Stunning 2026 Oscars Red Carpet Beauty Looks

The Academy Awards never fail to inspire with their array of sophisticated beauty styles, making us yearn for more occasions to dress up like glamorous adults at a formal event. The red carpet at the Oscars delivers an abundance of refined hair, makeup, and nail inspirations that are perfect for ada

The Academy Awards never fail to inspire with their array of sophisticated beauty styles, making us yearn for more occasions to dress up like glamorous adults at a formal event. The red carpet at the Oscars delivers an abundance of refined hair, makeup, and nail inspirations that are perfect for adapting into daily routines. There's no need to save these trends for special celebrations alone—why not channel a celebrity's hairstyle for a routine work gathering or replicate striking nails during your next visit to the salon?

Emma Stone

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Emma Stone's radiant platinum gown from Louis Vuitton was perfectly complemented by her equally sparkling eye shadow that matched its sheen. Her eyes stood out prominently, enhanced by voluminous lashes, making them the undeniable highlight of her overall makeup. We must also commend the soft peachy-pink tones on her lips and cheeks that added a warm, flattering glow. It appears her signature side-parted bob is evolving into a longer lob style, with the ends flipping gracefully beyond the typical chin length. Hairstylist Mara Roszak skillfully employed the ghd Chronos Curve Grand Iron to introduce gentle bends throughout the hair. She then applied a modest amount of Röz Evergreen Styling Cream to the ends, which helped refine the silhouette and provided a subtle, defined texture without stiffness.

Teyana Taylor

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Teyana Taylor has firmly established herself as the unrivaled master of bold graphic eyeliner this awards season, regardless of the night's outcomes. Her distinctive style features dramatically extended inner corners paired with sharply winged outer edges, a look we've come to adore repeatedly. Makeup artist Yeika Glow detailed the process: she first outlined the eyes using Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Noir Black for precise definition. Next, she layered Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Spices to build dimension, contour, and a gentle softness, all while preserving Taylor's inherent natural beauty. For her iconic pixie cut, hairstylist Nikki Nelms refined the shape with the Dyson Supersonic r Professional Hair Dryer and sealed it with a dual application of hairspray—OGX Flexible Hold Hairspray followed by Strong Hold Hairspray—for lasting hold and polish. Embracing her passion for intricate nail designs, Taylor opted for a more understated yet elegant icy white manicure that harmonized beautifully with the feathery details of her gown. Nail artist Sarah Chue achieved this using Aprés Gel Couleur in Baby’s Breath as the base, topped with Celestial for an ethereal shimmer.

Elle Fanning

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Elle Fanning brought a rare and enchanting vibe to the Oscars by pairing a regal princess gown with a barely-there makeup approach, executed with pure delight. The minimal mascara—perhaps just a whisper—combined with a subtle lip shimmer and a delicate veil of pink blush on her cheeks created an effortlessly fresh appearance. Makeup artist Erin Ayanian Monroe intentionally allowed Fanning's natural skin texture to shine through, complete with her charming freckles. Esthetician Louise Deschamps prepared her complexion using the Pure Daily Care NuDerma High Frequency Wand to ensure it was primed for this significant professional milestone. Her hairstyle evoked timeless Grace Kelly elegance, featuring a low chignon crafted by Jenda Alcorn. Alcorn explained her technique: after achieving a sleek foundation, she gathered the hair low at the neck's nape and molded it into a traditional chignon, pinning it securely yet softly for balanced form. The finishing touch was a light mist of L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Unscented Hairspray, which set the style firmly while maintaining a soft, touchable quality.

Rose Byrne

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Rose Byrne, nominated for Best Actress, embodied classic beauty in every sense during her appearance. Hairstylist Harry Josh created a straightforward yet sophisticated updo, featuring a low bun secured with Kerasilk Texturizing Finishing Spray for texture and hold. This was paired with an enduring makeup palette where Dior Rouge Dior in #846 Concorde Velvet Finish served as the starring red lip. Supporting it were subtle gray tones from Diorshow 5 Couleurs in #073 Pied-de-Poule on the eyes, along with a soft rosy blush on the cheeks, resulting in a harmonious and timeless finish.

Wunmi Mosaku

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Wunmi Mosaku captivated everyone in her custom sparkling teal Louis Vuitton gown, elevated further by a striking sculptural hairstyle from Araxi Lindsey. Drawing inspiration from coral reef formations, Lindsey sectioned Mosaku's hair into braids using SheaMoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Stretch Multi-Tasking Volume Cream, then wrapped them with Afro-textured 4C hair extensions. Once shaped, she applied SheaMoisture Smooth & Shine Lightweight Hair Oil for enhanced definition and a brilliant sheen. For nails, one of the evening's few darker choices—a deep mahogany from Aprés Blood Moon—was masterfully applied by Sarah Chue, adding a luxurious contrast to the overall ensemble. The radiant glow on her skin stemmed from esthetician Joanna Czech's expert pre-event skincare regimen.

Nicole Kidman

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Nicole Kidman's hairstyle exemplified effortless, voluminous waves that seemed to defy gravity, creating a lifted, airy effect. Hairstylist Adir Abergel began at the roots with Virtue Volumizing Primer for foundational lift. After drying, he brushed through with a Denman Head Hugger Brush to craft a tousled blowout. Extensions like Bellami 18-inch Silk-Seam Clip-Ins in Dirty Blonde and Golden Hour Blonde, plus 18-inch Tape-Ins in Golden Amber Blonde, added length and fullness. Subtle waves were introduced using the WavyTalk Cool Curl Pencil, resulting in natural, bouncy movement.

Chase Infiniti

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Chase Infiniti from One Battle After Another appeared as a dreamy pastel figure in her lilac gown, mirrored by a shimmering pale purple shadow on her eyelids. Makeup artist Amber Dreadon prepped the skin with Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, then added glossy pink lips and cheeks for a vibrant, dewy freshness. Her exceptionally long hair, adorned with delicate braids and flowing ends, evoked a romantic mermaid aesthetic. Hairstylist Coree Moreno applied Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Light Work Sculpting Crème along the braids and hairline to tame flyaways and provide lightweight sculpting. She lightly smoothed the Arachne SmoothBoost Brush over the final style. Moreno aimed for braids that felt structured and purposeful, contrasted by soft, fluid lengths that balanced precision with natural flow, allowing beautiful movement.

Audrey Nuna

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

Audrey Nuna from Kpop Demon Hunters elevated nail art to sculptural heights with golden nails featuring metallic balls positioned above and below each tip, stealing the spotlight. Her makeup was among her softest yet, incorporating gentle mauve shades on lips and cheeks, with wispy hairline strands softly framing her luminous skin for an ethereal touch.

Misty Copeland

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Misty Copeland, returning briefly from retirement for a stunning ballet performance honoring Sinners' music, arrived on the red carpet with impeccably fresh-faced makeup. Artist Mali Boykin applied Merit Flush Balm in Stockholm for a sheer, translucent blush, paired with Merit Signature Lip Blush in Andie—a soft baby pink with matte finish—for wearability. Her glowing skin was fully showcased via a sleek ballerina bun, one of three hairstyles she sported that evening.

Charithra Chandran

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Bridgerton sensation Charithra Chandran's updo masterfully blended formality with casual ease through precise sleekness and relaxed elements. A flawless center part swept back into an elegant knot, with loose ends at the neck adding a laid-back feel. Her impeccable skin, prepared by Joanna Czech using the Swiss Perfection collection, provided a perfect base for makeup in rich honey and brown tones that enhanced her features beautifully.