Awards season has come to a close with the recently held mother of them all, the 95th Annual Academy Awards. The event took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and provided one last red carpet for arriving A-list stars of the silver screen to wow and inspire with their fashion and beauty styles.
For the first time since 1961, the red carpet at the Oscars wasnât red at all. Instead, organizers wanted a calming and serene color similar to a beach at twilight hours.
They chose a champagne, or âsand,â color that would not clash with the orange tent sent up to shield attendees from potential inclement weather. The new color also provided a neutral backdrop for the stars to showcase their designer attire.
From fashion and beauty trends to accessories and jewelry, the 2023 Oscarsâ âchampagneâ carpet did not disappoint. A mix of classic and experimental couture in basic black, winter white, and bold colors (such as pink, purple, and orange) dominated the evening. Rosette embellishments, voluminous sleeves, serpent chokers, and gloves were all popular themes worn by the stars.
The hairstyles on display included everything from classic and sleek or modern and structural updos to free-flowing, natural waves with accessories like ornate headbands and elegant bows to boot. The makeup looks ranged from statement-making red lips and flawless, glowing complexions to smoky eyes and barefaced minimalism.
Letâs review some of the best hair and makeup looks from the 95th Annual Academy Awards champagne carpet.
Jessica Chastain
Last yearâs Oscars winner for Best Actress and presenter Jessica Chastain chose to go with old Hollywood glamour for her look. Makeup artist Kristofer Buckle created the flawless complexion, flirty lashes, and siren lips using Charlotte Tilbury products with her classic red lips in the Matte Revolution Lipstick shade Red Carpet Red. The side-swept Jessica Rabbit waves are complements of Renato Campora using products from Hair Rituel by Sisley-Paris.
Angela Basset
Best Supporting Actress nominee Angela Basset stunned in a purple Jeremy Scott gown paired perfectly with mauve eyeshadow and pink lipstick. Her makeup was done by DâAndre Michael using Chanel, and Randy Stodghill styled the voluminous, side-swept face-framing soft waves with tools from Olivia Garden.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress. She wore an angelic white Dior gown adorned with feathers for her big moment.
Makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani prepped Yeohâs skin using La Merâincluding The Moisturizing Soft Creamâfor a lit-from-within glow. She then kept the veteran actressâs makeup light and ethereal using Dior. Hairstylist Mara Rosak created the cascading waves embellished with a crystal headband using Fekkai hair products and Bio Ionic hot tools, including the Long Barrel Styler.
Halle Berry
Presenter Halle Berry looked absolutely radiant in a white Tamara Ralph halter gown complete with a hip-high slit and shimmering pink rose appliques.
Makeup artist Jorge Monroy created the Oscar winnerâs bronzed glow and soft smoky eyes using Charlotte Tilbury. He prepped her skin with an LED light therapy mask and Magic Cream for a flawless, luminous base. Her asymmetrical pixie was styled into textured finger waves by Sara Seaward with products from Virtue, such as the brandâs Healing Oil.
Cara Delevigne
Presenter and model-turned-actress Cara Delevigne looked red-hot in a dramatic Elie Saab gown with an architectural shoulder rosette. Makeup artist Hung Vango created her soft, coral smoked-out cat-eyes complete with Ardell individual lashes paired with a neutral pink lip color.
SexyHair products were used by Danielle Priano to style her sleek, side-parted chignon, including the Active Recovery Repairing Blow Dry Foam and Spray & Stay Intense Hold Hairspray.
Ana de Armas
Best Actress Oscar nominee Ana de Armas and her glam squad kept her look soft and natural with center-parted, face-framing hair and glittering pink eyes with a neutral glossy lip to reflect the âmorning dewâ look of her Louis Vuitton gown.
Makeup artist Melanie Inglessis used Estee Lauder to achieve the soft glam while stylist Jenny Cho reached for products from Renee Furtererâlike the Style Protection & Anti-frizz Thermal Protecting Spray and T3 hot toolsâfor her hair.
