If we learned anything from our favorite stars’ 2026 Oscars makeup, it’s that ballet slipper lips are here to stay. This soft, nostalgic look evokes the look of pink satin—and it couldn’t be easier to try out for yourself. Looking for a way to freshen up your lip combo for spring? Red carpet-worthy inspo, right this way.
The Academy Awards marks the end of awards season—and, for many, a true transition point from winter to spring. This year, attendees are embracing pastel tones in both in fashion and makeup choices. While we’ve seen plenty of muted makeup trends like cloud lips on earlier red carpets, the ‘ballet slipper’ look keeps the soft-focus effect while adding a bit of playfulness. It usually involves a cool-toned pink base and a frosted finish (a nod to the trend’s early aughts roots).
As these Oscars makeup looks prove, there are plenty of ways to modernize ballet slipper lips for 2026. You can opt for a glossy finish rather than a classic Y2K shimmer, or combine the trend with the viral ‘blurred lip’ technique: “I like to fill in the entire lip with the lip liner and then apply the color on top for the lipstick to last longer and to achieve the shade you desire,” Allan Avendaño, a celebrity makeup artist on the L’Oréal Paris League of Experts, told Glamour.
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L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Ballerina Shoes
Feeling inspired? Ahead, see some of our favorite ballet slipper beauty looks from the 2026 Oscars red carpet.
McKenna Grace
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Mckenna Grace attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)Frazer Harrison