The Best 20 Oscars Beauty Looks Of All Time – Vote For Your Fave

Celebrity

oscars beauty looks

If there’s one occasion where you dial up the glam, it’s the Oscars. It’s the most highly anticipated night in Hollywood, where all the A-Listers flock together in hope of winning the most coveted award in the movie industry.

Alongside the incredible acting comes the glitz and glamour, and those iconic red carpet moments where the gowns and beauty looks take center stage. Ahead of the big night, we thought we’d take a look back at some of the best beauty looks of all time, and let you vote for your fave look!

1. Elizabeth Taylor, 1948

Oscars beauty looks Source: Courtesy of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

When someone says ‘old Hollywood glamour’ it’s hard not to think of Elizabeth Taylor. It’s also hard to believe that she was just 16 when she attended the Oscars… Talk about a sweet sixteen! These iconic curls and her striking natural beauty take center stage!

2. Audrey Hepburn, 1954

Oscars beauty looks Source: Ralph Morse/Getty Images

Everything about this look is iconic. The cat-eye, the strong brow, and the deep lip, which work together to accentuate Audrey’s feminine features for a bold look. It’s a timeless combination for any occasion. 

3. Cher, 1986

Oscars beauty looks Source: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

While the headpiece isn’t what we’d describe as wearable, the makeup look definitely is. In fact, it’s seriously on-trend and we love the understated glamour of it.

Get her look: Using the Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Palette, $67, apply the shade Libra all over the lid using a large fluffy brush. Next, add a little shimmer using the shade Ultra Violet, then take a flat angled brush like the M160 1/16 Morphe Angle Liner Brush, $3, and trace along the upper lash line with the shade Hot Mess. Finish with lashings of mascara and a touch of rosey lip gloss.

4. Cindy Crawford, 1991

Oscars beauty looks Source: Ron Galella/ Getty Images

It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with the 90s supermodel era, and Cindy Crawford was the queen of the 90s. The big blown-out curls, sexy brown-toned lip and soft brows are so beautiful.

Get her look: This is another look that you can recreate easily with the right lip liner and makeup technique. Watch this tutorial to get the 90s look.

5. Madonna, 1991

oscars beauty looks Source: Ron Galella/ Getty Images

This was one of Madonna’s most memorable looks; dripping in diamonds, blonde bombshell curls, and a red lip, radiating Marilyn Monroe vibes.

6. Winona Ryder, 1996

Oscars beauty looks Source: Jim Smeal/Getty Images

The combination of Winona’s minimal makeup, sleek finger waves, and diamond earrings is effortless yet ultra-glamorous. The classic 20s finger waves transform her pixie cut into a sleek, red carpet updo. Her simple mascara, glow-y skin, and glossy lip are also SO on-trend right now.

In fact, when we spoke to one of Hollywood’s most in-demand hairstylists, Justine Marjan, she told us finger waves are making a major comeback in 2020.

Get her look: Justine says, “I love seeing a modern twist to the classic finger wave. Style with gel on wet hair then let air dry or diffuse for the sleekest results. Comb all the hair straight down, then create the shape with a comb and your fingers. If they’re too much work, create the wave pattern just around the face.”

7. Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999

Oscars beauty looks Source: Steve Granitz/Getty Images

If you’re currently binge-watching Goop Labs like us, chances are you’ll have fallen in love with Gwyneth all over again! Our favorite thing about this look is the clean slicked back bun – it’s so modern (despite that fact it was back in the 90s) demonstrating the key beauty theme for the Oscars truly is timeless glamour.

8. Halle Berry, 2002

Oscars beauty looks Source: Frank Trapper/Getty Images

When Halle Berry won her Oscar in 2002 for her performance in Monster’s Ball, she became the first woman of color to win the category for best actress. When she went up to collect the prestigious award, she looked every inch the true Hollywood starlet… The flawless skin, the soft bronzed eye, the glossy lip, and her cute pixie crop.

9. Beyoncé, 2009 

Oscars beauty looksSource: Dan MacMedan/Getty Images 

Beyonce nailed this clean beauty look, just as you’d expect. The classic cat-eye teamed with a simple gloss and slicked-back hairstyle allows her flawless skin, and her radiant glow to take center stage. 

10. Angelina Jolie, 2012

Oscars beauty looks Source: Dan MacMedan/Getty Images

This was one of the most viral red carpet moments in history. When Angelina stepped onto the red carpet in that strapless black dress and thigh-high split (with that leg), paired with a soft smokey eye and a fierce red lip, the world gave a virtual round of applause.

