The Academy Awards are undoubtedly the biggest, glitziest ceremony of the awards season, but being in the spotlight and under heightened scrutiny means that more often than not, the beauty looks lean into the realm of classical; the tried and true if you will.
For mere mortals like us that’s actually great news: it means that the stunning looks can be easily incorporated into your own beauty roster, without the help of a full glam team.
To prove our point – behold five celebrity approved, civilian friendly looks that made a statement on the red carpet.
SIDE PARTS
Millennials rejoice! If you thought the centre part still had the beauty industry in a death grip, take note. Multiple stars flipped the trend on its head, showcasing the impact this simple and versatile separating line can provide.
While Zendaya broke up her bouncy pin-curled bob with a deep, clean side part, Jennifer Lawrence’s long nonchalantly waved locks were given a subtle edge with just a flip of her front lengths. America Ferrera’s cropped cut, which had its ends delicately bended into shape with the ghd chronos styler, $500, showed effortless movement from root to tip thanks to a soft comb over.
PEACHY KEEN
Forget the gold of the statues, or the red of the carpet: peachy hues were actually awash all over the Oscars.
Hailee Steinfeld thinks peach is so nice she used it thrice, utilising warm shades on her lips, cheeks and eyelids to complement her hazel eyes and brunette hair.
Barbie star Margot Robbie eschewed the power of pink in favour of a softer, more neutral glam look, softly sweeping Chanel’s Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Jersey, $102, over her cheeks for a tickle of silky, diffused colour.
Princess Peach herself Anya Taylor Joy stayed true to character in a sculpted look created by makeup artist Georgie Eisdell using only Dior Beauty products.
VA VA VOLUME
We often equate voluminous hair with long lengths, but short tresses needn’t miss out. Standout volume was also the name of the game with Florence Pugh’s punky twist on beachy blonde waves, which did double duty also incorporating a fierce side part.
Two of the night’s big winners reached new heights with their tresses too.
Billie Eilish's bouncy, voluminous blowout proves once and for all that the ultimate compliment really is, ‘your hair looks so healthy!’.
Emma Stone’s feminine curls looked glossy and effortlessly backswept, tucked neatly behind her ears. Prepped with a volumising spray and tonged to the nape of her neck by hairstylist Mara Roszak using a ghd curve soft curl tong, $225, this easy wearing look stood up to a long night of celebrations.
SPARKLE
This being the Oscars, there was still plenty of razzle dazzle on display. Though no one sparkled quite like Lupita Nyong’o, literally. Nyongo’s all over glimmer was created by her makeup artist Nick Barose who layered Ashunta Sheriff Unicorn Multichrome Glitter Shadow over Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid, $109, for this high wattage look.
Silver not your tone? You could get a smaller, just as luxe, dose of speckled shimmer with Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Oud Satin Mood Shimmering Oil, $384.
If this is a bit full throttled for your day-to-day roster, consider instead levelling up your routine by making sure the canvas you start with is luminous. Begin with Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Day Crème, $130, or Charlotte Tilbury’s aptly named Hollywood Flawless Filter, $94, and you’ll get off on the right (glowy) foot.
SLICK BUNS
If in doubt, straighten your hair and slick it back in a bun. Gabrielle Union Wade’s taut ballerina bun stood to attention at the crown of her head. Greta Lee donned a chic wet-look version that let her diffused rosy lips and dewy skin be the star of the show and Charlize Theron knew all eyes would be on her statement earrings, meaning a sleek centre parted bun secured at the nap of her neck was the best option to not pull focus.
