlines and luminous, fresh-faced makeup, Moore looked remarkably youthful.
- Key Products: Foundation in 6C; Concealer in 4.5 and 6.5; Illuminator in 4 Medium; Powder in Medium; Contour in Fair/Medium; Blush in Rosy Glow and Rosewood; Highlighter in Spotlight; Eyeshadow palette; Liquid liner in Panther; Mascara in Exagger-black; Brow pencil in Black Brown; Lip liner in Pillow Talk; Lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium; Lip gloss in Fair/Medium.
Kate Hudson
Channeling modern mermaid elegance, Kate Hudson debuted long, flowing locks, proving her previous bob was purely temporary. Her cool-toned pink blush and strategic highlighting created an ethereal, youthful radiance that commanded attention.
- Key Products: Foundation in 5W; Concealer in 4.5; Contour in Fair; Powder in Fair and Medium; Setting spray; Blush in Rosewood and Rosy Glow; Highlighter in Pillow Talk Original; Eyeshadow in Champagne and Pillow Talk Dreams; Eyeliner in Smokey Bronze; Brow pencil in Natural Brown; Brow gel; Lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium; Lip liner in Iconic Nude and Icon Baby.
Zoe Saldaña
Opting for a silhouette reminiscent of her 2025 Golden Globes appearance, Zoe Saldaña paired an elegant updo and middle part with muted, mauvey makeup. While undeniably polished, beauty purists noted a longing for the bolder graphic eyeliner and vibrant red lips she has sported in past years.
- Key Products: Foundation in 430C; Concealer in 350; Blush in Rose Fresque; Contour in 460; Bronzer in Medium; Eyeshadow palette; Liquid liner in Black; Mascara in Black; Lip liner in Nude Now; Lipstick in Lisa’s Coral Glow; Lip gloss in Magic Spell.
Elle Fanning
Remaining true to her ethereal, princess-ballerina aesthetic, Elle Fanning kept her look light and delicate. Featuring barely-there makeup, micro-kitten flicks, and a flush that mimicked a natural chill, the look was lovely, though familiar territory for the star.
Mikey Madison
Following a standout run during the previous awards season, Mikey Madison proved her staying power. Matching the vampy, structural velvet of her gown, Madison wore long, flowing waves, sharp black eyeliner, and a modern, warmer-toned berry lipstick that masterfully bridged warm and cool color palettes.
- Key Products: Foundation in 1N; Concealer in 0 Neutral; Contour in Light; Bronzer in Soft Fair; Powder in Fair; Blush in Pink and Rosewood; Highlighter in Pink Halo; Eyeshadow in Rose Tulle; Lash primer; Mascara in Overblack; Brow pencil in Dark Brown; Lipstick in Berry Attitude.
Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne brought an unexpected edge to the carpet, debuting a sophisticated, deep smokey eye paired with her natural hair color. Abandoning the avant-garde, wildly colorful beauty experiments of her earlier career, Thorne showcased a mature, high-fashion evolution.
Chase Infiniti
Evoking a youthful, smiling iteration of Zoë Kravitz, Chase Infiniti combined a half-loose, half-braided hairstyle with an edgy attitude. Her brilliant matching eyeshadow pulled her frilly pink dress and beauty look into a cohesive, modern harmony.
Gracie Abrams
Continuing the short-hair momentum of the evening, Gracie Abrams styled her grown-out pixie—a trendy "bixie"—with wispy, delicate texture. Her light-handed makeup approach perfectly suited her features, celebrating fine hair with effortless grace.
- Key Products: Foundation in B20; Concealer in B20; Bronzer/Blush in Medium Rose Gold; Blush in Pink Explosion; Highlighter in Transparent; Eyeshadow in The Space Traveler; Eyeliner in Espresso; Mascara in Noir; Lip liner in Nude Brun; Lipstick in Sensual Rose, Light Rose, and Boy.
Barbie Ferreira
Channeling classic 1990s supermodel glamour, former model Barbie Ferreira wore structured "S" waves. She paired the retro hairstyle with soft, diffused smokey eyes and rose-toned lips, skipping heavy blush to let her natural bone structure lead the look.
