While we’re still swooning over the recently wrapped 98th Academy Awards, it’s time to pause and save the best makeup looks for inspo. And yes, we mean the best of them, from luminous skin that glows like a spotlight to classic red lips that never fail to turn heads.

And no, you don’t need an event as fancy or as star-studded as the Oscars to pull these off. Think of this as your cheat sheet for your next night out, dinner date, or even just any event where you just want to feel extra.

Charithra Chandran

Bridgerton breakout star Charithra Chandran understood the assignment— and then some. In real Diamond of the Season style, she stepped out looking elegant and cool. The focus was a deep, sultry smoky eye that did all the talking, balanced with softly sculpted blush that subtly contoured her face. Her lips stayed in that perfect brown-caramel zone, effortless, flattering, and the kind of shade you keep reaching for. It was giving ‘polished,’ but not trying too hard, thanks to her makeup artist Kenneth Soh.

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Anne Hathaway

If there’s one person you can always count on for timeless glam, it’s Anne Hathaway. Her makeup, done by Hung Vanngo, was basically a masterclass in warm-toned harmony. Think coral blush and lips that just work together, with a soft sheen that keeps everything fresh. Her eyes carried that same warmth with pink-toned shadows, tying the whole look together. 

And we need to talk about the hair–half up, half down, with a poof? Yes, a poof. If Andy Sachs says it’s back, then who are we to argue?

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EJAE

KPop Demon Hunters singer EJAE kept things fresh and minimal in a way that still felt red carpet-ready. Her makeup artist Kevin Cheah leaned into that clean, refreshing and luminous glow we all dream about, paired with soft pink tones on the cheeks and lips. But the real game changer? A sleek black cat eye that added just the right amount of edge. It’s proof that sometimes, you really don’t need to do the most to stand out.

Ariana Greenblatt

Ariana Greenblatt’s look was all about looking “radiant and effortless,” according to her makeup artist for the night Jennifer Luney Tioseco. The kind where people ask what your skincare routine is even though it’s mostly just really good makeup. Her cheeks and lips had this rosy, healthy flush that complemented her curls so beautifully, while her eyes stayed softly defined. She finished it off with a glossy nude lip, which was very on brand with her cool girl vibe.

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Wunmi Mosaku

Sinners actress and Oscars nominee Wunmi Mosaku might have had one of the most eye-catching looks of the night, thanks to her makeup artist Uzo. Emphasis on the eye, which was a metallic blue-to-gray shimmer in the inner corners that tied in perfectly with her green sparkly gown. It was bold, yes, but still incredibly refined, and I’m definitely taking notes. Her glowing skin and glossy nude lips kept things grounded, letting her eyes take center stage.

Rose Byrne

No red carpet roundup is ever complete without a classic red lip, and Rose Byrne, who earned her first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for If I Had Legs I’d Kick, delivered exactly that. Paired with a strapless black Dior gown, her makeup look done by Hung Vanngo was the definition of timeless elegance, finished with sleek, slicked-back hair styled into a low bun.

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