By Rifan Muazin 
Attendees this year showcased a diverse spectrum of styles that moved far beyond the rigid "clean-shaven" protocol of Hollywood’s Golden Age. We saw a resurgence of the ’70s-inspired "dirtbag" mustache, the architectural precision of the reverse-fade beard, and the classic, salt-and-pepper maturity of the well-maintained goatee. These weren’t merely accidents of scheduling or skipped morning shaves; they were deliberate stylistic statements designed to frame faces that were broadcast to millions. Below, we provide an analytical deep dive into our favorite facial hair moments from the 2026 Academy Awards, definitively ranked.
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Jacob Elordi
The Australian actor’s trajectory from teen heartthrob to prestige cinema mainstay has been mirrored by his increasingly experimental approach to grooming. Elordi, who has been generating significant buzz for his performance in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, has navigated the 2026 awards season with a rotating gallery of facial hair styles. He has vacillated between the "baby-faced" leading man look and what critics have affectionately termed the "’70s dirtbag" aesthetic. For the Oscars, the 28-year-old landed squarely in the middle of the road. His upper lip sported a mustache that was prominent but stopped just short of the full Tom Selleck "chevron" density. While it lacked the commitment of a truly bushy stache, it served as a sophisticated counterpoint to his classic tuxedo. In the current landscape of men’s style, as long as Elordi avoids the unkempt "Castaway" beard of his earlier hiatuses, he remains one of the most reliable style icons of his generation. -
Josh Groban
The five-time Grammy nominee may not have been in contention for a statuette this year, but his presence was vital to the telecast’s energy. Groban lent his legendary vocal chops to host Conan O’Brien’s opening musical number, a satirical piece extolling the virtues of Hollywood’s inherent self-centeredness. Groban’s grooming choice for the night was a full, impressively dense beard that signaled a transition from the "boyish crooner" of the early 2000s to a seasoned veteran of the stage and screen. The beard was meticulously shaped, providing a rugged frame for his face without detracting from his expressive performance. In an era where many vocalists opt for a polished, clean look to maintain a "pop" appeal, Groban’s embrace of the full beard added a layer of gravitas to his appearance. -
Wagner Moura
Wagner Moura arrived at the Dolby Theater as a Best Actor nominee for his transformative role in The Secret Agent. While the film required a more robust, period-accurate beard, Moura chose to pare things down for the red carpet. He opted for a close-cut, tailored beard that highlighted the natural salt-and-pepper transition of his hair. This "distinguished gentleman" look is a far cry from the jet-black, menacing mustache he famously sported during his tenure as Pablo Escobar in Narcos. By leaning into his natural greying process, Moura provided a masterclass in how to age gracefully under the unforgiving lights of the paparazzi. The texture of his beard complemented his Zegna ensemble, proving that sometimes, less is more when it comes to facial hair density. -
Miles Caton
At just 21 years old, Miles Caton has rapidly become the face of a new generation of Hollywood blockbusters. The "I Lied to You" singer, who brought a haunting, cinematic energy to the Oscar stage with a performance from the Sinners soundtrack, proved that you don’t need decades of testosterone to make a facial hair statement. Though his facial hair is still in its developing stages, Caton leaned into the "youthful rebel" aesthetic with a ’90s-era chin puff. This choice served as a deliberate punctuation mark for his appearance, bridging the gap between high-fashion sophistication and Gen Z edge. It was a risky move that could have easily looked accidental, but on Caton, it felt like a purposeful nod to the grunge-era icons of decades past. -
Steven Spielberg
The legendary director is no stranger to the Academy Awards, and over the decades, his facial hair has become as much a part of his brand as his cinematic eye. At the 2026 Oscars, the "Silver Fox" of directing decided to pair his classic black tuxedo with a perfectly kempt goatee. Spielberg’s grooming has always reflected his status: professional, authoritative, yet approachable. The goatee was trimmed with mathematical precision, framing his mouth and adding a sense of structure to his face. It is a look that suggests a man who is in total control of his craft, proving that even the most established figures in the industry can find ways to refresh their signature style. -
