Everyone Went *Big* With Their Beauty Looks At The 2023 Emmy Awards

It’s been a long time coming. After last year’s labor guild strikes pushed the ceremony from its usual September slot to Jan. 14, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards are finally here — and its red carpet, broadcasting live from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, is already making up for lost time. Celebrating the very best in television production, the annual event is always one of the more fun, exciting, and expressive nights for celebrity style in every form. The best beauty looks at the 2023 Emmy Awards feel like full-fledged party style, a whirlwind blend of color, texture, trends, and classics alike.

To put a tricky concept simply, tonight’s event is focusing on television programming from June 1, 2022 to May 21, 2023. The show was originally slated for last September, but the Hollywood labor strikes postponed it to early January. However, the 2024 Emmys (stay with me here), will air as planned this fall. Really, it just means twice as many incredible updos, double the makeup trends, and tons of extra glamour.

The red carpet’s earliest arrivals like E! pre-show host Laverne Cox and Padma Lakshmi made a bold splash initial splash with jewel-colored eye makeup and head-turning finishes. Meanwhile, Quinta Brunson and Claire Danes are going the sweetheart route with adorable pink dresses with the rosy makeup and big curls to match.

Ahead, explore the very best hair, makeup, skin, and nails of the 2023 Emmy Awards.

Suki Waterhouse

Radiant doesn’t even begin to cover Waterhouse’s luminous, feature-emphasizing makeup by Benjamin Puckey, who used Naked Sundays’ upcoming launch, the Cabana Glow SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum Drops, for glow and KISS Lashes in new style Pearl Earring to nail her signature cat-eye. Meanwhile, her artfully messy mop of curls and long, lash-skimming bangs comes courtesy of Jennifer Yepez.

Elizabeth Debicki

Sleek, chic, and dressed up in a must-have manicure color of winter 2024, Debicki is all about fusing edge with elegance. Hairstylist DJ Quintero gave her the flat iron job of a lifetime using Living Proof products, including the Perfect hair Day Heat Styling Spray. Makeup artist Nina Park worked with Guerlain to paint on laser-precise eyeliner.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

A top contender for best hair of the evening, Ralph’s voluminous flipped lob, styled by Sharif Poston was the perfect accompaniment to her steely, smoky eye makeup (courtesy of celebrity pro Keita Moore and Maybelline).

Meghann Fahy

Blowouts don’t come better than the one Jacob Rozenberg created for Fahy using TRESemmé products, including the brand’s new Keratin Smooth Weightless Silky Shine Spray. Meanwhile, celebrity makeup artist Emily Cheng created her dreamy eye-lip combo.

Sarah Snook

Radiant in red, Snook let her bold scarlet gown — and stunning copper hair color — take center stage by keeping her side-part simple (and so Shiv Roy coded) and her makeup, applied by artist Monika Blunder using products from her eponymous line, soft and defined.

Taraji P. Henson

Movement seems to be the operative theme of Henson’s Emmys look, with her flowing gown and waterfall-like wet-look waves. As a surprise detail, though, notice the way her chrome nails match her delicate silver heels. The actor’s makeup also coordinated with her outfit. Makeup artist Saisha Beecham turned to her plum gown for inspo, using L’Oréal Paris products to make her cheeks pop. Tym Wallace styled her hair for the evening, also using products from TPH by Taraji, L’Oréal, plus ghd’s new Chronos Styler.

Jessica Chastain

Leaning into an all-over sleekness, Chastain emphasizes her deep side-part with a stick-straight hairstyle, and tons of lashes. Her pale, flesh-colored manicure keeps the focus on her neon gown. Renato Campora worked on her ‘70s-inspired hairstyle, using Hair Rituel by Sisley-Paris products, while makeup artist Kristofer Buckle used Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics for a defined face.

Camila Morrone

Morrone’s warm, radiant skin is the perfect canvas for her soft smoky eye. To create a glowing complexion, makeup artist Mary Phillips turned to the combo of NARS’ Light Reflecting Foundation, Radiant Creamy Concealer, and Laguna Bronzing Cream. Hairstylist Bryce Scarlett complimented the look with a bombshell blowout styled using Drybar products.

Joy Sunday

Sunday is one of the many celebs who embraced soft, romantic makeup at the Emmys. Her makeup artist Sheika Daley created a shimmery neutral eye using shades from Lancôme’s Hypnôse 5- Color Eyeshadow palette in Taupe Craze and topped it off with Elora Lane 3D Mink Lashes and Lancôme’s Big Monsieur Mascara. A swipe of the brand’s L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Soft Matte Lipstick in 440 Got Me Blushing and Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss in 01 Pure tied the entire look together.

Jenna Ortega

Ortega’s Emmys look hinges on the perfect amount of pastels. Her eyes feature the slightest hint of gown-matching lavender shadow, while her cheeks look so naturally rosy. Makeup artist Melanie Inglessis reached for a handful of Dior makeup in order to create the soft color palette, including the Diorshow 5 Couleurs Palette in Soft Cashmere, Diorshow On Stage Crayon in Plum, and Rosy Glow Blush in Pink.

