Film awards season is an annual highlight and one that, for most movie buffs, culminates with the Oscars. However, for those of us whose film factology comes second to an interest in beauty and fashion, the 97th Academy Awards was all about the red carpet.
From Cynthia Erivo to Zoe Saldana, this year’s awards saw a truly stunning selection of women on Hollywood Boulevard. Ariana Grande came equipped with her usual fluttery lashes, there were 50s-style bobs a la Selena Gomez and Raye, and too many red lips to count.
Naturally, beauty brands like ghd, Charlotte Tilbury and Tom Ford (to name but a few) flock to partner with the annual Oscars nominees, complete with their glam squad of make-up artists, hair stylists and nail technicians – it really does take a village.
Abuzz with anticipation and excitement, the Oscars red carpet is where all our favourite leading ladies bring their beauty A-game, and in 2025, it’s fair to say that the bar was raised yet again. From ethereal makeup and elegant chignons to sparkling nail art, these are all the beauty looks that wowed us this year.
The best beauty looks from Oscars 2025
Mikey Madison

Winged liner is back! Madison, who was took home the best actress award for her role in Anora, let her eyes do the talking with glossy lips and a dramatic sweep of liner across her lids.
Lily Rose Depp

Attending her first Oscars on behalf of Nosferatu, Depp stayed true to the film’s vampiric nature with a kohl waterline and old glamour-style ‘do.
Zoe Saldana

Taking home her first Oscar for her role in Emilia Pérez, Saldana attended the awards with a your-skin-but-better, glowy complexion, thanks to her MUA, Vera Steimberg.
Marissa Bode

Bode, who plays Nessa Rode in Wicked, gave viewers a subtle nod to her character’sinfamous ruby slippers with a dramatic red lip and sequinned ball gown.
Raye

Performing alongside Doja Cat and Lisa in a James Bond tribute act, Raye channeled old Bond girl Pussy Galore with her voluminous, bouncy bob.
Lupita Nyong’o

Pearls were the name of the game for Nyong’o’s 2025 red carpet beauty, with more than 22,000 pearls on her dress and – in a perfect pairing – a metallic eye and lit-from-within complexion. All thanks to MUA, Nick Barose.
Selena Gomez

Gomez was one of many at this year’s Academy Awards to take inspiration from the 1950s, with her hair stylist Renato Campora channeling old Hollywood through the actress’ flicky, side-part bob.
Margaret Qualley

If Oscars was the name, rosey was the game – or so it would seem after a flock of celebs, including Qualley, stepped out onto the red carpet with a posy-flushed lip.
Ariana Grande

Much like Qualley, pink was central to Grande’s look with her make-up artist Michael Anthony using a barely-there rose eyeshadow across the singer-cum-actress’ lids and a dusky blush down her cheekbones.
Elle Fanning

Hammering home the return of the winged liner, Fanning’s heavy lash line was a perfect pair to her Sarah Burton for Givenchy Couture gown, complete with its own bold black bow.
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