The Best Beauty Looks At The 2026 Critics Choice Awards

Tonight, the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards—held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California—marks the first major awards show of 2026. While the Golden Globes and Oscars are less than a month away, tonight’s show sets the tone for what’s trending now, and what we’ll see next, when it comes to Hollywood glam. 

It’s safe to say pixie cuts weren’t left in 2025 (thankfully!) with Teyana Taylor’s jet black crop cut. However, updos were surprisingly more popular tonight. Sheryl Lee Ralph, for example, is turning us onto ponytails this season with a hair-wrapped power pony. In the same breath, Danielle Brooks and Jessica Williams followed suit: the former opted for a cropped ponytail while the latter tied hers up with a little black ribbon. Meanwhile, Wunmi Mosaku accessorized her twisted updo with a single braid across the front. 

There’s proof celebrities agreed on updos. But, manicures pointed out an interesting divide. On one hand, Janelle James rocked sparkling metallic nails, and, on the other, nude reigned supreme with Quinta Brunson, a pregnant Krys Marshall, and virtually everyone else. 

On the note of makeup, a few red lips here and there (think: Shunika Terry-Jennings) added color to the otherwise natural glamour we saw tonight. While there was a fair share of light nude lipstick and sculpting blush, Skye P. Marshall’s mocha brown lip, powdery shadow, and bronzed cheeks proved just how good deep-toned nudes look on Black women.

Ahead, take a look at all the best celebrity beauty moments from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.

Teyana Taylor

Chase Infiniti

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Danielle Brooks

Wunmi Mosaku

Jessica Williams

Janelle James

Quinta Brunson

Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler

Shunika Terry-Jennings

Krys Marshall

Skye P. Marshall

Donna Jordan and Michael B. Jordan

Ryan Michelle Bathe

Nicole Beharie

Ruth E. Carter

Damian Marcano

Ego Nwodim

Denée Benton