Kathryn Hahn

As far as makeup goes, lipstick is in a league of its own. A few swipes instantly results in an effortlessly glamorous beauty moment. Just take Hahn’s Emmys look as proof. While her berry lip is the focal point, makeup artist Fiona Stiles really made the color pop by pairing it with a dewy base. She prepped the actor’s skin with radiant-boosting products, including Yon-Ka Paris’ Hydra No.1 Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Phyto Contour Eye Cream, and Creme 28 Hydratant Douceur. For even more glow, she added ADDICTION TOKYO’s The Glow Stick in Feel The Heat, See The Light to Hahn’s cheekbones and orbital bone.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Has mod style ever been executed so perfectly? From her flipped-out, high-hoisted ponytail to her red lipstick and cap-sleeved gown, Ross is retro excellence.

Issa Rae

No one can deny the grip the hair accessories trend has on celebrities, but has it ever been taken to this level? The delicate, floating feathers in her gown are scattered through her low bun, too, giving her a light-as-air effect. Rae’s makeup was equally glamorous, thanks to the carefully-considered “winter-cool shimmer” Joanna Simkin added to the actor’s eyes, cheeks, and lips. In addition to Chanel’s Ombre Première Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow in Rayon, the makeup artist used the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Winter Blush in Mauve Glacé and 31 Le Rouge Satin Lipstick in Rouge Beige.

Selena Gomez

Gomez is a vampy vision in her dark red sequined gown, complete with a deep velvet lip look by makeup artist Hung Vanngo. She always stuns when leaning into a sultry moment, and this might be one of her all-time bests. Vanngo used Lashify extensions to balance out the striking Rare Beauty lipstick. Hairstylist Marisa Marino crafted a loose, elegant updo with the help of Tangle Teezer brushes.

Aubrey Plaza

Deep, eye-grabbing lip looks are a theme of the evening, like Plaza’s plum-colored gloss. She balances her super modern gown with a retro hairstyle, her voluminous, Mark Townsend-styled pouf reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot. He used Olaplex products to lock in the style, while celebrity makeup artist Kathy Jeung used L’Oréal Paris makeup.

Jennifer Coolidge

If there were ever a ‘60s icon reincarnate, it’s Coolidge. All of her signatures are in place — including her teased crown, curtain bangs, and smoky eye makeup — and it all combines to excellent effect. Makeup artist Hung Vanngo used a custom mix of Lashify extensions to create her fluttery lashes.

Ayo Edebiri

The Bear star’s cheekbone highlighter is so perfectly placed and luminous, it’s brilliant even through the screen. Her adorable bob is again gently flipped, one of her favorite ‘60s nods, while her nails are a fun shade of bronze. Edebiri’s hair comes courtesy of Ro Morgan and Maui Moisture products, along with Olivia Garden tools.

Riley Keough

It’s all about soft shimmer with Keough’s silver-tinged Emmy’s look. There’s the gentle metallic finish of her steely eyeshadow (makeup artist Mai Quynh used Chanel’s Ombre Première Libre Loose Eyeshadow Intense, Longwear Colour in Mûrier Noir) and, of course, the shine on her satin hair bow — but her skin luminosity is next-level. But no hair accessory makes a statement unless it’s worn with a solid style, so stylist Gregory Russell tag-teamed the actor’s strands with Pureology’s Style + Protect Weightless Volume Mousse and Style + Protect Instant Levitation Mist to bump up the volume of her ‘60s-inspired ponytail.

Katherine Heigl

The Marilyn Monroe energy simply cannot be contained. Not only does Heigl’s retro-curled lob nod to the silver screen legend, but so does her red, vinyl-finish lip color.

Ali Wong

It’s impossible to look away from Wong’s peacock-blue eyeshadow, artfully blended out above her fluttery lashes for the best pop of color. Her signature cat-eye glasses only magnifies the cool-toned shade. If Wong has influenced you to give blue shadow a shot, why not got for it with the exact products her makeup artist, Daniel Martin, has in his kit? His lineup included Dior’s Diorshow 5 Couleurs Palettes in Denim and Peid-De-Poule, plus the Diorshow On Stage Crayon in Blue. Wong’s hair was styled in bouncy, loose waves by Clayton Hawkins using ghd’s Chronos Styler and Soft Curl Curling Iron.

Quinta Brunson

It doesn’t get prettier than Brunson’s Valentine-pink gown, complete with candy-pink blush and a matching lip look. To take the rosy vibes even further, her full, classic curls feel like flower bud centers. Celebrity makeup artist Kasha Lassien perfected the pink-on-pink look with Beautyblender, including the Bounce Always On Radiant Skin Tint. Meanwhile, hairstylist Alexander Armand worked on her flowing curls using TPH by Taraji products.

Niecy Nash

Full, flowing mermaid waves — styled by Davontae Washington using TPH by Taraji products — are impossibly ethereal on Nash, especially with her timeless off-the-shoulder gown, which happened to be a custom piece. Her sharp stiletto liner completes the look, adding an extra sultry element.

Claire Danes

Pink is an early contender for most popular makeup shade of the night, as evidenced by Danes’ cotton candy blush and soft lip shade. Her lob’s big, looping curls add a sculptural element to the delicate look.

Laverne Cox

E!’s beloved red carpet host set the bar incredibly high in a vintage Mugler gown, its captivating shine reflected in her glittery turquoise eye makeup and glossy ombré ponytail.

Jenna Lyons

The newly-minted reality TV queen is all about the work-play combo with her Emmys look. The sharp, slicked-down side-part is all business, but it’s balanced by her glossy lips and sheer blouse.

Padma Lakshmi

Matchy-matchy makeup continues to be one of the most fun (and freshest) red carpet trends of 2024, and Lakshmi perfectly demonstrates its power. Her orchid-pink lip plays beautifully off her violet-toned eye makeup.