The fashion at the Oscars this year wasn’t as exciting as the Golden Globes; I felt that the Golden Globes offered a lot more variety on the red carpet in terms of colors, silhouettes, and hair and makeup. Nevertheless, it did leave me a little surprised. A lot of the celebrities on my best-dressed list this year are not my usual suspects. Also, I am not usually a fan of pale colors on the red carpet, often feeling that they look washed out. However, as proved by the appearances this year, I have realized that with the right makeup, even pastels and pale tones can look striking on the red carpet.

Below are six of my favorite looks.

Images via Look.co.uk

Charlize Theron

The minute I saw her walk the red carpet, I knew she was going on this list. Usually, after watching the show, I sit back and compare all the looks I like and finally shortlist around 5-7 of them, but this one was a no-brainer. Charlize Theron looked extremely elegant in her pure white Christian Dior gown with a peplum waist. I like that this gown had a deep v-cut and wasn’t a regular strapless gown like Jennifer Lawrence’s, which doesn’t really flatter the bustline. Her dewy makeup with glossy lips and classic diamond jewelry complemented the minimalist design of the dress. And while I’m personally not a fan of pixie cuts, Charlize sure owns it! Longer hair or an updo would simply not have given it that streamlined and polished touch this gown needed.

Amy Adams

You can’t really tell from this image, but Amy Adams really looked like a fairytale princess when she was moving around in this dress. She wore a powder blue Oscar de la Renta dress with tiered layers of tulle and a long train that only came second to Jennifer Lawrence’s in terms of making a statement. This look could have easily failed to make an impression because of the color of the dress and the minimal accessories, but her dark hair color and makeup with subtle pink undertones made all the difference. My favorite part about her look was her loose chignon parted down the middle. Click here for a tutorial!

Naomi Watts

She wore a structured grey sequined dress by Armani Privé  that drew attention thanks to its asymmetrical neckline. It could have easily looked costume-like, but somehow Naomi made it work. A messy updo, light, rosy makeup, and minimal jewelry let the unique neckline remain the focal point of her look.

Jennifer Lawrence

She wore a pale pink Christian Dior ball gown, and like I mentioned earlier, I am not a fan of the bustline. Also, I am not crazy about the gown from the front, but one look at this beauty from the back, and I just couldn’t help but fall in love! More eye candy in the back included a delicate Chopard necklace and a twisted/textured low bun; catch a glimpse of both here. Smokey eyes, supple pink lips, and lightly bronzed skin ensured that she didn’t look washed out.

Amanda Seyfried

She looked exquisite in a lilac custom-made Alexander McQueen gown that featured intricate embroidery, a high collar with a keyhole opening, and a pleated bottom. I also liked how her hair and makeup brought a certain softness to her face; it nicely balanced the clean cut of her dress. A loose, tousled updo and lavender smokey eyes highlighted her feminine features and kept her looking delicate instead of sharp. And her Roger Vivier Spider sandals were easily one of my favorite shoes of the night.

Kerry Washington

Bless her for bringing some color to the red carpet. And not in a boring way like Jennifer Aniston did! Her strapless Miu Miu dress with a bejeweled bodice and a bow belt came in a lovely coral that just popped against her skin tone. She paired the dress with a red Prada clutch and Christian Louboutin pointed pumps, bringing a second color to her outfit. And while her hair was somewhat of a downer, her heavily mascara-coated eyelashes and shimmering pink blush added to the playful vibe of her dress.

And that’s a wrap! Which celebrities made it to your best-dressed lists? Write back!

xoxo,

SK