Oscars 2016: The Very Best Beauty Looks

oscars best beauty alicia vikander olivia wilde

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Published on

It’s the biggest date in any A-lister’s calendar, so it’s no surprise that Hollywood’s best and brightest brought their beauty ‘A’ game to the red carpet for last night’s Oscars ceremony.

The Academy Awards act as a grand finale to the year’s awards season circuit, so the stars have had plenty of time to hone their red carpet routine. That’s not to say that they played it safe, though. Yes, we saw bronzed eyelids and nude lips a-plenty – a failsafe red carpet look worn to perfection by Emily Blunt, Alicia Vikander and Margot Robbie – but other, more playful (and less predictable) looks also stood out.

Rachel McAdams and reigning Best Actress Brie Larson both matched their dresses to their eye make-up in an oh-so subtle way, with a smudge of coloured liner around the lash line: deep green for the former, cobalt blue for the latter. Brie also stepped things up by choosing a bold fuschia lip colour and a gloriously intricate piece of hair jewellery. Someone give the girl an award! Oh, wait…

In the Best Hair category, both Olivia Wilde and Daisy Ridley deserve a shoutout. Olivia’s laidback Dutch braid - softer and looser than a French plait – is laidback yet totally red carpet – appropriate, while Daisy’s intricate twisted up-do is a glossy nod to the Star Wars universe. And in a sea of peachy nude lips, we’re appreciating her choice of a subtle rosy hue.

See more of our favourite Oscars beauty looks in the gallery below

Gallery

Oscars 2016 Best Beauty

alicia vikander oscars red carpet beauty1 of 10
CREDIT: Rex Features

alicia vikander oscars red carpet beauty

Alicia Vikander can do no wrong on the red carpet, teaming her ridiculously covetable custom Vuitton gowns with a well-honed formula of warm brown eye shadow and barely-there lip colour. Continuing the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ formula of her outfit, her hair was worn half-up, half-down, with the upper layers twisted into a mini bun.

saoirse ronan oscars red carpet beauty2 of 10
CREDIT: Getty Images

saoirse ronan oscars red carpet beauty

Saoirse Ronan’s beachy, laid-back waves and emerald-tinted smoky eye make for one of our favourite looks of the night. A little less polished – and a little bit edgier – than Saoirse’s go-to red carpet face, it’s the perfect counterpoint to her dazzling mermaid Calvin Klein gown.

olivia wilde oscars red carpet beauty3 of 10
CREDIT: Getty Images

olivia wilde oscars red carpet beauty

It's the hairdo that will launch a thousand beauty tutorials - Olivia Wilde stole the show with an artfully 'done-but-not-too-done' Dutch halo braid (they're thicker and less girly than French braids, FYI) twisted up into a bun. A masterclass in modern red carpet beauty.

brie larson oscars red carpet beauty4 of 10
CREDIT: Rex Features

brie larson oscars red carpet beauty

In our book, Room’s Brie Larson deserves another Oscar for managing to make blue eyeliner look both modern and totally wearable. Her secret? Concentrating the colour towards the outer corner of the eyes – and avoiding the lower lash line altogether – to keep the look out of the ‘80s. Bonus points for the fuchsia lipstick.

rachel mcadams oscars red carpet beauty5 of 10
CREDIT: Getty Images

rachel mcadams oscars red carpet beauty

With just a smudge of coloured kohl around her waterline and lashes, Rachel McAdams makes green eyeliner look oh-so easy – and makes a case for matching your dress to your make-up, too.

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CREDIT: Rex Features

jennifer lawrence oscars red carpet beauty

Polished, poker straight hair in the perfect shade of no-brass blonde – we’re taking this flawless shot of Jennifer Lawrence straight to our hairdresser. Her low-key beauty look, complete with subtly smoked-out eyeliner, was the ultimate accompaniment for her statement gown (custom Dior, naturally.)

daisy ridley oscars red carpet beauty7 of 10
CREDIT: Getty Images

daisy ridley oscars red carpet beauty

We’ve got so used to seeing Daisy Ridley in her Star Wars garb that we still do a double take when she gets all scrubbed up for the red carpet. As if her Chanel couture gown didn’t make enough of a statement, her simple but striking up-do (very Rey goes to Hollywood, right?) and pinky-red lip colour announce her as one to watch for awards seasons to come.

margot robbie oscars red carpet beauty8 of 10
CREDIT: Rex Features

margot robbie oscars red carpet beauty

Glowing skin, barely there eye make-up, subtly defined brows and a glossy nude lip – Margot Robbie’s Oscar look is 24 carat beauty brilliance. Red carpet hair can often feel over-wrought, so her laid-back blow dry gets top marks, too.

emily blunt oscars red carpet9 of 10
CREDIT: Getty Images

emily blunt oscars red carpet

Emily Blunt kept her make up simple and classic, choosing warm nude tones which complement her colouring and adding a touch of sparkle on the eyelid. We’re also fans of her side-swept parting and loose waves – a fresh take on Old Hollywood style.

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CREDIT: Getty Images

rooney mara oscars red carpet

Best Supporting Actress nominee Rooney Mara is a true beauty trailblazer. She’s updated her trademark red carpet look - perfect alabaster skin, killer brows and a deep, bold lip colour – with a futuristic, intricately twisted up-do. A nod to Rey from Star Wars? We hope so…

READ MORE: Oscars 2016: The Best Dressed List

READ MORE: Oscars 2016: All The Best Bits From The Ceremony

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