The 2024 Oscars, one of cinema’s most anticipated nights, recently took place, and alongside the glitz and glamour of the award ceremony, all eyes were on the red carpet. As Hollywood’s brightest stars strutted their stuff in jaw-dropping couture, they also showcased the season’s most exciting beauty trends. From makeup to hair, the evening delivered a glimpse into the year’s evolving beauty standards, with fresh inspiration that we can all recreate, whether for a special occasion or just to elevate our everyday look.
The Beauty Trends of the Night
Every year, the Oscars are more than just a celebration of cinematic achievements; they’re also a platform for setting beauty trends. This year, several recurring themes emerged on the red carpet, each offering a fresh take on elegance and simplicity. From understated, natural makeup to effortlessly chic hairstyles, the 2024 Oscars were all about embracing a refined yet relaxed approach to beauty.
1. Earthy Makeup Tones: A Return to Nature
One of the most striking makeup trends seen at the Oscars was the use of earthy, neutral tones, a trend that is expected to dominate the beauty scene in 2024. Celebrities like Emma Stone, Billie Eilish, and Anya Taylor-Joy embraced warm, natural shades that complemented their features and gave their looks a refined yet understated feel.
Makeup artist Ju Monteiro, who worked with several of the night’s stars, explained the shift towards these earthy tones: “On the lips, we saw variations of nude shades—usually one or two tones deeper than the natural lip color. This was particularly noticeable on stars like Emma Stone, who went for a subtle, flattering nude lip. Blush also took a turn away from bright pinks, favoring bronzers and terracotta hues, which gave the skin a soft, sun-kissed glow.”
This preference for neutral hues speaks to a broader shift toward natural beauty—focusing on enhancing what’s already there, rather than covering it up with bold or heavy makeup.
2. Full, Natural Brows: The Key to a Striking Look
Eyebrows took center stage at this year’s Oscars. Celebrities like Emma Stone, Hailee Steinfeld, and Anya Taylor-Joy showcased full, voluminous brows that stood out as the focal point of their makeup. Rather than opting for overly sculpted or overly plucked shapes, the trend embraced natural beauty, with brows styled to highlight their unique shapes and enhance facial symmetry.
Micropigmentation expert Fátima Bahia offered insight into the trend, emphasizing the importance of working with your natural brow shape. “We always talk about respecting the natural shape of your eyebrows and harmonizing them with your face, instead of relying on generic shapes. Celebrities like Emma Stone and Anya Taylor-Joy have truly embodied this approach, and the result is voluminous, powerful brows that elevate their look without overpowering it.”
For those looking to replicate this red carpet-ready look, filling in sparse areas with a soft brow pencil and using a clear gel to set the hairs in place can achieve a similar effect. The key is to embrace the natural volume of your brows, giving them definition while allowing their true shape to shine through.
3. Simple, Elegant Hairstyles: Side Parts and Soft Waves
When it came to hair, the side part emerged as the preferred style for many of the night’s top stars. Forget the sleek, middle parts that dominated the fashion world in previous seasons—2024 is all about soft, diagonal side parts that give hair a timeless and sophisticated vibe. Celebrities like Ariana Grande, Danielle Brooks, and America Ferrera sported this effortless yet chic look, with their hair either left loose in soft waves or styled straight for a polished finish.
Hairstylist Rudi Werner shared tips for recreating this elegant style: “This year, we’ve seen a lot of actresses opting for side-parted hair, with slight waves or completely straight strands. It’s a timeless, uncomplicated style that looks super chic. To replicate it at home, just style your hair with a brush, make a well-defined side part, and finish with hairspray to hold the look in place.”
For anyone dealing with frizz, Werner also suggested a clever trick: “Spray some hairspray onto a makeup brush and lightly sweep it over areas of your hair that tend to frizz. It’s a great way to control those unruly strands while keeping your style intact.”
4. Healthy, Natural Skin: The Glow We All Want
Another major theme at the 2024 Oscars was natural, glowing skin. Celebrities showcased luminous, fresh-faced complexions that highlighted their natural beauty. Rather than going for full-coverage foundations or heavy contouring, stars embraced dewy skin that let their real texture and glow shine through.
The beauty of this trend lies in its simplicity: well-moisturized skin with subtle highlighter to emphasize the high points of the face, like the cheekbones, nose, and Cupid’s bow. This look is not about covering up imperfections, but rather about letting the skin breathe and showcase its natural radiance.
Makeup artists like Julia Vang highlighted the importance of skincare in achieving this fresh-faced look. “The key to glowing skin is good skincare leading up to your makeup application. Keep your skin hydrated and prep it with a nourishing primer before applying a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer.”
Replicating the Red Carpet Look at Home
While the Oscars offer an opportunity to witness the work of some of the most talented beauty professionals, many of the trends are surprisingly easy to recreate at home. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to achieve the key looks:
- For earthy makeup tones: Stick to neutral shades for your lips and cheeks. A nude lipstick one or two shades deeper than your natural lip color, paired with a bronzer or terracotta blush, will give you the perfect sun-kissed glow.
- For natural brows: Fill in sparse spots with a soft brow pencil and set with a clear gel. Avoid overly shaping or defining them too much—let their natural form shine through.
- For side-parted hair: Create a defined side part, and either straighten your hair for a sleek look or add loose waves for an effortless vibe. Finish with hairspray to keep your style in place all day.
- For glowing skin: Focus on hydration and light coverage. Use a tinted moisturizer or a light foundation, and highlight the high points of your face with a subtle, cream-based highlighter.
Conclusion
The 2024 Oscars delivered an evening of stunning beauty moments, highlighting natural elegance, timeless hairstyles, and earthy tones. The trends seen on the red carpet this year are perfect for anyone looking to simplify their beauty routine while embracing their natural features. Whether you’re inspired by the flawless, voluminous brows or the glowing, radiant skin, these Oscar-inspired looks offer plenty of inspiration for your next special occasion—or even your everyday beauty regimen.
