Stunning Beauty Looks That Stole the Show at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
Introduction
The Critics Choice Awards never fail to kick off the new year with a bang. As the unofficial start to awards season, this prestigious event welcomes Hollywood’s elite, all dressed to impress, setting the stage for the red carpets to come. While fashion moments inevitably steal the spotlight, beauty enthusiasts are equally captivated by the makeup looks that grace the red carpet. After all, this event signals what we can expect from the rest of the year’s awards-season extravaganzas.
Beauty Trends of 2026
This year, pared-back aesthetics are out, and bold, statement-making looks are in. Pinterest has crowned ‘XL glamour’ as the beauty trend to watch in 2026. Think smudged eyeliner, vibrant color palettes, eye-catching eyeshadows, and two-toned lipstick blends that happily bid farewell to symmetry. Searches for ‘eccentric makeup’ have surged by 100%, while ‘weird makeup looks’ are up by 115%. Leading the charge, however, is ‘avant-garde makeup editorial,’ with searches soaring by a striking 270%.
Celebrity Beauty Moments
Did the stars take note of these trends? Let’s find out. Here are the best celebrity beauty moments from the Critics Choice Awards 2026:
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande channeled girlish glamour, sporting a fiery auburn updo with a curled ponytail and flicky frontal bangs. The star tapped into her signature feminine aesthetic, opting for a plumped, blossom pink lip and her hallmark winged eyeliner.
Elle Fanning
Never one to miss an opportunity to nail a red carpet look, Elle Fanning took to the floor in a golden gown, which was elevated by a blushed palette with gently-dotted freckles and a matte, cherry red lip.
Mia Goth
Mia Goth paid homage to the enduring elegance of the high bun as she glided across the red carpet with a honied complexion and a glossy lip, coolly framed by two flicky curtain bangs.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried debuted an ultra-feminine blend—a deep rose pink lip, a porcelain complexion, a gently brushed brow, and a softly blended winged eyeliner.
Chase Infiniti
One-to-watch Chase Infiniti nailed her luminous look, which featured a sleek braided hairstyle paired with dewy, minimalist skin, soft bronze eyeshadow, and a glossy nude lip for an effortless red-carpet glow.
Mckenna Grace
Mckenna Grace leaned into soft, classic glamour with a modern polish: luminous skin, fluttery lashes, softly defined brows, a satin red lip, and a half-up, half-down ‘do with a side-swept fringe.
Jessie Buckley
Warm tones were on the agenda for actress Jessie Buckley, who stepped out in LA with a side-slicked pixie cut in a rich caramel hue, a dusting of golden bronzer, and a fig-hued, matte lip.
Odessa A’zion
‘I Love LA’ breakout star Odessa A’zion showcased her signature bouncing ringlets as she graced the red carpet in a silver sequined gown featuring dramatic batwing sleeves.
Meghann Fahy
Meghann Fahy was joined on the red carpet by her beau Leo Woodall, yet all eyes remained on her iridescent aesthetic. The actress opted for a tousled updo with softly curled bangs, elevated by a gentle glam look topped off with a glossy, grapefruit pink lip.
Kristen Bell
Looking lavish in layers of lace, Kristen Bell took her place on the red carpet with a natural beauty look, framed by two ‘bronde’ curtain bangs—a prevailing trend of the night.
Leighton Meester
To complement her lavender gown, Leighton Meester debuted a clean-girl makeup blend, punctuated by a sharp, cerise lip. Her golden highlights were styled in a feminine side-swept style, softly curling just above her collarbones.
Chase Sui Wonders
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ star Chase Sui Wonders married contemporary dress codes with flapper girl glam, styling a side-parted coiff with a curled, voluminous bob.
Jessica Williams
American actress and comedian Jessica Williams channeled soft glam Sixties style with a voluminous bouffant, elegant black hair bow, winged eyeliner, and a subtle nude-pink lip.
Rose Byrne
Making a case for the timeless smoky eye, Aussie actress Rose Byrne delivered a lesson in gothic minimalism, styling a caramel-tinted updo, a lined rose pink lip, and a matte complexion.
Erin Doherty
‘The Crown’ star Erin Doherty opted for a natural yet glowing blend, featuring a soft dusting of blush, a matte lip, and a slicked-back updo.
Conclusion
The Critics Choice Awards 2026 showcased a variety of stunning beauty looks, from bold and glamorous to soft and natural. These celebrity beauty moments set the tone for the rest of the awards season, proving that 2026 is all about making a statement with your makeup.
For more information on beauty trends, visit Pinterest.
