The 2026 Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, delivered no shortage of beauty inspiration, with celebrities embracing bold colour, modern graphic liner and statement nails. From ethereal monochromatic makeup to metallic nail art and vintage-inspired eyeliner, this year’s standout looks proved that red carpet beauty is all about creativity and individuality. Here, Professional Beauty breaks down some of the most memorable beauty moments from the night.
Wunmi Mosaku – Bold colour accents
“Sinners” actress Wunmi Mosaku, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, stunned on the red carpet wearing a custom Louis Vuitton gown. While the look itself was striking, it was the thoughtful makeup detail that caught our attention.
Makeup artist Uzo added a playful pop of iridescent colour to Mosaku’s inner corners, subtly echoing the tones of the gown and creating a cohesive beauty moment. The vibrant accent brightened the eyes and added a modern twist to an otherwise classic red carpet look.
Chase Infiniti – Soft lilac monochrome
Chase Infiniti, the breakout star from Best Picture “One Battle After Another”, embraced an ethereal aesthetic on the Oscars red carpet in a ruffled lilac gown from Louis Vuitton.
To complement the statement dress, makeup artist Amber D created a soft monochromatic lilac eye look, gently washing the shade across the lids for a dreamy, diffused finish. The subtle colour story echoed trends seen at London Fashion Week, where subtle eyeshadow looks dominated the runways, and ensured the overall beauty look felt cohesive without overpowering the gown.
Audrey Nuna – Sculptural gold nails
Audrey Nuna paid homage to “Golden” – the track she was nominated for Best Original Song alongside her KPop Demon Hunters co-stars – with a striking set of gold chrome nails.
Created by Marielle Co, nail artist and owner of LA-based nail studio Girlfriend Bar, the sculptural manicure featured 3D golden orbs, which she joked would mean Nuna would "have the biggest balls on the red carpet".
Teyana Taylor – Mod-inspired graphic liner
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “One Battle After Another”, Teyana Taylor arrived at the Oscars in a dramatic black-and-white Chanel gown embellished with crystals and finished with a statement feathered train.
Her makeup artist, @yeikaglow, revealed the look was inspired by the 1960s mod movement. The result was a striking graphic eyeliner design that felt both vintage and thoroughly modern, delivering a bold beauty statement that perfectly matched the theatrical elegance of Taylor’s red carpet ensemble.
Jayme Lawson – Cobalt liner moment
“Sinners” actress Jayme Lawson also tapped into runway-inspired beauty trends, opting for a bold cobalt blue eyeliner that perfectly complemented her gown.
Ejae – Elegant gold nail art
Nuna’s co-star Ejae also opted for a gold-accented manicure for the Oscars red carpet. Her look featured a pearlescent white base paired with intricate gold chrome tips, designed in delicate swirling patterns.
The elegant set was created by celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, known for her refined, red carpet-ready manicures. Fun fact: Ganzorigt also created nail looks for fellow Oscars attendees Kylie Jenner, Demi Moore and Ariana Greenblatt for the evening.
Lead image credit: Etienne Laurent / The Academy
