The Best Beauty Looks at the 2026 Oscars Range from Soft and Delicate to Full Blown Drama

This red carpet has range.

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Well, we've officially made it to the end of a very eventful red carpet season (read: Golden Globes, Grammys, SAGs). There have been dozens of 10 out of 10 beauty looks so far this awards circuit—from gray hair to dreamy frosted nail polish. And let it be known that the 2026 Academy Awards are no exception.

The red carpet is well underway (Marie Claire is live-blogging our unfiltered reactions to the stars' beauty looks, FYI), and trends are already taking shape. I've seen lots of lobs, stunning lip combos (I obviously have the insider breakdown), and the boldest eye makeup that I've seen in a hot minute.

Let it be known that all of these looks have been weeks in the making. So I've made it my mission to get the product breakdowns, tips, and tricks from the incredible pros behind the glam. Scroll ahead to see my favorite looks of the night.

Chase Infiniti

beauty at the oscars

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I know the night is early, but these boho braids and soft pink glam are easily in my top three looks of the night.

Misty Copeland

beauty at the oscars

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A ballerina bun for a ballerina is obviously fitting, but can we take a moment to appreciate that there is not one hair out of place on her head? I suppose she's had plenty of practice perfecting.

Marsai Martin

beauty at the oscars

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I love this lob, but do me a favor and zoom in on her nails. This maroon design is simply too good to miss.

Rose Byrne

beauty at the oscars

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This is the classic Hollywood glam I expect on a red carpet. It's also convincing me to try orange lipstick for probably the first time in my life.

Lea Myren

beauty at the oscars

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The Norwegian actress did not mess around with her glam. This smokey eye (which includes a bit of red shadow) is one for the books.

Ariana Greenblatt

ariana greenblatt oscars

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Bedhead! On the red carpet! The juxtaposition of this deliberately messy hair with a sleek, silky dress is just *chef's kiss.*

Maya Rudolph

beauty at the oscars

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I'll be recreating this eye look for my next night out. All I need is Well People's Fresh Lines Eye Pencil and a great lengthening mascara.

Kristen Wiig

beauty at the oscars

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The perfect finishing touch to this natural, sun-kissed glam? Well People's Tinted Lip Oil.

Zoe Saldana

zoe saldana at the oscars

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The Avatar actress is repeatedly one of my favorite beauty looks on the red carpet, and tonight is no exception. Her look breakdown: skin prep with ZIIP Halo, Augustinus Bade Face Oil, and Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation.

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Samantha Holender
Samantha Holender
Senior Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists.