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Soft Glam and Sophistication: Best Beauty at the Oscars 2026

At the 98th Oscars, beauty favored understated elegance—soft pops of color and gentle smokiness highlighted Hollywood’s brightest, complementing the drama of their gowns.

By Moira Del Rosario March 16, 2026

While the gowns brought the drama, the beauty direction at the 98th Oscars embraced a more intentional restraint. From radiant complexions to soft-focus eyes, here are the looks that defined the night.

Anne Hathaway

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and Anne Hathaway just gave us the view of the century. She balanced the smoked eyes’ intensity with a soft, flushed cheek and a high-shine glossy lip. It was almost siren-like made sophisticated for the Academy.

Teyana Taylor

Teyana brought the edge with a razor-sharp graphic liner, framed perfectly by structured brows. The standout? Her ’90s-inspired ombré lip—a seamless transition from deep brown liner to a high-shine pink center that tied the whole “Modern Glam” look together.

Zendaya

Zendaya leaned into a warm, chocolate-hued palette to complement her Louis Vuitton gown. With a tawny brown eye and a red-brown pout, she displayed monochromatic magic on the Oscar stage.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone glowed in a “skin-first” look—undone yet polished. With just a hint of a natural flush and a plush pink lip, her beauty was framed by perfectly feathered brows and a light touch of mascara. Simple, natural, and utterly elegant.

Elle Fanning

Elle Fanning was the definition of “Clean Girl” beauty: a slick bun, groomed brows, and a signature swipe of terracotta on the lips. A light hand on the blush allowed her delicate freckles to take center stage, proving that sometimes, less is significantly more.

McKenna Grace

The young McKenna Grace made a romantic statement in pink. While her gown provided the color, the beat provided the sophistication—specifically that shimmering eye against velvet-matte skin. Her romantic updo kept the look youthful yet red-carpet-ready.

Chase Infiniti

Matching the lavender of her gown, Chase Infiniti opted for a soft wash of color across the lids. Paired with glossy pink lips and a warm, sun-kissed blush, the look felt fresh, youthful, and effortlessly chic.

Audrey Nuna

Known for pushing boundaries, Audrey Nuna took a more pared-back approach for the Oscars. With radiant skin, a trend-forward lower blush placement, and dark nude lips, it was a restrained take on high-fashion glam that felt incredibly current.

Rose Bryne

Sculpted, bronzed, and finished with a classic red lip—Rose Byrne was the epitome of grace. By keeping her hair in a clean, tight bun, she gave the spotlight to her makeup, and the bold red lip didn’t disappoint.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra was aglow with shimmering eyelids that caught the light beautifully against her white gown. Warm bronzed tones defined the perimeter of her face, while a gentle sweep of her hair finished the look with a soft, romantic touch.

Heavy glam has given way to intentional, glowing beauty. At the 98th Oscars, Hollywood’s elite proved that soft-focus makeup and radiant skin are the ultimate power moves—a lesson in elegance for anyone seeking inspiration from the red carpet.

Featured Image and Photos: MTV, ONLY NATURAL DIAMONDS, ERNESTO CASILLAS (via Instagram), EXTRA TV (via X), BVLGARI

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the defining beauty trends at the 2026 Oscars?

The defining beauty trends at the 2026 Oscars centered around understated elegance, featuring soft-focus smoky eyes, glowing skin-first complexions, monochromatic chocolate tones, and bold ’90s ombré lips.

How did celebrities achieve the “Clean Girl” aesthetic on the red carpet?

Celebrities achieved the clean girl aesthetic by pairing sleek hair buns with minimal complexion makeup, feathered brows, gentle terracotta lip shades, and a light hand on the blush.

Who wore the best monochromatic makeup look at the 98th Academy Awards?

Zendaya wore the standout monochromatic makeup look, perfectly coordinating a warm, chocolate-hued eye palette and a rich red-brown pout to complement her custom metallic Louis Vuitton gown.

Why is red carpet makeup shifting toward soft glam and beauty restraint?

Red carpet makeup is shifting toward soft glam because Hollywood elite are prioritizing timeless sophistication over heavy, over-layered makeup, proving radiant skin remains the ultimate modern power move.

What lip colors dominated the celebrity looks at the 2026 Oscars?

High-shine glosses, deep brown liner with pink centers, warm terracotta, dark nudes, and classic statement reds dominated the red carpet, showcasing a diverse yet highly refined color palette.

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

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