Sure, the Oscars is technically a celebration of film, but there's no denying that it's also Hollywood's Super Bowl of beauty. To wit: What other event has the world glued to their televisions and computers waiting to see every last look? None quite like the Academy Awards.Naturally, the beauty looks never cease to impress — and this year is no exception. Actresses spend weeks (if not months) preparing for a quick walk down the red carpet. Which, as you can expect, makes it the perfect time to bring it. And tonight, they did.
From Saoirse Ronan's beachy hair and smoky eye (a totally new look for her) to Olivia Wilde's braided chignon, the best beauty looks are far from boring. Click through our slideshow to see all the best of the best.
Saoirse Ronan
Chanel celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh gave Ronan a sultry gaze using Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre Longwear Luminous Eyeshadow in Moonlight Pink all along the lashline and on the lid, then added the brand's Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Purple Choc for dimension.
Meanwhile, hairstylist Adir Abergel crafted her imperfect hair look by letting Ronan’s locks air-dry. He then set her hair with Velcro rollers, did some light teasing for volume, then locked in the style with a mist of John Frieda’s Luxurious Volume Forever Full Hairspray. "I wanted to give her an undone, textured blowout with a brushed out beautiful wave, hand-raked back away from the face,” he says.
Kerry Washington
While normally a fan of a bold lip and soft eye, Washington opted for an inky gaze and nude lip that's easy to love — and copy. The trick? Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez tempered the upturned eye with matte skin and just a bit of contour, while hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant gave the actress a chic pony.
Lady Gaga
PSA: monochromatic makeup strikes again! Makeup artist Sarah Tanno used a range of products to create a look rooted in rich, shimmery variations of rose. “I wanted everything to be monochromatic, bold and new, but something that would still feel timeless 10 years from now,” she says.
Olivia Wilde
Leave it to the always-cool Wilde to make a slightly-undone, braided chignon look incredibly modern and chic. The secret to the look? It’s a Dutch braid, not a French plait, which means you see more of the braid.
Priyanka Chopra
The former Bollywood star and current Quantico leading lady sported clean, matte skin, a full lash, and a '90s-esque shade of matte lipstick that we swear could have been from Kylie’s restock. But in realty, makeup artist Stephanie Brooke Barnes used a combination that is actually shoppable: Laura Mercier's Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Cocoa Pout under a coat of Seduction.
Chrissy Teigen
Teigen’s soft and romantic beauty look hit all the marks. That is, glowing skin, soft makeup, and an effortlessly beautiful braid that is sure to make the entire red carpet feel like they tried a little too hard.
Olivia Munn
Munn looks killer in shades of orange — proof that when you find your color, you work it hard. Makeup artist Patrick Ta did just that, giving the actress a dose of the hue on her eyes, cheeks, and lips. Tip: If you want to copy the look just keep your shadow nice and shimmery, which makes the hue easy to wear and apply.
Alicia Vikander
Disney princess hair had a moment tonight, with Vikander leading the trend parade with a look every bit Belle from Beauty And The Beast. While it could have gone oh-so-wrong, her half up baby bun and healthy, flowing length looks just chic and simple enough to work.
Rachel McAdams
Another huge trend on tonight's carpet? Matching makeup.
Rooney Mara
We know what you're thinking: Rey, is that you? Mara arrived looking every bit the futuristic trend-setter she is, with a rad knotted hair look and dramatic, precisely applied makeup, all thanks to hairstylist Adir Abergel and Chanel makeup artist Kate Lee.
Brie Larson
Larson also got in on the matching makeup trend — coordinating her liner and dress — but it was her locks that stole the show...
Since Larson opted for a royal blue gown, hairstylist Mara Roszak "wanted her hair to have a celestial but fresh look." After a smooth blowout, Roszak created waves using a 1-inch iron, and pulled the front sections of Larson's hair back. While it may look like a pin, the adornment is actually fabric, which Roszak secured in place after twisting the hair into the shape you see here. A mist of L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Nutri-Gloss High Shine Glossing Mist finished the look by adding a dose of shine.
Daisy Ridley
Did you really think Ridley would show up in an updo anything less than mesmerizing? Hairstylist Robert Vetica gave the actress a look that could have lived in Star Wars just as easily as it fit in on the red carpet. “Her look is young and cool, and at the same time very modern,” he says. “For the inspiration, I drew from very structural hairstyles, things that were molded organically, with twists and folds…”
Naomi Watts
Need even more proof that when you find your color you work it hard? Watts' signature ruby lip adds instant glamour to her otherwise soft makeup and hair.
Sofia Vergara
Our jaws dropped when we saw Vergara walk down the red carpet. Why? The actress normally wears her hair loose and flowing, but tonight she opted for a tied back, low pony. The moral of the story: Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone, even just a little, is the best way to make a statement.
Margot Robbie
Oscars need not mean formal. Take, for example, Robbie. Instead of a bold lip or eye and sleek updo (which we've seen her rock many times), she opted for a soft wave and barely-there makeup. Makeup artist Tyron Machhausen used Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo to create a dewy complexion and Laura Mercier's Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Sensual for her soft lip look.
Cate Blanchett
A veteran of the red carpet beauty game, Blanchett has it down pat, rocking her signature slightly-smoky eye and flushed cheeks tonight.
Emily Blunt
Blunt was glowing tonight, and it’s not just because she’s expecting. Makeup artist Jenn Streicher gave Blunt a subtle glow on her body with the help of St. Tropez’s One Night Only in Light/Medium and her face with Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Mosaic.
Reese Witherspoon
Makeup artist Molly Stern gave Witherspoon a glowing complexion using Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, glowing cheeks using the brand's Cheek Gelee Hydrating Gel Cream Blush in Happy, and shimmery lids using the gold hue in Le Chrome Luxe Eye Duo in Grand Canal.
Charlize Theron
Sure, a smoky eye or a red lip always makes a statement, but sometimes all it takes is a bit of metallic to go big. Theron balanced the bold hue of her dress with a smoky eye done in shades of bronze.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
10 Spring Beauty Trends To Start Wearing NOW
What Happened When I Semipermanently Contoured My Face
Makeup Artist Uses Tutorials & Her Hijab To Transform Herself Into Disney Princesses On Instagram