Must-See Hair and Makeup Moments From the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

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The Critics' Choice Awards honor the best directors, producers, and actors behind some of the most renowned cinematic productions over the last year. That means each show's red carpet boasts the biggest celebrities of the season, and the 2023 event on Jan. 15 is proving no different. While the night has only just begun, it's clear stars are bringing their beauty A games, showing up to the festivities in their Sunday evening best.

After last year's awards — which were the first ones back since the COVID-19 pandemic — there will be big shoes to fill. Some of our favorite beauty looks from the 2022 Critics' Choice Awards were created by some of Hollywood's best hairstylists, makeup artists, and nail artists in the game, making the night a breeding ground for creativity and glam. There were floating winged eyeliner looks and sky-high updos, and things are looking just as eventful on the beauty front this year.

So far, Anya Taylor-Joy stunned in a voluminous updo, Kate Hudson wore an ever-trendy glazed-doughnut french manicure, and Natasha Lyonne wore an eyeshadow look that rivaled her "jellyfish" ponytail from the 2023 Golden Globes just a week prior.

Ahead, see the best hair and makeup from the Critics' Choice Awards, and admire the true beauty of Hollywood's biggest celebrities.

Janelle Monáe at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Janelle Monáe at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Monáe wore black and white half-moon nails that complemented her all-black sheer gown.

Anya Taylor-Joy at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Anya Taylor-Joy at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Taylor-Joy paired her neutral "rich girl" nails with a Dior dress, voluminous updo, and bronzed smoky eye.

Kerry Washington at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Kerry Washington at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Washington wore glazed-doughnut nails at the red carpet event that complemented her gown.

Lily James at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Lily James at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

James wore her hair up in a low bun with swooped side bangs. The look was created by celebrity hairstylist Halley Brisker using Nexxus products. "The inspiration for this style was a slight nod to Audrey Hepburn with a classic paired-back feel to complement the outfit and its silhouette," Brisker said in a press release.

Celebrity makeup artist Sofia Tilbury did James's glam using Charlotte Tilbury products, and tanning expert Jenni Blafer gave her a bronzed glow using Sol by Jergens.

Kate Hudson at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Kate Hudson at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Hudson looked stunning in a gold backless dress. She paired it with straight hair and a glazed-doughnut french manicure.

Viola Davis at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Viola Davis at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Davis wore chrome nails and a shimmery eye-makeup look to complement her sparkly brown gown.

Quinta Brunson at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Quinta Brunson at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Brunson's chrome nails, by manicurist Temeka Jackson using Aprés Nail extensions, and topknot hairstyle, by celebrity stylist Alexander Armand using Maui Moisture and Olivia Garden products, matched the drama of her gown. Her makeup was by Renée Loiz using Charlotte Tilbury products.

Aubrey Plaza at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Aubrey Plaza at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend styled Plaza's blond hair into a slicked-back updo using Sol de Janeiro and Olivia Garden hot tools. Meanwhile, makeup artist Kathy Jeung used Charlotte Tilbury products on her face.

Phoebe Dynevor at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Phoebe Dynevor at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Dynevor looked ethereal with her hair pulled back into a loose updo with face-framing pieces.

Amanda Seyfried at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Amanda Seyfried at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Seyfried was a gilded goddess in a gold dress and matching gold chrome nails. She finished the look with a deep red lip to provide contrast.

Julia Garner at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Julia Garner at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Garner went for an all-red ensemble, matching her lipstick to her sheer two-piece dress. Her hair was styled by celebrity hairstylist Bobby Eliot using René Furterer and T3 products. "Julia's Ferragamo dress [is] modern and chic. She's also wearing Bulgari jewels. We wanted the hair to feel chic, clean, and minimal to complement the look," he says. "I relied on my T3 AireLuxe Hair Dryer ($200) and T3 Smooth ID Flat Iron ($249) to smooth out her curly hair."

Anna Sawai at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Anna Sawai at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Sawai's sleek hairstyle featured a fun detail in the back that you might have missed at first: around her bun was a gold cuff.

Angela Bassett at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Angela Bassett at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Bassett nailed her look, from the strapless gown to the crisp white nails and slicked-back hairstyle with the deep side part. Her hair was by celebrity hairstylist Randy Stodghill using Phyto products.

"Angela is a sophisticated woman who has style and class," Stodghill said in a press release. "She doesn't follow trends or try to be something she's not — and this is what we wanted to capture in her look tonight."

Natasha Lyonne at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Natasha Lyonne at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Lyonne went for an avant-garde eyeshadow look using red and black shadow to complement her jewelry and nails.

Madelyn Cline at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Madelyn Cline at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Cline exemplified Old Hollywood glamour, from her deep side part and tucked lob to her neutral smoky eye. Celebrity makeup artist Jen Tioseco did her look using all E.l.f. Cosmetics products.

Sarah Hyland at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Sarah Hyland at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Hyland's shag haircut and wispy, eyebrow-grazing bangs were the stars of her Critics' Choice Awards outfit. Her nails were by manicurist Thuy Nguyen using Aprés Nail extensions.

Stephanie Hsu at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Stephanie Hsu at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Hsu went for a clean makeup look and hairstyle, allowing her dress to be the star of the show. The shimmery shadow reaching up to her brow bone added to her dewy complexion. Her hair was by celebrity hairstylist Dallin James using Hairstory products.

Quannah Chasinghorse at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards
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Quannah Chasinghorse at the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards

Chasinghorse opted for soft satin skin at this year's Critics' Choice Awards, allowing her Indigenous face tattoos to truly shine.