The Oscar nominations for Best Makeup and Hairstyling contained no surprises (it was one of two categories where my final predictions were 100% correct), so now all eyes turn to the remainder of the season for our potential winner. In February, Coming 2 America dominated this year’s awards from the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild, so perhaps it’s a stronger contender than we’re giving it credit for.
Then again, it’s the kind of over-the-top prosthetics work the guild would normally lap up, so its victories were hardly surprising. Academy members are far more likely to honour a film with nominations elsewhere; something Coming 2 America does not have. Nor does House of Gucci. So this is really a three-horse race between Dune, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Cruella.
Much like almost every technical category, Dune has the edge for the moment. But now that Jessica Chastain is rising as the potential frontrunner for Best Actress, that could bode well here for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. It would feel reminiscent of makeup and hairstyling wins for The Iron Lady in 2011 and La Vie en Rose in 2007; both of which also scored Best Actress victories. One could even say Viola Davis’ strong chances for a Best Actress win last year for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom certainly helped its makeup and hairstyling campaign too.
So what will shape this race before Oscar voting commences on March 17? BAFTA and Critics Choice will reveal their winners on March 13. All five Oscar nominees except Coming 2 America are nominated at both ceremonies, so we’ll see if their choices shine a light on who the true frontrunner is.
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING PREDICTIONS:
1. Dune (Warner Bros.)
2. The Eyes of Tammy Faye (Searchlight Pictures)
3. Cruella (Disney)
4. Coming 2 America (Amazon Studios)
5. House of Gucci (MGM)