10 Of Our Favourite Oscars Beauty Looks Of All Time

With a reputation for being the most prestigious and glamorous awards show of the season, it’s no surprise that the Oscars red carpet always provides us beauty lovers with some of the most elegant inspiration we could ever need.

 Although the pandemic put a halt to the regular programming of the awards show in 2020, when it resumed later in the year, the stars certainly made up for lost time in the beauty department. From old Hollywood glamour and fail-safe glowy looks, to hints of sparkle and statement lips, the Oscars red carpet never disappoints. The Academy Awards may be last on the awards season calendar but certainly it is not the least.

 Looking for beauty inspiration for your next event? Look no further! Here’s a list of our Top 10 favourite Oscars beauty looks over the recent years.

I think it’s safe to say that no ‘Favourites from the Red Carpet’ list would be complete without our girl Zendaya. For the 2021 Oscars, Zendaya and her beauty team pulled off a beautifully natural and effortless look, letting her neon yellow gown speak for itself. Zendaya’s makeup artist, Sheika Daley, used all Lancome products to create a barely there makeup look. The hair? Tying in with the effortless theme, Zendaya showed off stunning lived-in mermaid-like waves.

Is there anything that Zoe Kravitz can’t pull off? According to Vogue, Kravitz paid tribute to a 1955 photo of Audrey Hepburn with this Oscars look. Taking Audrey’s classic beauty look and putting her own modern spin on it, Zoe opts for a chic updo with a statement micro fringe and a subtle soft pink tone on the eyes and lips, no doubt pulled from her stunning pale pink Saint Laurent gown.

If you spent your tween years watching Maddie Ziegler on Dance Moms (guilty), you would be used to Ziegler wowing us with her dancing but now she’s also wowing us on the red carpet!

You’d be forgiven for thinking she was a seasoned professional when it comes to Oscars glam based off this look alone. Can you believe this is her first ever Oscars? Ziegler stuns with a beautifully effortless done-yet-undone updo and a perfectly executed smokey eye, topped off with a nude lip. Ziegler’s classic look was created by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, who is known for her work on the likes of Kendall Jenner and Hayley Bieber, using all Pat McGrath products.

2023 Badgal Riri can do no wrong. Period. Not only was she fresh off the Super Bowl stage, a first-time Oscar nominee, and soon-to-be mum of two—Rihanna turned heads as she made a case for a crisp crimson lip yet again. Punctuated by a strong black cat-eye liner, her signature beauty look was an ode to the structure of her chosen Oscar gown. 

Maria Bakalova’s 2021 Oscars look is the epitome of romance. A classic red lip and soft taupe tones on the eyes is always a winning combination. And can we take a second for the manicure? The perfect pop of sparkle to add to her already fairytale-like aura. Bakalova’s beauty look is finished with a loose tousled updo and statement jewellery.

Making history as the second ever Black woman to win Best Actress—Drama at the Golden Globes, Andra Day brought her history making energy to the Oscars with this beauty look. Gracing the red carpet with her hair in a high bun, falling softly over her face, and subtle makeup, Day knows how to captivate. A wash of gold over the eyes finishes her beauty look to perfection.

Janelle Monae brought the sparkle to her Oscars 2020 look, appearing on the red carpet with a glistening hooded gown. To balance the fashion, Janelle’s beauty look remained somewhat subdued while still making a statement. Fresh skin, a bright red lip and some glitter eyeliner brings together her makeup look. Although slightly overshadowed by the stunning hooded gown, the hair was definitely not forgotten and was kept to a beautifully classic side part.

Of course, we had to include our very own Margot Robbie in our favourite Oscars beauty looks. The hero of this look is the hair–an effortlessly soft fringe with a loose low ponytail. Robbie’s makeup look is kept minimal, with her makeup artist, Pati Dubroff, telling Vogue she chose caramel and golden tones to channel a naturally romantic look.

Vanessa Hudgens’s beauty look at the 2022 Oscars was simply stunning—from her snatched, slick high bun to the cat eye eyeliner. The statement eyeliner extended further than the inner corner to elongate Hudgens’s eyes giving a more dramatic cat eye effect. Finished with a nude lip, I think this beauty look is one of my favourites. Hudgens’s makeup artist, Tony Brewer, brought this look to life using all Pat McGrath products.

Tatiana Gabrielle is another star that nailed her first Oscars appearance. Gabrielle opted for a blonde braided updo and understated makeup with a splash of gold. Winged eyeliner brought a snatched feel to Gabrielle’s makeup look, while a touch of gold on the inner corner of the eye accentuated her glowing appearance. Her skin was kept glowy and a touch of nude gloss on the lips finishes her look flawlessly.

No, you’re not having déjà vu, of course Zendaya had to be included twice. Much like her 2021 Oscars look, Zendaya’s look at the 2022 Oscars is another one for the favourites book. Zendaya wore her hair in a softened updo, elevated by a more glam makeup look. Silver eyeshadow complements the chosen accessories and radiates elegance. The look is balanced with a simple nude lip, ensuring Zendaya’s natural beauty remains at the forefront.

Stand aside for Miss Flo! At the 95th Academy Awards, Florence Pugh served a two-toned punkish faux bang—and we are here for it. Accompanied by a rose-mauve toned lip and eye, makeup artist Alex Basby perfected Pugh’s complexion using a full face of Valentino Beauty.