Choosing a dress is drama enough if you're a Hollywood starlet, but how do you decide on your beauty look for the biggest red carpet event of the year?
With the help of Chanel's celebrity make-up artists, of course. The luxury brand's finest Angela Levin and Cathy Highland explain how they created the Oscar beauty looks for three very different women - Michelle Williams, Sandra Bullock and Glenn Close, plus tips on how to get the look yourself.
Picture credit: Rex Features
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Make-up by: Chanel Celebrity Make-up Artist Angela Levin.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration was a flower! When I saw Michelle in her stunning dress, it made me think of a beautiful rose I have in my garden. Like that flower, she looked so gorgeous and delicate, so I decided to use an array of Spring hues!
Get the look
Skincare: I began by hydrating her skin with a light layer of CHANEL Sublimage La Creme Texture Supreme.
Eye Shadow: Next, I used CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Mystic Eyes, using half moon strokes on the lids to maintain a round, soft feeling. For an added pop of glamour, I placed a bit of CHANEL Soft Touch Eye Shadow in Tigerlily on her lids.
Eye Liner: Under the eyes, I used the darkest color, the neutral deep brown with gold flecks shade, from CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Mystic Eyes.
Eye Brows: CHANEL Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in Blond Clair.
Foundation: To further enhance Michelle's already gorgeous skin, I applied CHANEL Vitalumière Aqua Compact (available 6th April) for a hydrated, flawless, revitalized and radiant look.
Blush: For the cheeks, I applied my favorite new cheek color, Exclusive Creation Blush Horizon de CHANEL.
Highlighter: To accentuate the natural contours of Michelle's face, I lightly added CHANEL Limited Edition Natural Finish Pressed Powder in Jasmin to her cheeks. I also added this to her shoulders for a slight highlight as well.
Mascara: To the top and bottom lashes, I applied two coats of CHANEL Inimitable Mascara in Noir.
Lipstick: For Michelle's bright, purpley-pink lips, I mixed two CHANEL Rouge Coco Shades from CHANEL's Spring collection: Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Paradis, a pink coral with Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Destineé, a spring plum.
SANDRA BULLOCK
Make-up by: Chanel Celebrity Make-up Artist Angela Levin.
INSPIRATION
"Gorgeous in every way!"
Get the look
Skincare: I started by applying a rich dose of CHANEL Sublimage La Creme Texture Supreme to a clean face and let it absorb into the face for about 15 minutes.
Foundation: On her eyes and forehead, I then used a light coat of CHANEL Vitalumière Aqua Compact (available 6th April).
Blush: For the cheeks I wanted to create a fresh, youthful appearance so I applied Exclusive Creation Blush Horizon de CHANEL.
Eye Shadow: On the eyes, I began by applying CHANEL Illusion D'Ombre in Émerveille to her lids lightly with my fingers. I followed by applying all colors from the CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Enigma. I used the chocolate grey on the outer part of the lid, the violet grey on the eye crease, the pink under the brow bone and the deep plum to frame the eye across the lash lines.
Eye Liner: To further glamorize her eyes, I lined the upper lash line with CHANEL Intense Eye Pencil in Noir.
Mascara: CHANEL Inimitable Mascara in Noir.
Lipstick: I finished her look by applying a sumptuous amount of CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Mademoiselle topped with CHANEL Glossimer in Braise.
GLENN CLOSE
Make-up by: Celebrity Makeup Artist Cathy Highland
INSPIRATION
Timeless beauty was the inspiration for Glenn’s Oscar look. With the unique colour of her dress, I wanted Glenn’s face to be fresh, but also have enough pop for the cameras on the red carpet and last all evening through the parties following the live telecast.
Get the look
Skincare: The night before Glenn used CHANEL Sublimage La Creme Texture Supreme. Before I applied the makeup, I used CHANEL Hydra Beauty Serum (available May 2012).
Foundation: I used CHANEL Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15. It was set and finished off with CHANEL Natural Finish Pressed Powder in Translucent 1.
Blush: CHANEL Powder Blush in In Love.
Eye Shadow: I covered the lid with the shimmery CHANEL Illusion D'Ombre in Émerveille. I then blended the darker green shadow from CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Lilium up to the crease creating a soft, classic smoky eye.
Eye Brows: CHANEL Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in Blond Clair.
Eye Liner: I used CHANEL Precision Eye Definer in Brun. I like to emphasize the lash line with a very fine line of black. My personal trick is using a tiny brush and dipping it into the black waterproof mascara for a ‘stay in place’ application for a long day.
Lipstick: Lastly, I applied CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine Lipshine in Unique (not available in the UK), a reddish berry pink with gold sparkles.
Want more from the Oscars? Watch the red carpet highlights, or the best bits from the Academy Awards.
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