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The artistry behind the camera took center stage Saturday night as the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS) honored the best in the industry. Leading the pack were three Best Picture Oscar nominees: One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Frankenstein, sweeping the film categories at the 13th annual MUAHS Awards. The ceremony, held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, celebrated outstanding achievement in makeup and hair styling across film, television, music videos, and live theater.
One Battle After Another secured wins for both Best Contemporary Make-Up and Best Contemporary Hair Styling, while Sinners claimed the top prizes for Best Period and/or Character Make-Up and Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein was recognized with the award for Best Special Make-Up Prosthetics. These wins highlight the significant impact of hair and makeup in bringing these visually striking films to life, and position them as strong contenders as awards season continues.
The MUAHS Awards have become a reliable indicator of potential Oscar success. Historically, winners of the MUAHS Awards often move on to win the Academy Award for Best Makeup, and Hairstyling. Last year, The Substance took home the Oscar after being recognized by the guild. This year, Frankenstein and Sinners are both nominated for the Oscar in the category, with Frankenstein currently favored to win, according to predictions from Gold Derby.
Beyond the Feature Films
The awards weren’t limited to feature films. Television productions also received recognition, with The Studio and Palm Royale each winning two awards. Stranger Things: Season 5, Saturday Night Live, Dancing With the Stars, and the Star Wars series Skeleton Crew also took home honors. The complete list of winners demonstrates the breadth of talent and creativity within the industry.
Lifetime Achievement and Vanguard Awards
The MUAHS Awards also honored individuals for their contributions to the field. Amy Madigan received the Distinguished Artisan Award, presented by Weapons director Zach Cregger alongside Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat and Jason Collins. Michael Johnston, a veteran makeup artist known for his work on Nickelodeon series like All That and iCarly, was presented with the Vanguard Award by Frankie Grande.
Further accolades were bestowed upon Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning makeup artist Greg Nelson, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Make-Up, presented by Robert Patrick and David Hussey. Renowned hairstylist Judy Alexander Cory was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Hair Stylists, recognizing her 60-year career, presented by Kathy Bates.
2026 MUAHS Awards: A Complete List of Winners
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the 2026 MUAHS Awards winners:
- FEATURE-LENGTH MOTION PICTURE
- Best Contemporary Make-Up: One Battle After Another — Heba Thorisdottir, Mandy Artusato
- Best Period and/or Character Make-Up: Sinners — Ken Diaz, Siân Richards, Ned Neidhardt, Allison LaCour, Lana Mora
- Best Special Make-Up Prosthetics: Frankenstein — Mike Hill, Megan Many
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling: One Battle After Another — Ahou Mofid, Gina Maria DeAngelis, Sacha Quarles
- Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling: Sinners — Shunika Terry-Jennings, Elizabeth Robinson, Tene Wilder, Jove Edmond, Sherri B. Hamilton
- TELEVISION SERIES — LIMITED, MINISERIES OR MOVIE FOR TELEVISION
- Best Contemporary Make-Up: The Studio — Jorjee Douglass, Gillian Whitlock, Robin Glaser, Cassie Lyons, James Freitas
- Best Period and/or Character Make-Up: Palm Royale — Tricia Sawyer, Marissa Lafayette, Marie DelPrete, Rory Gaudio, Alyssa Goldberg
- Best Special Make-Up Prosthetics: Stranger Things: Season 5 — Barrie Gower, Mike Mekash, Duncan Jarman
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling: The Studio — Vanessa Price, Alexandra Ford, Lauren McKeever
- Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling: Palm Royale — Karen Bartek, Brittany Madrigal, Tiffany Bloom, Anna Quinn, Jill Crosby
- TELEVISION SPECIAL, ONE HOUR OR MORE LIVE PROGRAM SERIES
- Best Contemporary Make-Up: Saturday Night Live — Louie Zakarian, Amy Tagliamonti, Jason Milani, Young Bek, Madison Bermudez
- Best Period and/or Character Make-Up and/or Prosthetics: Saturday Night Live — Louie Zakarian, Jason Milani, Amy Tagliamonti, Joanna Pisani, Kim Weber
- Best Contemporary Hair Styling: Dancing With the Stars — Marion Rogers, Brittany Spaulding, Amber Nicholle Maher, Florence Witherspoon, Regina Rodriguez
- Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling: Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special — Jodi Mancuso, Cara Hannah, Amanda Duffy Evans, Gina Ferrucci, Brittany Hartman
- CHILDREN AND TEEN TELEVISION
- Best Make-Up: Skeleton Crew — Samantha Ward, Sonia Cabrera, Cristina Waltz, Alexei Dmitriew, Adina Sullivan
- Best Hair Styling: Skeleton Crew — Lane Friedman, Nanxy Tong-Heater, Richard DeAlba, Roxane Griffin
- COMMERCIALS &. MUSIC VIDEOS
- Best Make-Up: Lady Gaga — “Abracadabra” — Sarah Tanno, Phuong Tran
- Best Hair Styling: Walmart “WhoKnewVille” Holiday Campaign — Dean Banowetz, Amber Nicholle Maher, Johnny Lomeli, Maria Sandoval, Myo Lai
- THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (LIVE STAGE)
- California Regional Live Theater Production: Make-Up and Hair Styling: The Monkey King — Jeanna Parham, Christina Martin, Erin Hennessy, Maur Sela
- Broadway and International Live Theater Production: Make-Up and Hair Styling: Frankenstein — Lisa Ruth Zomer, Thomas Richards-Keyes, Timothy Santry
As the awards season progresses, all eyes will be on the Academy Awards to see if the MUAHS Guild’s choices will translate to Oscar gold. The success of these films and the recognition of their talented makeup and hair teams underscore the vital role these artists play in cinematic storytelling.
What are your thoughts on the MUAHS winners? Share your predictions for the Oscars in the comments below!