Janelle Monae
Presenter Janelle Monaeâs Vera Wang gown was actually two separate pieces in contrasting colors that really popped on the champagne carpet. A black plunging halter top was paired with a structural, neon orange floor-length skirt.
Makeup artist Keita Moore used NARS Cosmetics to create Monaeâs classic cat eyes, full brows, dewy skin, and glossy nude lips. Hairstylist Nikki Nelms turned to products from Bumble & Bumble, like the Semisumo Pomade, to sculpt, hold, and add shine to three cornrows, each woven with a metallic silver thread accent.
Florence Pugh
Presenter Florence Pugh arrived looking like a punk princess in a voluminous off-the-shoulder champagne Valentino gown with a slit up to her waist that revealed a black body suit underneath. Makeup artist Alex Babsky used Valentino Beauty for the warm rose pink monochromatic look over the actressâs lids, cheeks, and lips.
But it was her hair that really stole the show. Stylist Peter Lux twisted a high ponytail into faux baby bangs that gave modern-day Audrey Hepburn vibes. A black velvet bow provided the finishing touch.
Danai Gurira
Fellow presenter and another star seen sporting a structural updo was Danai Gurira. Hairstylist Larry Sims created the sky-high architectural bun as an homage to the actressâs African heritage. The luminous skin, smoky eyes, and ruby lips were compliments of makeup artist Tym Buacharern.
Jamie Lee Curtis
First-time Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress, Jamie Lee Curtis wore her signature silver pixie with earth-toned smoky eyes paired with glossy lips. Makeup by Grace Ahn for Anastasia Beverly Hills included their best-selling cult-favorite Brow Wiz to complete this look.
Nicole Kidman
Another star to embrace the rosette embellishment trend in a Giorgio Armani black sequin gown was presenter and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman. Her hair was done by stylist Adir Abergel and kept simple in center-parted, long, sleek waves with products from Virtue. Kelsey Deenihan made up her soft smoky eyes using makeup from Sisley-Paris, including the Les Phyto Ombres Long Lasting Radiant Eyeshadow in Mat Coco and Phyto Kohl Star Matte Waterproof Stylo Liner in Matte Tonka.
Rihanna
Best Original Song nominee and mother-to-be Rihanna showcased her baby bump wearing an Alaia leather band dress with pleated cut-outs on the hip over a sheer jersey bodysuit. The singer then changed into an ornate, crystal-embellished bra with black, floral embroidered pants and long black gloves for her performance of âLift Me Upâ from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
For her champagne carpet look, Rihanna wore her hair in a spiky top bun. The makeup was done by Pricilla Ono for Fenty Beauty (RiRiâs own line) with shimmery silver shadow, rosy blush, and a signature red lip. Among the products used were the Pro Filtâr Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Pro Filtâr Instant Retouch Concealer, and Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter.
Lady Gaga
Fellow Best Original Song nominee Lady Gaga walked the carpet in a sheer black Versace corset gown. Makeup artist Sarah Tanno applied her dramatic smoky eye, draped pink blush, and bright red lip makeup using Gagaâs own brand Haus Labs. The look was inspired by Robert Palmerâs â80s music video for âAddicted To Love.â
Hairstylist Frederic Aspiras kept the focus on the face by slicking the singerâs hair back into a French braid using Joico products, including the JoiGel Styling Gel. The superstar then went barefaced, sans makeup, for her emotionally raw performance of âHold My Handâ from Top Gun: Maverick.
While the exact product used backstage to quickly remove Gagaâs glam makeup wasnât revealed, it is speculated that the mystery product is most likely argan oil, which Gaga is partial to for its ability to easily remove and melt heavy, even waterproof makeup. Plus, it’s anti-inflammatory, conditioning, and wonât leave a greasy residue. So, the Oscar for quickest makeup remover goes to⊠argan oil!
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com