The Academy Awards is the pinnacle of awards season, more prestigious and exclusive than any other ceremony that precedes it, and while the VMA and Grammy looks are edgy and sometimes outlandish, the Academy Awards fashion and beauty looks are classic. Hours of meticulous planning and the use of top-notch makeup stylists and makeup artists are required to create the Academy Awards beauty look.

If you want to be a modern Marilyn Monroe for the Oscars, lean in like Madonna (a smart way to incorporate her bold aesthetic and still stay within the dress code). The bold black eyeliner and cool red lipstick are unmistakable.

Imagine going to the Oscars as a bronze goddess and literally getting a golden statue (in this case, Charlize Theron for Monster). I don't like the blonde eyebrows, even though they fit her character, but the sleek waves of her hair, the perfect tan, and the no-makeup makeup are perfect.

Goldie Hawn has been refining her look for a long time, and here we see a youthful iteration of her iconic hair and makeup. She is still in her early thirties, but the floral clips and more pristine curls (before the softer waves) make her look even more youthful.

This hairstyle has been voted "best of the best" by many Academy Awards hairstylists, and for good reason. She was inspired by the Ursa Kit and seems to have used minimal products except for a finishing mist ($12). She braided her hair the night before and then unraveled it to create this amazing texture.

Billie Eilish's striking and shocking beauty choices are much-loved, in part because she is always willing to experiment (even at the most formal events). Here, her raven hair ends in a 50s-style flip, and she is compared to fellow singer Joan Jett.

What I always find so fascinating about the Academy Awards beauty looks is that you are often competing with the statues themselves. But in the case of Sophia Loren, all she has to do is put on the classic cat-eye makeup and she's ready to go.

Winona Ryder is the gold standard for the spiky pixie short look that was all the rage in the 90s. I only wish she wore her hair like this more often.

If you're going to wear the most expensive jewelry on the red carpet (this set totals $18 million), it helps to have makeup that doesn't fight with it. Cate Blanchett wisely chose a simple black eyeliner and nude lip to complement her stunning earrings.

After her literal buzz cut at the Met Gala, she needs something equally avant-garde for the Oscars. I love the silver blonde color, and the visible roots are clearly quite thoughtful (i.e., not sloppy), matching the thick, perfectly tailored brows.

Some have called Drew Barrymore the "Queen of the 90s," and I've never felt that more fitting than in this photo. Never ignore the short bangs, the curly bob, the bodice glow, and the daisy tucked behind her ear. And the thin eyebrows, which everyone regretted.

Sienna Miller has given us numerous gorgeous Oscar beauty looks, and this one was no exaggeration for her. Soft braided hair, smoky but not too strong eyeshadow, peachy nude lips, and minimal blush. Yes,

there were a few topknots on the red carpet at the 2024 Oscars, but Issa Ray's topknot was the most striking (and probably the tallest). It was an actual work of art, an overlapping twist of deep brunette and lighter cinnamon, enhanced by the pink and brown shades of her makeup.

It's as if Julia Roberts went into the Oscars with a premonition that she would win an Oscar. The ultra-thick updo is the star of the show, giving the look impressive gravitas, and the makeup simply accentuates her gorgeous features without competing.

Michelle Yeoh shined in every way possible to win the Oscar. Although a little hard to see in this photo, she is actually wearing a sparkly headband that complements her waterfall earrings. Her makeup is a youthful soft pink, and she looks like she's floating down the red carpet.

I realize that many of the entries on this list will be award-winning actors. For those of you who don't know, Streep swept her hair back for her intense role in Kramer vs. Kramer, so this loose, wavy hairdo is probably the nice update she needed (and a reminder that she's not in the role (and a good reminder that she's not in the role).

Before she became known as the queen of high-low fashion at the Oscars, Sharon Stone was still sporting her trademark cool chic look at the event. The red lip is perfect, but we're more enchanted by the semi-choppy asymmetrical bob, styled in a pretty but not overdone way.

Paired with a Grecian dress (not visible in this photo, but a multi-colored pastel), Lauren Hutton attended the Academy Awards with traditional 70s hair and makeup. Simple beachy waves, minimal eye makeup, and just the right amount of blush. May we all strive for this kind of casual perfection.

Gwyneth Paltrow's of-the-moment pink dress made a deeply feminine statement on the red carpet. So, to balance the aesthetic, her hair was carefully and precisely swept back. Imagine if this were done in a high, curled updo.

Strictly speaking, this is not Ms. Ross's red carpet look. However, it is Diana in her 80s heyday, with gorgeous natural hair that matches the glitz and glamour of her dress, and her makeup is simple and striking.

I really enjoy these photos. Jane Fonda with her Oscar is very meta, looking just like the giant Oscar behind her. Even her highlighted blonde hair and shiny lip gloss are in there to complete the look: she is glowing from head to toe.

Like others on this list, this entire slideshow could have been Lupita Nyongo's photos (she has shown us many great beauty looks from the Oscars). Her stylist apparently suggested this headband to hairstylist Larry Sims as a last-minute update. But it's the perfect accent to her dress.

I have included the Elizabeth Taylor tiara in my throwback fashion list many times. Technically, this is her husband Mike Todd's Oscar statue, but no one is paying attention to that statue. Her curls and simple makeup make her look like a queen.

I love Julianne Moore's red carpet beauty. This is perhaps the richest and fullest iteration of her auburn hair, a welcome injection of drama into the entire look (considering how soft and pale her dress is). The combination of red and the soft pink of her lips and cheeks is the perfect complement.

In a bold red dress, Lucy Liu could have easily gone with a nude or petal pink lip. But instead, she found an almost identical shade (with a little glitter, of course, since it's the early 2000s) to create a matched-but-not-matched beauty.

If you're a rather legendary bombshell (with a reputation to uphold.) and you're going to the Oscars, channel Raquel Welch here and make it look like you have a literal blower under you to lift your curls. (She's probably just spinning dramatically, but in my mind, she's just blessed that way.)

Zendaya's entire look is Cher-inspired, as the actor/singer is always giving 110 percent, and her hair is as long and gorgeous as Cher's. As her curls fluttered gracefully in the breeze, much like Raquel Welch's decades ago, people literally asked if she had brought a leaf cutter to the red carpet.

One of the main plot points of the Academy Award-winning "Roman Holiday" is that Audrey Hepburn's character cuts her hair short to make her look less like a princess. The haircut, which would last for most of Hepburn's career, here adds a youthful surprise to her traditional floral gowns.

The color blush is not for everyone, but it looks great on Zoe Saldaña. From the softly curled updo to the barely-there pink lip gloss to the perfect brown smokey eye, this entire look leans deeply romantic.

Cindy Crawford's red Versace dress was naturally the star of the red carpet (second only to Liz Hurley's paperclip dress), but her surprisingly neutral makeup and hair were a nice contrast The matte pink lip color is a perfect match for the color of her lips. The matte pink lip color was a particularly inspired choice.

Michelle Williams' mustard-colored dress (understandably) drew a lot of attention at the Oscars. But to balance the vibrancy of the dress, a striking color on top was needed. This bold red was the answer.

Halle Berry's Oscar dress is also in the Hall of Fame, so to speak. But I want to focus on her makeup. Beautiful, shimmery pink, and the spiky, slightly messy look of her hair makes the look just a little "un-done." Top Level.

Although you can't see it in these photos, Grace Kelly's gown is actually pistachio green (and made of luxurious silk, said to be one of the most expensive gowns in Oscar history). So minimal eye makeup, blush makeup, and a pink-red lip is all she needs.