Kumail Nanjiani
Stubble was a dominant trend on the 2026 red carpet, but few managed to execute it with the intentionality of Kumail Nanjiani. The former Oscar nominee has undergone a well-documented physical transformation in recent years, and his grooming has evolved to match his more defined features. To avoid the "I forgot to shave" trap, Nanjiani’s groomer kept the outlines of his stubble incredibly sharp, particularly along the cheekbones and neckline. This technique, often referred to as "the permanent five o’clock shadow," requires more maintenance than it looks. By keeping the perimeter neat, Nanjiani ensured the look felt like a deliberate style choice, adding a layer of rugged masculinity to his polished formal wear. -
Shaboozey
The artist Shaboozey has emerged as a premier red carpet disruptor, blending traditional Americana with high-fashion sensibilities. Whether he is rocking a Ralph Lauren tuxedo-and-jeans hybrid or a modernized Campillo tailcoat, his grooming is always a focal point. For the 2026 Oscars, he debuted a "reverse fade" beard. This architectural style starts thin at the sideburns and gains density as it moves toward the chin, effectively elongating the face and creating a sharp, modern silhouette. When paired with his signature dreadlocks, the beard provided a balanced, symmetrical look that was among the most unique of the evening. Shaboozey is proving that the modern cowboy aesthetic isn’t just about the clothes; it’s about the precision of the silhouette from the neck up. -
Ryan Coogler
As the director of Sinners and a first-time Oscar winner on this historic night, Ryan Coogler was arguably the most meticulously groomed individual in the building. His hair featured cornrows with an inconspicuous, masterful guitar design woven into the scalp—a subtle nod to the musical themes of his film. His beard was equally impressive, lined up with surgical precision to frame his jawline. Notably, Coogler allowed his mustache to grow slightly longer than the rest of his beard, a technique that accents the face shape and adds a subtle "leading man" flair to the director’s chair. It was a look that communicated both artistic depth and red-carpet readiness. -
Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke has spent the 2026 awards circuit embracing a rugged, almost literary aesthetic. After appearing at the Actor Awards looking like a swashbuckling pirate, the Blue Moon star pivoted toward a Western-inspired "gunslinger" look for the Oscars. He sported a scruffy, slightly unkempt goatee that perfectly matched his reputation as the "indie darling" who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Hawke’s facial hair often feels like an extension of his current character work, and this iteration suggested a man who had just stepped off a ranch and into a tuxedo. It was authentic, slightly weathered, and undeniably cool. -
Michael B. Jordan
Newly minted Best Actor winner Michael B. Jordan took home the night’s biggest prize, and he did so while maintaining his status as one of Hollywood’s best-groomed men. Jordan has rarely deviated from his signature look, but for the 2026 Oscars, he opted for a disconnected goatee that was polished to a high sheen. His groomer, Tasha Reiko Brown, revealed to GQ that the secret to his photo-ready appearance was the strategic use of Toppik Hair Building Fibers. "Even for perfect beards, bright light may shine through," Brown noted. "I always keep the fibers handy to add depth." This attention to detail ensured that Jordan looked flawless in every high-definition close-up, especially during his emotional acceptance speech. With a box-office-shattering smile and a beard to match, Jordan was the embodiment of the modern movie star. -
Leonardo DiCaprio
The single biggest grooming shock of the night belonged to Leonardo DiCaprio. In a move that set social media ablaze, the famously clean-shaven (or occasionally lightly stubbled) DiCaprio appeared with a robust, Old Hollywood mustache. This was made even more ironic by the fact that Pedro Pascal, usually the industry’s premier mustache ambassador, showed up completely baby-faced. The "Great Mustache Swap of 2026" became an instant meme, but the logic behind Leo’s look was rooted in his craft. The mustache is reportedly for his role in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film, What Happens at Night. Despite being a "work-in-progress" for a character, the mustache lent DiCaprio a newfound sense of maturity and masculine gravity. It transformed his appearance, moving him away from the "eternal boy" aesthetic and toward a more seasoned, classic cinema icon status. It was the boldest, most discussed, and ultimately most successful facial hair moment of the 2026 Oscars.