Mia Goth
Marking a transition away from the jet-black hair and bleached brows that defined her recent gothic era, Mia Goth returned to a softer brunette shade. Though slightly less visually jarring than her signature look, her stained lips and cheeks—worn deliberately without mascara—maintained her unique, avant-garde appeal.
- Key Products: Foundation in 2N; Concealer in 2 Neutral; Contour in Medium; Blush in Toffee; Bronzer in Light Medium; Highlighter in Nude; Eyeshadow in Rose Tulle; Eyeliner in Matte Black; Brow pencil in Blonde; Lip liner in Beige Tulle; Lipstick in Confident Nude.
Kirsten Dunst
Sticking to her signature dark gown choices, Kirsten Dunst updated her red-carpet formula by swapping her usual opaque red lip for a softer, warm rose hue. Her luminous, healthy complexion served as the true star of her beauty look.
- Key Products: Foundation in 2N; Concealer in 2 Neutral; Contour in Light; Bronzer in Light Fair; Blush in Pink; Eyeshadow in Nude Dress; Eyeliner in Brown; Lash primer; Mascara in Overblack; Brow pencil in Blonde; Brow gel in Universal; Lip liner in Nude Blush; Lipstick in Forever Nude and Berry Attitude.
Felicity Jones
Long celebrated for her legendary cat-eye liner, Felicity Jones offered a surprisingly bare-faced appearance at the 2026 Oscars. While her glowing skin and lighter hair color photographed beautifully, beauty enthusiasts noted a longing for the dramatic graphic eyes of her earlier career highs.
Heidi Klum
Embracing the return of the golden red-carpet tan, supermodel veteran Heidi Klum delivered a festival-adjacent aesthetic. Featuring shaggy, highlighted hair and heavy black eyeliner, the look leaned more toward a music awards show than the Academy Awards, yet her innate model poise sold the style effortlessly.
- Key Products: Foundation; Setting spray; Mascara; Lip liner in Au Naturale; Lipstick in Fairest Nude.
Nicole Kidman
Debuting a layered, voluminous wig structure, Nicole Kidman kept the beauty focus on a vibrant, lifted flush of blush. While the look was undeniably glamorous, beauty fans continue to voice a collective desire for a return to her iconic, natural red curls.
Ginnifer Goodwin
As a long-standing ambassador of the pixie cut, Ginnifer Goodwin experimented with a slicked, gelled-down finish and heavily groomed brows. While the high-shine styling offered a stark geometric frame for her face, it proved to be one of the more divisive hair moments of the night.
Odessa A’Zion
Odessa A’Zion championed natural textured curls on the red carpet, though her jet-black hair color and piecey finish felt at odds with her traditionally soft, warm-toned aesthetic. Paired with pronounced overdrawn lip liner, the look leaned heavily experimental.
Teyana Taylor
Rounding out the evening, Teyana Taylor showcased her phenomenal features within a short, curly pixie cut. However, the combination of sharply angled, diagonal brows and exaggerated feline eyeliner created a harsh symmetry that overshadowed her natural warmth.
Chronology of the Trend Shift
- Early 2024: Ultra-matte skin, heavy baking, and severe contouring dominate early-year ceremonies.
- Late 2024 to 2025: The rise of "skin-first" aesthetics, dewy highlighters, and the normalization of shorter hairstyles (bobs and lobs) across Hollywood.
- Early 2026 (The Oscars): The official codification of balanced makeup, the return of the deep side part, and a distinct departure from uniform trends toward individualized, high-texture statements.
Implications for the Beauty Industry
The beauty choices on display at the 2026 Oscars signal a broader consumer shift away from cookie-cutter glamour. As celebrities increasingly embrace individualized hair textures, softer color balances, and nostalgic nods to the 1990s supermodel era, prestige and mass-market cosmetics brands alike are responding. Expect an immediate surge in demand for multi-use balms, sheer lip formulas that mimic natural blood-flow, and styling products designed to support "bixies," structured side parts, and touchable, lived-in waves.
