As we prepare for the 2019 Oscars [1], we can't help but reflect on how far all of the best actress nominees have come, both when it comes to their successful careers and (ahem) the many hair and makeup styles that have accompanied them through the years. (After all, with each award ceremony comes a new opportunity to reinvent yourself, and some of them have been in this business for decades.)
Thankfully for us, we still have access to many of the early photos to eliminate some of the guesswork. Will they stick to the script and go with one of their signature staples or opt to switch things up once again with a lip colour or hairstyle that's of their comfort zone? From breezy, sun-kissed California vibes to full-on smoke signals (and who could forget the many different — and very colourful — looks of one Miss Gaga?), click through to browse some of the beauty looks Glenn Close (The Wife), Lady Gaga [2] (A Star Is Born), Olivia Colman (The Favourite), Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), and Yalitza Aparicio (Roma) wore to some of their earlier red carpet events.
Don't forget to tune in to the awards Sunday, Feb. 24!
Glenn Close, 1984
Early in her career, Close highlighted her glowing skin in the best possible way: with minimal makeup. She paired this stark Victorian frock (interesting choice, there) with a fresh face and a thoroughly '80s updo for the 1984 Oscars — she was up for best actress in a supporting role that year for The Big Chill.
Glenn Close, 1985
By the following year, Close had gone blond! She complimented her Hollywood hair by amping up her makeup. She sported a bold lip to represent The Natural at the 1985 Oscars, when she lost out on best actress in a supporting role again.
Glenn Close, 2004
Fast-forwarding to 2004, Close kept it breezy in a pop of blush, shades and a light pink, ruffled gown at the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.
Melissa McCarthy, 2011
The Can You Ever Forgive Me? nominee, whose last Oscars nomination was for best supporting actress (Bridesmaids), looked ravishingly retro with side-swept pin-curls, bright blush and a pink lip at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards in West Hollywood.
Melissa McCarthy, 2012
A subtle smoky eye and liner made McCarthy's green eyes pop at the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles. She completed her look with a rosy lip and bombshell waves.
Melissa McCarthy, 2012
McCarthy kept her makeup look simple, opting for soft grey shadow and a nude lip, at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills as to not compete with her pompadour half-updo and tassel earrings.
Lady Gaga, 2008
She stuck with the long, bleached hair look while visiting MTV's Total Request Live in 2008. The bold orange lip is shockingly on-trend for 2019, but the white eyeshadow paired with blue liner? Not so much.
Lady Gaga, 2009
Gaga experimented with pink-lights throughout her curly bob at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, taking her smoky eye to the next level with a full lid of heavy metal and graphic liner.
Olivia Colman, 2012
The Favourite nominee (who has already taken home a Golden Globe Award for best actress for her role in the film) exuded elegance with a classic coif, touch of bronze and sheer lip at the 56th BFI London Film Festival Awards in London.
Olivia Colman, 2013
Colman rocked a side-part at the Broadcasting Press Guild TV and Radio Awards in London. Long lashes and liner brought out her eyes amidst an otherwise natural-looking palette.
Olivia Colman, 2013
Colman achieved new heights with textured curls at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards in London, opting for slightly-winged eye liner and completing her look with small chandelier earrings.
Yalitza Aparicio, 2018
The Roma nominee, who made her film debut just recently as Cleo in the 2018 drama, harnessed the power of a bold red lip, keeping the rest of her palette natural with the exception of a sheer smoky eye at the 22nd Annual Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills. Her side-parted bun completed the fresh look. (She's so new to the scene that we don't even have dated looks to make fun of, sorry!)
Yalitza Aparicio, 2018
Aparicio opted for a natural, dewy glow with pops of gold and champagne at the 10th Annual Governors Awards Gala in Hollywood, allowing her long, loose waves to cascade down her brightly-patterned dress.
Yalitza Aparicio, 2018
Aparicio rocked a bronzed eye, lip and cheek at IFP's 28th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York City, pairing the look with a side-part and straight, sleek (and shiny!) strands.