She was one of the first big names to arrive, but Jessica Chastain's look managed to remain unmatched for the rest of the night. Not only did she display one of the night's only bold makeup looks but she also proved red heads can wear a scarlet lip. To complete the look she matched her copper hair and dress with a rust-colored shimmer eyeshadow on her lids.
Photo 3/7
Best Updo: Jennifer Lawrence and Naomi Watts
OK, this is kind of cheating but we just couldn't decided which was more stunning: Jennifer Lawrence's tucked bun (styled by Dove's Mark Townsend) or Naomi Watts' purposely messy twist. So we're calling it a two-way tie.
To achieve Watts's Grace Kelly-inspired look, celebrity hairstylist Giannandrea used Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Creme (the first BB cream for your hair!) to create texture before twisting small sections into a loose bun.
Photo 4/7
Best Skin: Charlize Theron
Fact: No one does minimal makeup like Charlize Theron. The ageless actress showed that all she needs to look truly stunning is a bit of bronzer, a dash of mascara, and a swipe of lipgloss.
Photo 5/7
Best Hair: Reese Witherspoon
While retro waves were the go-to hairstyle this award season, Reese Witherspoon's were so Veronica Lake-perfect they managed to steal the show. Not only were her golden ringlets extra shiny, but the perfectly coiffed curls didn't budge one inch as she made her way down the windy carpet.
Photo 6/7
Best Smoky Eye: Zoe Saldana
In a sea of neutral shadows, Zoe Saldana's smoky eye was a refreshing change. Rather than go for the traditional black eyeshadow, she opted for a muted silver shade that went perfectly with her gown. Here's one daytime smoky eye that just about anyone can pull off.
As I'm writing this I have no idea who has won Best Actress or Best Picture (C'mon Argo!) at the 2013 Oscars but what I can say with certainty is who won the red carpet beauty awards (more about that on the next slide).
Overall, the trends were simple and safe, as they've been all award season long: loose waves, nude nails, and neutral makeup with the occasional red lip. As expected, Adele went for her signature cat eye, Sandra Bullock kept her hair extra sleek, and Ben Affleck opted not to shave his scruffy beard.
I'll admit, there were a few surprising missteps this year (sorry, Jennifer Aniston, but you're officially stuck in a hair rut, time to give up that simple blowout on the red carpet). But those slipups only meant that the gorgeous hair and makeup looks on the other actresses seemed that much more, well, flawless.
Ready to see if your favorites made the cut? Or did you skip watching the 2013 Academy Awards all together and need a quick cheat sheet? Either way, click on to see which stars earned top awards in our red carpet beauty categories.