11. Jennifer Lawrence, 2014

Oscars beauty looks Source: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Another Oscar-winning look: The soft pink lip, natural skin, and grey matte eye work together to create a delicate, feminine look. However, it wasn’t Jen’s beauty look that ended up in the tabloids the next day… When Jennifer went to collect her award in an exquisite pastel pink Dior Gown, she stumbled on the stairs – quite elegantly, we thought!

12. Lupita Nyong’o, 2014

Oscars beauty looks Source: Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images

When Lupita broke onto the scene in 2014, she made the best-dressed list at every award show. But it was her Oscar’s look, and later her Oscars win, that will be remembered forever. In true Lupita style, she served up a harmonious makeup look with cool-toned eyeshadow to match her pale blue dress, teamed with a pink lip to complement her rosy blush. Take note: a cohesive look never fails.

13. Angelina Jolie, 2014

Oscars beauty looks Source: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Angelina makes our list twice because this look is flawless. Angie’s re-worked, signature smokey eye with a warm gold shimmer makes her green eyes pop, while her soft, bouncy hairstyle lets her sultry makeup take center stage.

14. Zendaya, 2015

Oscars beauty looks Source: Steve Granitz/Getty Images

In our eyes, Zendaya can do no wrong. Our fave thing about Zendaya is that she’s constantly experimenting with different looks from neon liner to glitter tears and of course, these stunning faux locs. She’s a true red carpet chameleon.

However, the look itself sparked controversy when fashion reporter Guliana Rancic said Zendaya’s hair made her “feel like she smells like patchouli,” adding, “Or weed.” Zendaya took to Twitter herself to respond to Guliana’s tone-deaf comment, noting that “there’s a fine line between funny and disrespectful,” and that there’s already enough “harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people.” “To me,” Zendaya said, “Locs are a symbol of strength and beauty, almost like a lion’s mane.” We couldn’t agree more.

15. Margot Robbie, 2015

oscars beauty looks Source: Steve Granitz/ Getty Images

Brushed-up brows are a major trend right now, and we’re drooling over this red carpet look. Her simple red lip and softly lined eyes are an ode to the blonde bombshell era and we’re loving it.

Get her look: To achieve Margot’s beautiful, brushed-up brow look check out brow lamination, a semi-permanent brow treatment that reworks and tints your natural brow hairs to create a fuller, fluffier shape.

16. Emma Stone, 2017

oscars beauty looks Source: Steve Granitz/Getty Images

This look is the epitome of classic glamour and it’s executed to perfection –  literally, not a hair is out of place! Emma is also serving up an important eyeshadow rule: if you have hooded eyes, blend your shadow upwards towards your brow bone to create the illusion of larger eyes.

17. Danai Gurira, 2018

oscars beauty looks Source: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Danai kicked some serious butt in Black Panther, and she brought that badass energy to the red carpet with a close-crop cut and white metallic detailing. Worked with a deep berry lip and matching blush shade, this look is straight fire.

18. Taraji P Henson, 2018

oscars beauty looks Source: /Getty Images

Taraji’s makeup look demonstrates how important makeup harmony is, aka when you use the same hue or color family for your eyes, cheeks, and lip. We love her bold purple lip color, paired with a lilac eye.

Get her look: Taraji’s MUA used Glossier’s Lidstar in the shade Fawn, $18, on her eyes. Get her berry lip with the Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in shade Showgirl.

19. Jennifer Lopez, 2019

oscars beauty looks Source: Dan MacMedan/Getty Images

No one does sultry like J.Lo, and this eyeshadow look is everything. The contrast between the matte brown and golden shimmer makes her brown eyes sparkle. We also love the contrast between her matte skin and glossy nude lip – MUA Scott Barnes knows exactly what he’s doing. For his top makeup tips, read all his makeup tips and tricks here.

20. Lady Gaga, 2019

Oscars beauty looks Source: Rick Rowell /Getty Images

Can we all take a minute to appreciate Lady Gaga’s updo? The curled fringe frames her face elegantly, allowing her natural beauty to shine through. Her cool-toned eyeshadow accentuates her hazel eyes, while the soft pink blush gives her a youthful and timeless glow. The look is beautiful in its simplicity, complementing her contemporary updo and show-stopping diamonds.