Reese Witherspoon
Even though she wasn't a nominee, Witherspoon looked like a winner; to complement her strapless Armani Privé gown, Fekkai hairstylist Renato Campora opted for a '60s-inspired ponytail. "I wanted to showcase her shoulders, neck, and beautiful earrings," he says. Thick black lashes further accentuated Witherspoon's retro-chic aesthetic.
Mila Kunis
Presenter and Black Swan star Kunis diverged from her usual classic elegance for a fresher, romantic ensemble—lacy lavender Elie Saab Haute Couture. Kunis' hair also had a more sentimental tone. "I wanted it to recall old-Hollywood glamour—soft and feminine," says tress guru Mara Roszak. To create the do, Roszak began by applying Leonor Greyl mousse on Kunis' wet hair and side-parting it. After rough-drying strands for au naturel texture, Roszak curled sections away from the face with a one-inch-barrel curling iron. She then used her fingers to separate and pin waves at the nape of the neck. "I chose to do a wide chignon because I wanted it to be seen from the front," she says.
Jennifer Lawrence
In Winter's Bone, Lawrence's no-frills character sports mussed hair and minimal makeup. But in real life, the best actress nominee is a certifiable bombshell! To enhance her formfitting red Calvin Klein dress, Lawrence wore cascading waves and come-hither eyes—courtesy of makeup artist Jillian Dempsey. The Avon global creative color director says she chose bold eye makeup over bold lipstick because she "didn't want a colored lip to compete with the color of the dress." To play up Lawrence's eyes, she used "lots of mascara and sultry liner," applying shades from Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Blushing Raisins along the upper lid and brow bone.
Jennifer Hudson
The Oscar winner elongated her already slimmed-down visage by wearing a sophisticated pumped-up hairstyle and teardrop earrings. Add perfectly groomed brows and glossy lips to the mix and Hudson was a veritable dream girl.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Paltrow was a vision of elegant simplicity in a streamlined Calvin Klein gown and Louis Vuitton earrings—and her mane man, Harry Josh, chose a likeminded hairstyle. "She hadn't been to the Oscars in a while and didn't want anything too over the top," says the John Frieda international creative consultant, who used Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight and a flatiron to style Paltrow's sleek strands. "Her dress is graphic, so I chose to do a dead-center part," he adds. "Few people can wear a center part—a side part is softer—but she can pull it off."
Mandy Moore
Moore took center stage to perform Tangled's "I See the Light," nominated for best original song—and she drew attention on the red carpet, too. Moore was resplendent in a Monique Lhuillier original, and her braided bun and tangerine lipstick caught our eye.
Scarlett Johansson
Veering from tradition, Johansson chose understated earrings and undone, textured tresses. "Scarlett, her stylist, makeup artist, and I got together and decided to go in a different direction from what was originally planned," says Duffy, Johansson's hair guru for the evening. "Instead of doing the obvious—amplifying her appearance with flashy jewelry, a beehive updo, and lots of makeup—we pared it down." Using a medium-barrel curling iron and Fekkai Coiff Oceanique spray to whip Johansson's locks into sexy waves, Duffy "alternated the direction of the curl for each section and left ends straight for an organic, natural appearance."
Michelle Williams
Drawing inspiration from Williams' "sparkling and ethereal" Chanel Haute Couture gown, makeup artist Jeanine Lobell imparted the same effect on the actress's peepers using Chanel Quadre Eyeshadow in Smoky Eyes. Applying the silver shade as a base along the upper lid and brow bone, Lobell brushed the pewter hue along the crease and lower lash line, saving the black for use as eyeliner. To finish, the Chanel makeup maestro glued a few individual lashes at the center and lavished Williams' fringe with waterproof mascara.
Hailee Steinfeld
The True Grit ingénue typically wears her long locks au naturel or loosely gathered. But for the Oscars, she broke from the norm, choosing a sleek high bun and simple yet elegant headband.
Hilary Swank
Like Steinfeld, Oscar winner Swank opted to accessorize her updo—with winning results. "We used Anna Hu platinum diamond earrings as clips," says her hairstylist, Moroccanoil guru Robert Vetica. "It was a Grace Kelly sort of moment—a constructed, sculptured, slightly asymmetrical chignon."
Halle Berry
Don't mess with perfection! Berry's signature tousled pixie and dark smoky eyes worked just fine—and let her Marchesa gown do the talking.
Anne Hathaway
Flaunting freshly done highlights, the show's co-host pulled her hair back to reveal deep red lips. "I used Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Crème Lip Colour in Rivoli and lightly powdered her mouth for a matte effect," says Hathaway's makeup artist, Kate Lee.
Sandra Bullock
Another lady in red! Oscar winner Bullock also went for a scarlet pucker using Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Crème Lip Colour. Makeup artist Angela Levin used the lipstick's Gabrielle shade, painting it on with a brush. "Then I had Sandra rub her lips together and reapplied the color, creating the look of a dark stain," says Levin. Completing Bullock's awardworthy look: a textured, finger-combed bun by hairstylist David Babaii.
Amy Adams
The best supporting actress nominee for The Fighter dazzled in 1970s-inspired hair and makeup. Using Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment for shine, hairstylist Laini Reeves says that Adams' marcel waves were influenced by model Jerry Hall's. Adams' vibrant eyes and lips came courtesy of Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Bateau Ivre and Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Baroque. Her makeup maestro, Molly Stern, calls the finished look "old-Hollywood disco."
Natalie Portman
Last but certainly not least—taking home the Oscar for best actress!—Portman impressed with glowing skin and glistening side-swept curls by Fekkai stylist Didier Malige, who calls the 'do "glamorous and bohemian."
