The 98th annual Academy Awards Ceremony took place recently at the Dolby Theater in downtown Los Angeles, marking the end of awards season with Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. It’s a night that has become as much about fashion and beauty as it is about film, and this year’s red carpet brought strapless gowns, feather embellishments, floral accents and classic black and white as the top fashion trends of the evening.
Modern glamour with fresh luminous skin, soft diffused lips, pastel tones, nostalgic Old Hollywood waves, sleek pixies and sophisticated polished updos also dominated the red carpet.
A cool-toned pink lip combining satin or glossy textures with a slightly blurred edge for a soft, romantic finish.
Stars matched eyeshadow, blush and lip colors to the tone of their gowns: lavender with purple, rose with pink, bronze with gold.
Heavy contour took a back seat this year. Artists focused on skin prep and subtle highlighting to create a dreamy luminous glow.
Classic 1940s-inspired soft, brushed-out curls returned in full force, paired with modern textures and center parts.
Other defining elements of this year’s red carpet beauty:
If the 2026 Oscars proved anything, it’s that beauty is moving toward effortless sophistication. Stars embraced softer skin, romantic colors and hair that felt polished yet natural. Ahead, a closer look at 9 of the most memorable beauty looks from the night, plus the products used to achieve them.
Kate Hudson
Kate wore a custom jade-green Armani Privé bustier gown adorned with sparkling crystals. Her dreamy, rosy glow and soft pink smile were created by makeup artist Tonya Brewer using Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics. Her modern Old Hollywood, side-parted waves were styled by Renato Campora using GHD and Joico products.
Chase Infinity
For her feature film debut, Chase walked the carpet in a custom lavender Louis Vuitton silk dress. Hairstylist Coree Moreno created her “architectural yet fluid,” hip-grazing, boho knotless braids using Briogeo products. Makeup artist Amber Dreadon prepped her skin with the NuFace Trinity+ to lift, tone and contour before applying Louis Vuitton Beauty, including a lilac shadow that matched her dress and made her hazel eyes pop.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole never looked better in a custom powder-pink Chanel couture gown featuring a strapless bustier bodice and feathery accents. Her glowing soft peach-toned glam with subtle smoky eyes and neutral pink lips was designed by makeup artist Gucci Westman using Clé de Peau Beauté. Her middle-parted voluminous blowout with cascading layers was done by Adir Abergel with Virtue Labs haircare.
Demi Moore
Demi stunned in a dramatic, custom strapless Gucci gown covered in black and iridescent green feathers. The eternally youthful actress sported a glowing complexion with soft-focused lips thanks to makeup artist Raoul Alejandre and Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics. Her polished, center-parted, sleek glossy blowout was styled by Dimitris Giannetos using Kérastase.
Zendaya
Though she didn’t walk the red carpet, Zendaya still turned heads in a chocolate brown Louis Vuitton gown with a one-shoulder neckline, high slit and side cutouts. Her polished and sleek “bixie” (bob-pixie hybrid) was deep side-parted and tucked behind her ears, styled by Ursula Stephen using Moroccanoil and GHD tools. Makeup artist Ernesto Casillas used Prada Beauty for her monochromatic, bronzy brown glam to complement her dress.
Rose Byrne
First-time nominee Rose Byrne was elegant in a black, strapless Christian Dior fishtail gown with three-dimensional floral embroidery. Her Old Hollywood glam featured a bold red lip and cool-toned gray eyeshadow applied by Hung Vanngo with Christian Dior Beauty. Harry Josh styled her classic, polished low twisted bun inspired by Grace Kelly using products from Kerasilk.
Jessie Buckley
Another Grace Kelly inspiration was the custom Chanel gown worn by the Best Actress winner, featuring an off-the-shoulder red satin stole and pink chiffon skirt. Her makeup, by Nina Park, focused on a lived-in red lip and glowing skin with Chanel Beauty. Bryce Scarlett styled her modern, sleek, side-parted pixie with Nexxus and Olaplex, finishing with No. 3 Hair Perfector for shine.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe shined in a black Saint Laurent gown with a sheer lace corset bodice, spaghetti straps and a long silk satin skirt. Makeup artist Vera Steimberg applied her sultry, elegant glam with Lancôme. Her modern, relaxed low bun with a clean center part was styled by Aviva Perea and designed to highlight the open back of her dress.
Elle Fanning
Another first-time nominee, Elle looked like a modern-day fairytale princess in a strapless white Givenchy ball gown with a structured bodice and silver floral embroidery. In yet another nod to Grace Kelly, hairstylist Jenda Alcorn created her elegant low chignon using L’Oréal Paris. Her fresh-faced glam, which let her freckles shine through, was created by Erin Ayanian Monroe with L’Oréal Paris makeup.
If the 2026 Oscars proved anything, it’s that beauty is moving toward effortless sophistication. Stars embraced softer skin, romantic colors and hair that felt polished yet natural. True red-carpet beauty isn’t about looking overly “done.” It’s about looking like the most radiant version of yourself.
